To the editor:

I am more convinced than ever that we need to help others. My favorite helping agency is Greg Mortenson’s (Three Cups of Tea) Central Asia Institute. Their mission: promote and support community based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their link: https://www.ikat.org/

In the Seattle Times (Oct. 11), I read the story of Bravo Company, part of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of the Fort Lewis-based 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. They are based in Afghanistan’s Arghandab Valley.

(StoryLink:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/afghanjournal/2010033812_green_zone_patrol.html)

“On many patrols, the soldiers meet children. They often ask for pens, an interesting request in villages where the fear of the Taliban has shut down most of the schools. The soldiers don’t have a lot of spare pens. But they do offer a few candies, usually from the pockets of Staff Sgt. Seth Marquez. Capt Jamie Pope, Bravo Company’s commander, asked me to put in a note about these children. He was hoping for some care packages with pens, pencils, kites, notepads, crayons, hard candies or children’s clothes. The soldiers could then distribute these items on patrols.”

The care packages should be sent to:

Packages For Afghanistan children, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5/2 SBCT, FOB Frontnec, AP AE 09335

I’m going to go around to Whidbey Island businesses and solicit donations of the items listed above to send to the soldiers, to distribute to the children. If anyone wants to assist me in this endeavor, please call me at 360-678-3598. Thanks for your time!

Mike Diamanti

Coupeville