Had an incredible day yesterday at the International Institute of St. Louis in our first mission with military volunteers from the region. On Weds morning they asked me if I could find 20 volunteers to help move some of the flood of donations from their site to their warehouse.
I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I only started volunteering with them this week and hadn't really done any outreach to the organizations in St. Louis yet. But, I had an ace in the hole. I had waved down an Air Force Captain at @IISTL on Tuesday as he dropped off donations.
I intro'd myself and asked if he could help me at @ScottAFB with some connections. Well, Evan wasn't playing. The next morning I had an email with a host of POC's he'd already spoken to and wanted to help. I wrote 2 of them asking for 10 volunteers for the next day.
Friends...things went a little crazy. I was flooded with volunteers from across the Air Force and their families. @IISTL asked for 20...Thursday we had over 55 show up. We dove into it and emptied out half of the gym in about 2 hours and they wouldn't quit.
They drove trucks, organized the donations, took over the warehouse, directed traffic...on and on. It was incredible and I have a list of probably a hundred more who couldn't make it and want to help. There is plenty of work coming as our Afghan allies arrive.
If you're a veterans or military group in St. Louis, Illinois or Missouri hit me up on DM's and I will help you find ways you can help in your area...or frankly anyone in the country...I want to help you help our Afghan partners where you live. We are overwhelmed with donations.
I can tell you they really need money now. There is an actual cash need to support SIV's, refugees and especially parolees from Afghanistan as the varying support systems offer very little cash up front to help them settle and cover them until they can get work.
I'm begging you to please check with your local organization before running a donation drive. They have a lot now but need specific items. New items as much as possible. You can help us at @iistl with their official GoFundMe that is running now. gofundme.com/f/help-those-w…
If I can help anyone please reach out. I'm learning and am happy to learn more and share. Your local community needs you. You don't need to be a veteran or have any special skills, just a heart to give back to those who helped us. We must #WelcomeThemHere! #Afghanistan #StLouis
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