Platinum Gymnastics and Operation Dreamseed School Supply Drive
In August, Board Member Cyndi Gonzalez and Executive Director Daya Watkins, held their first school supply drive in Austin, TX. Operation Dreamseed partnered with Platinum Gymnastics who hosted the Level II, III, and IV District Qualifier Gymnastics Meet. Over 300 young gymnasts from all over Texas were in attendance. As a part of the meet, Operation Dreamseed issued a challenge to all participating gyms and gymnasts. The challenge was to see which gym and which gymnast could donate the most school supplies. The top 3 teams and the top gymnast from each gym received awards.
The challenge was well received, which was evident as teams brought in bags and bags of school supplies. These school supplies, along with supplies collected through out the year were boxed and shipped to Operation Dreamseed Soldier contact, Major Veronica Ko. Veronica is currently deployed to Afghanistan. Cyndi recently received an email from Veronica who confirmed she received the 6 boxes and they were a big hit with the children.
In addition, Operation Dreamseed sold yellow ribbon car magnets, pencils, t-shirts, and completed school supply kits. Gymnasts and parents had the opportunity to write encouraging words to our troops.
ODS would like to extend their thanks to Platinum Gymnastics for supporting Operation Dreamseed and helping us host this school supply drive. This was our first school supply drive in meet atmosphere, and its success was due to the help and support of Platinum Gymnastics. We hope to host another challenge in 2011.
Bankers help Operation Dreamseed
In July Frost Bank of Texas donated pens, pencils, and rulers. With over 100 of each, Operation Dreamseed could now complete individual kits be sent to Afghanistan. Operation Dreamseed, Inc. Board member Cyndi Gonzalez, and her fellow bankers, were able to put together school supplies that were donated throughout the year, along with the donations from the bank, and the remainder purchased with Operation Dreamseed funds. Forming an assembly line, the Frost Bank team of Harlingen, Texas packed complete school supply kits for over 100 children.
Aimal Zabitullah
Operation Dreamseed’s mission is to further education in underdeveloped countries. We have sent school supplies and black boards; we have helped with the building of a school and the funding of the first science lab in a Kandahar High School. Now we are approaching our goal from yet another direction.
In 2009 Gerlinde Gautrey, one of our members of the board, read in her company’s internal newsletter that a colleague from a Nevada office had been deployed with the National Guard to Afghanistan. Gerlinde contacted him to find out how her office could help. 500 bags of school supplies and assorted other goodies were collected and mailed to Kurt Neddenriep. When Lt Colonel Neddenriep returned to his home in Nevada, he was kind enough to answer many of our questions about his observations during his tour of duty in AFG. He also mentioned that he had sponsored his translator who would be starting at the University of Nevada – Reno in September 2010.
Lt Colonel Neddenriep met Aimal Zabitullah who worked as a linguist and cultural advisor for the US Army when Aimal assisted him with an impromptu conversation with local children during a roadside stop. A few months later, Aimal was hired to work with Lt Col Needenriep’s team and the two spend many hours together. Aimal had finished high school in Afghanistan and was accepted into an Engineering Program at the University. But Aimal, whose father passed away when he was 6 months old, is the only breadwinner in his family. So financially it was not possible for him to go to the University and he applied for a job with the US Forces instead. As Kurt Neddenriep got to know Aimal better and saw what potential the young man had, he encouraged him to apply to an American University. Aimal’s good grades and his English language skills made it possible for him to be accepted at UNR. Kurt Neddenriep, his family and friends have raised the money needed to get Aimal started at UNR. They also send money to Aimal’s family until he is finished with college and can support them again. When the Board of Directors of Operation Dreamseed heard about Aimal, we decided that it would be in keeping with our mission to support Aimal Zabitullah’s education with the expectation that he will return to Afghanistan and become a link between our two countries. We hope he will do his part to help with the rebuilding of Afghanistan and will encourage many other young Afghans to excel in their education.
ODS will pay part of Aimal’s tuition for the spring 2011 semester and hopes to be able to continue with this grant until Aimal graduates. We are excited to follow his journey and his discovery of life in the United States.
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2nd Annual Silent Auction
Friends,
Operation Dreamseed cordially invites you to attend our 2nd Annual Silent Auction in New York City at the Three West Club (3 West 51st Street) on March 24, 2008. Last year's event was a huge success and this year promises to be even better with great auction items from great local NYC restuarants and businesses, as well as carpets, jewelry, crafts and art from Afghanistan.
Please plan now to come and enjoy special musical entertainment, food and cocktails as you spend time with friends, meet fellow professionals, and support a great organization working towards providing educational support and resources in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Colombia SA.