Collecting Material for Cuba

We're going to Cuba with the 20th Pastors for Peace caravan to Cuba.

We're collecting donated materials for Cuba. Below an email from them listing what they're looking for specifically. If you have anything here, please email me and we'll pick it up! All donations are tax deductible!


What items should be sent?
Below is a summary of general aid needs in Cuba. When sending solidarity aid to Cuba, it is essential that all items collected must be new or in excellent condition, clean and rust-free. Do not donate items that are not in working condition. This is not an opportunity to clean out junk from garages or basements. If it's not good enough for you and your family, don't send it to our Cuban brothers and sisters.

The 20th US-Cuba Friendshipment this July has been specifically asked to prioritize construction supplies for the ongoing reconstruction effort after the 3 devastating hurricanes that hit Cuba in the fall of 2008

WE PARTICULARLY NEED THE FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES
Plumbing: nuts, bolts, washers and all thread, plastic pipe fittings, toilets, sinks, faucets, PVC plastic fittings, copper fittings and valves, drains and stoppers, pipes, shower fixtures
Carpentry: nails, hammers, screws, drills, flashing, wall anchors, saws and saw blades, banding tools, door hanging tools, ladders, jacks, plaster, sandpaper
Electrical: any electrical wiring, fasteners, electrical boxes and covers, electrician tools, energy efficient lighting and bulbs, extension cords and adapters, generators, electric line testers, electrical tape
Masonry: grouts, sealants, horizontal reinforcing, masonry admixtures, concrete, masonry hand tools (floats, trowels), chisels (wood and masonry)
Painting: brushes, rollers, lead-free paint, brush extenders, paint plates
Protective Gear: dust masks, work gloves, protective eyeglasses

What we take in general...
 Vehicles: School buses, ambulances, trucks, pick-ups, mobile libraries (bookmobiles) - diesel & stick shift preferred - in good condition and with at least several years of life left in them.
 Computers: IBM compatible computers with Pentium III or better processors, and all computer accessories/peripherals. Must be in full working order. All types of printers but especially Epson LX 300 and HP laser jet 1200
 Educational supplies: All types of educational materials including for writing on and with etc (but pen, pencils, paper etc must be new/unused)
 Medical equipment/supplies/medicines: All kinds if equipment in good working order, supplies sterile and supplies/medicines with expiry date Feb 1, 2010 or later
 Books: Medical and scientific textbooks and journals in Spanish or English
 Alternative transportation/energy equipment: e.g. Bicycles (good condition), solar panels
 Sports/arts/cultural equipment: All kinds if in good condition.
 Musical Equipment: Musical instruments especially, DJ equipment, sound equipment
 Bibles: All Bibles must be in Spanish.
 Food: Powdered milk, infant formula, dietary supplements - in original factory-sealed containers. .
 Car mechanics tools: Tools must be in good condition or new.
 Home supplies: Factory new clothing in bulk quantities.

And what we don’t take ...
because it is inappropriate or because Mexican customs won’t let it through
 Anything that is not in good working order or is rusty
 Medication and medical supplies that have already expired or will reach their expiry date before February 1, 2010
 Medication and medical supplies that have been opened
 Computers older than Pentium III (about 7 years old) or that are not IBM compatible
 Books, in English or Spanish, that are not medical or scientific text books/journals
 Any clothing, sheets, towels, etc. that are not enclosed in their original packaging.
 Used paper
 Canned food