Fill a Container for Namibia’s Needy Athletes

Dear Track and Field Enthusiast:

We need your help!  Namibian sprinter Frankie Fredericks and his charitable foundation have partnered with an American resident in Namibia, Mark Cassayre, in organizing a donation drive to deliver track and field equipment from the U.S. to this impoverished African country.  Many of Namibia’s track and field athletes have no equipment at all, so any donation will be a treasure for these needy programs. 

For example, Namibia’s first group of pole vaulters in over a decade has begun training, but they lack poles and a landing mat; sprinters need starting blocks; hurdles are too few; and too many athletes share too few throwing implements.  The needs don’t end there.  They will gladly accept any donation, such as stopwatches, running gear, timing devices, training equipment, shoes and much more.  As long as it is useable, it will be cherished in Namibia, a country with the world’s greatest disparity of income.

Many U.S. schools and individuals, including Big West Conference teams and Brigham Young University, have already donated equipment, including a pole vault landing mat.  ServiceCraft Logistics is providing transportation and storage.  Your contribution will make a huge difference.  Their very attainable goal is to fill a shipping container with donated items. 

The shipment departs for Africa in June 2007.  Donations must arrive at the ServiceCraft Logistics warehouse in Carson (Los Angeles), California before that date.  All donations will be delivered to the Frankie Fredericks Foundation in Namibia, where they will be distributed to needy athletic programs throughout the country.

For more information contact Mark Cassayre at jaycass@iway.na.  Depending on your location and the size of your donation, they can arrange pick-up of donated items.