Letter: StrongHearts Give Thanks for Donations of Shoes and Socks

To the editor:

The StrongHearts recently took on a project for Destiny Africa and gathered sneakers and socks to go to the Kampala Childrens Centre in Kampala, Uganda, East Africa.

Due to the efforts of a lot of people, we have gathered 150 pairs of sneakers and socks, both used and slightly, to go to both the KCC and to the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry in Providence.

Thank you’s go out to many people. First of whom is Allen “ Britt “ Gammons of Berkshire Hathaway Gammons Realty, who not only donated, but provided the StrongcHeart T-shirts that we give to participants in our programs.

He and David Mastracchio, owner of Oaks Tavern (Mully’s to locals), also put on a fund-raiser at the Tavern, and, thanks to all the beautiful people who attended, they raised over $1,000 to pay for shipping some of the sneakers.

It cost $985 just to ship 50 sneakers in a 20-20 cardboard box! The rest are going over by shipping container.

Also, a big tip of the fedora to Chris Hurd and his gang of workers at Hurd GM for contributing close to 50 pairs of footwear.

We would like to thank the following for their donations : Ruth Gammons, Ducky Kettelle, Orlando Savastano (Wakefield), Ken Mahoney, Paul Brown (Missouri), Judy Briggs (Coventry), Dan Shea (Coventry), and Don Murray (Illinois).

Kudos also to Cate Boyle, Melissa Ucci, Janet Kenney from London Bridge Learning Academy, Chris Cobain & Bob Houghtaling, and the athletes at EGHS, and Don Bowen.

A Special Shout out to Beth Cauley , Proncipal of Hanaford School, who has participated on many StrongHeart projects and came through once again with the help of her elf helpers at Hanaford ES.

A second wave is coming, hopefully with athletic teams at Moses Brown, Cranston West, Exeter-West Greenwich and Johnston HS participating. The drive will stay open-ended until early in 2016.

We could eventually realize over 200 pairs of sneaker and socks, and I assure you they will be going to people who need them.

Thanks to all who aided in this effort. You will be blessed.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Sincerely,

Bruce Mastracchio

Leader - StrongHearts

East Greenwich, RI