United States Army Captain Jeffrey Joyce of Plympton is helping to re-establish a school for children in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Capt. Joyce is currently stationed at the 911th Forward Surgical Team at the Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The donations will help to re-open a school with 750 students, aged 4 - 16. The school was shut down by the former Taliban government, who apparently left it without the most basic of educational materials and supplies.

The following is the suggested list of items provided by Capt. Joyce:

• Beginner English reading books grades 1-6
• White erasable marker boards and markers for instructing
• Notebooks, tablets
• Pencils, pens, erasers
• School backpacks and bags
• Shoes for children four to sixteen, used or new
• Learning and outdoor play toys for elementary school children
• Baseball hats and winter hats for kids four to sixteen

A collection bin has been located in the Plympton Town Hall lobby where the community can leave their donations. Cash contributions should be given to Nancy Butler, Town Clerk.

NO return or personal addresses should be included with donated items. A donation of at least $1.00 with each item contributed is requested to help with shipping costs to Afghanistan.

The first shipment is planned for March 31. Following shipments will be sent went boxes are filled, approximately every 2-3 weeks. Final shipments will go out on April 30 concluding our campaign. Please email or call (781-585-2700) the Selectmen's office if you have any questions.

Update of April 4, 2004
The first set of supplies have been delivered to Afghanistan and distributed to the school. Captain Joyce has sent us photos of the students and a thank you letter from the school.

Two more boxes were just shipped this past week and lots more materials have been contributed. The support has really exceeded expectations and there will be shipments every week during April! Capt. Joyce and Veteran's Agent Jim Corven add a BIG "thank you" to all who have contributed, and say that the teachers and students really appreciate the generosity.