Former Minden officer pleas for warm clothing

From across the ocean, via the Internet, an appeal: Please send warm clothes for Afghanistan orphans.

Tony Matteson, a former Minden police officer and parish deputy who is working as a U.S. State Department contractor training the new Afghan National Police, is calling on his hometown to help children whose parents have died during the country’s ongoing conflict.

Matteson contacted the Minden Press-Herald and asked for its assistance in providing warm winter clothing for 60 to 70 children who live in an orphanage in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.

“The orphanage relies 100 percent on donations from the public,” said Matteson. “Most of it is U.S. funded through officers getting family member back home to send whatever they can. This year, I am asking for winter clothing for these children.”

Matteson said he and fellow police officers have visited the orphanage on several occasions, taking clothing and various hygiene products; however, with the approach of cold weather, there is a desperate need for warm clothing.
“They lack just about everything you can thing of,” said Matteson. “I am asking for Minden residents to send me their used childrens’ clothing that no longer fit their children. Long sleeve shirts, jackets, socks, underwear, long johns, blue jeans, hats, gloves, shoes, socks, etc. Anything will help.”

Matteson is requesting good, used clothing, but new items will not be turned away either.

The children at the orphanage range from one to 16 years of age and include boys and girls. All sizes of clothing, jackets and shoes could be matched to a needy child.“ These kids are the victims here. Their parents were killed during the war over here,” said Matteson. “The winter months here are very harsh and unforgiving and these kids really need our help.”

Packages can be sent to Tony Matteson, 209th RSAC-North, Camp Mike Spann, Mazar-E-Sharif, RTC Police Academy, APO, AE 09354.

Packages should be marked “Mazar Orphanage”.

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