We need your help!

[Nereussailor]

I'm not sure if any of you out there in cybersailing land have heard of a guy named David Smedley, AKA "Davit". Well, he's heading south from up near St Augustine on his way to Luperon in the Dominican Republic. He has started a group called "Hands Across the Water".
Hands Across the Water is looking for donations of new or used sporting goods and musical instruments for the children of Luperon. Davit will be passing through the treasure coast of Florida around the first of February picking up any donations that have been collected. I have taken it upon myself to collect the donations and store them until he gets here. If you have any baseballs, softballs, bats, baseball gloves, soccer balls, volleyballs, or any kind of musical instruments floating around your garage or storage unit, we would appreciate your donation. We are not looking for monetary donations, but if you have any of the above items laying around that you don't use anymore, please let me know.
I can do a local pick up from Melbourne to Stuart, Florida on the last weekend of the month if needed. Please PM me on this site if you have any questions or donations.

Thanks for your support in our cause,

Dave

 

[Maine Sail]

Let's give this a try again..

I happen to think this is a great deed. My wife and I bring lots of stuff to Guatemala when we visit and we collect clothes, toys etc. etc. Last time we went we brought three huge hockey bags full and gave it to an organization there that can see the stuff distributed. We ask friends to chip in and they gladly do.

We're not talking money here guys, just stuff kids like to play with, this stuff is considered excess junk to most Americans but could become a favorite toy or prized possession to a child in a third world nation.

Please let's avoid any more bogus accusations in this thread, I don't want to delete any more posts. If you don't want to contribute a used soccer ball or used soft ball then that's fine. Let's assume this is legit for now. I actually have a cell number for David S. so I am going to assume he is a real person.

If anyone, for what ever odd reason, still feels the need to prove that this venture of used balls and toys may not be legit please send that information, in a PM, directly to me. Do NOT post this stuff to the forum until one of us can verify the validity of the accusations.

 

[Ross]

Re: Let's give this a try again..

I grew up in very humble circumstances. I was always astonished when one of my friends would discard a toy because it had lost a wheel. If the cover came off a baseball we would wind string on to keep it useable. A used ball pump could be a very valuable tool for soccer and basketball care. One boy's junk is another boy's treasure. a set of matching tee shirts could outfit a team.

 

[Nereussailor]

Thanks Guys!

Thank you Main Sail and Ross. This whole thing was Davit's Idea, and I really believe it's a great one. Kids here in the USA would never think of using a rock and a stick to play baseball. Most of them probably have a half dozen balls, a glove or two, and a couple of bats.
Sorry for the earlier rant, but I've been getting the same response from quite a few people and was almost at the end of my rope. I even heard it from people that I work with.
I got one email today to pick up a couple of items in Stuart. so things are looking up.

Thanks again,

Dave

 

[Ross]

Re: Thanks Guys!

Dave check with the guys at Goodwill. I have a friend that works receiving at a distribution center and he tells me that they get such quantites of some things that they just throw them out. Last week we were talking about canning jars, he said they get loads of them. worm out sports gear probably falls into the same bin.

 

[Nereussailor]

Thanks Ross,
I went to one of the local stores yesterday after work and talked with a guy that takes in the donations. He said that he'd save anything that they weren't able to sell. I also picked up two basketballs I got both for about $3. My daughter just joined a city league softball team, and we are going to ask the girls if they would be willing to give up something that's worn but still good.
I did get a PM from a board member here and he is trying to collect a few things. hopefully, that will work out too.

Thanks,
Dave