The pastor who married my friends Frank and Alison is now serving as an Army chaplain in Afghanistan.  He sent out this request for help in serving the Afghan people by collecting and distributing shoes to the needy.  No matter what your political or religious views, this is a project we can all get behind.  Do you have contacts with retailers or manufacturers who believe in helping others (or in building public goodwill)?  Are you part of a community or venue that could hold a shoe drive?

Please read the letter below and feel free to contact Rev. Hevrin directly if you can help develop - or wish to contribute to - his project.  Remember, he cannot accept money, only the actual shoes.

Dear Friends-Brothers and Sisters-Family,

I have grown into a person who believes that God has taught me: life is to be LIVED. In that belief I have become a person who LIVES in the idea that life is not about IF. Life is about HOW. Vision, helping people, making a difference in this world has to be about HOW. Surely Jesus is not about if we can accomplish.  Surely Jesus is about HOW we can accomplish.

I have a vision, that the men and women of 3-71 CAV will be given the opportunity to give out shoes to the Afghani people in the area of operation we serve. The soldiers I serve work hard doing “what they do”. Part of “what they do” is giving out HUMANITARIAN AID.

The people of this region would be blessed with shoes–such a simple blessing; but real and affective at making a difference in a persons life.  I cannot legally ask you for a donation. So…I am asking for people of vision to search out their hearts and ask, “How can I provide shoes for the soldiers of 3-71 CAV to give away to the Afghani people”?

The Peramiters:
1. This would be a direct donation to 3-71 CAV, the unit I serve as chaplain.
2. The shoes will be sent directly to me at the address listed below. (I have no access to funds to offer for postage).
3. The shoes will be given out to children, teenagers and adults as humanitarian aid.
4. Every donation will be sent a letter of thanks from me and 3-71 CAV.
5. We cannot accept money.
6. The shoes must be new, or in “good shape”.
7. Time Frame: I leave that up to you. My hope would be for our soldiers to have these shoes to distribute by June 1st.
8. How many? I don’t have a target number. Let’s see what God does.

I love you all. Please continue to pray for our soldiers, who everyday live in
harms way.

In Christ,
Brian Hevrin
Chaplain (CPT)
3-71 CAV 3rd BCT
10th Mountain Div LI

Address:
Hevrin, Brian
TF Iron Titan
HHT 3-71 CAV
FOB Altimur
APO, AE 09364