Trust In Education Newsletter August 2008
                                     man with seeds                            Greetings!

You haven't heard about the Spring Cleaning for Afghanistan packing party,held in June, because we spent the month of July in "Big Sky Country", land of Rose's huckleberry jam,  Tammy's $9 triple berry pies, and migrants from every state in union who came to visit Montana and stayed. July and August are " open season months" for Californians. Realtors are in their feeding frenzy mode. There are fewer prey this year, ever since gas rose above $4 a gallon and someone popularized the concept of "staycation".  Except for the economic readjustment pains being felt everywhere, all is well. It's an odd place. Montanans wave to strangers, walk, ride bikes, hike, kayak, fish, breathe clean air, share their habitats with wild animals, seem to enjoy their work and are incredibly friendly. It's a perfect getaway state. Go, don't share this information with anyone, and don't stay. The bears, elk, deer and the antelope need to roam.
     Now, the packing party:
 
   Over 40 people came, sorted, folded and packed five tons of stuff.  I've never seen so many type A personalities in a room at one time. They packed everything in less than five hours. Cars kept arriving,  dropping off donations, until after closing time.
 We're assembling a third shipment while we wait for the bureaucratic approval process to be resolved. If you have more donations, or want to organize a drive, send us an email. My porch is once again open for business.
 
   Soon I will report on progress in Afghanistan. There are two Bay Area volunteers working for TIE in Kabul, Matt Van Etten, and Asma Nemati. You will be amazed at what they have accomplished in the past two months.
   I, however, must now return to the piles on my desk. Files don't go away. They wait patiently for your return and become more urgent.
 
Enjoy the weekend.
 
Best Regards,


Budd

packing party
    Look at all those back aches in the making!

Quality and cultural sensitivity control monitor, Judy Zenoni, gives it the once over.
boxes lined up
Five tons of caring - A message that will be delivered to Afghanistan soon.