A rare and personal ask:

Background: Earlier this year, one of HDR’s Afghanistan sub-contractors, named Javed, had been targeted by the Taliban because of his work with Americans. He asked me for a reference letter and assistance in completing a special immigration visa application to allow him to escape with his family. His e-mails describing his situation became more desperate in the following months indicating extreme concern for his family’s safety. However, we received the good news that Javed and his family were able to escape Afghanistan and are now safely in the US at a military base.

After discussions with Javed, he and his family have decided to re-locate to Omaha. We were able to secure housing for his family and they will arrive in Omaha on Saturday, November 27th. Javed’s family includes his pregnant wife, his sister, his brother (who worked as a mechanic for the Army Corps of Engineers for 5 years) and sister-in-law, and their three little girls age 3, 6, and 8. This family of eight has been through so much this year!

The Ask: Although the family made it safely to America, all of their belongings were lost and they arrived with only the clothes on their back. While working with the local relocation agency, my wife and I volunteered to take responsibility for setting up their entire house and obtaining all donations to meet their immediate needs when they arrive in Omaha which include: Furniture, clothing, kitchen wares, linens, cleaning supplies and all kinds of household items. (See complete list below.) Cash and gift certificates are also needed to allow them to buy groceries, hygiene products, and other basic needs.

Non-Cash Donations: If you live in Omaha, please reach out to Gary Warner with clothing, furniture or household items you may be able to donate.

A hopeful future: We believe his future is very hopeful. Javed is incredibly humble and gracious. He is proficient in English and has a professional accounting background. He loves his family, and he is very excited to start a new life in Omaha.

Thank you in advance for your donations and helping provide this family a warm welcome to America!!

AFGHAN FAMILY DONATION LIST

GIFT CARDS

o Walmart Gift Cards

o Costco Gift Cards

CLOTHING

o Men’s Winter Gear

o Coats (1 Large, 1 X -Large)

o Gloves and Hats

o Snow pants (1- L, 1 XL)

o Women’s Winter Coats (1- L and 1- XXL)

o Women’s Maternity Winter Coat (1- L)

o Girl’s Winter Clothing (sizes 3, 6, 8)

o Pants, Long sleeve shirts, dresses

o Hats

LINENS

o Bath towels (8)

o Hand towels (6)

o Wash cloths (8)

o Queen sheets (2)

o Queen mattress pads (2)

o Queen comforter or quilt (2)

o Queen blankets (2)

o Pillows (8)

o Twin sheets (3)

o Twin mattress pad (3)

o Twin comforter or quilt (3)

o Clothing hangers

o Laundry baskets (4)

o Laundry detergent (fragrance-free please)

o Dryer Sheets (fragrance free)

o Shower curtains (2)

o Bathmats (2)

HOUSE MAINTENANCE

o Washer + Dryer

o Snow shovels (2)

FURNITURE

o Queen Mattress + Box Spring (2)

o Living room end table

o Floor lamp (2)

o Night stands (4)

o Dressers, small (4)

o Table lamp (4)

KITCHEN (we have everything else not listed)

o Stock pot

o Sauce pan

o Silverware

o Plates and bowls (set of 12)

o Baking tray

o 9x13 glass baking pan

o 9x9 baking pan

o Tea kettle

o Trash can

CLEANING SUPPLIES

o Broom + dust pan

o Swiffer mop (or similar wet mop)

o Kitchen cleaning spray

o Bathroom cleaning spray

o Window cleaner

o Dishwasher detergent

o Hand soap

o Dish soap

o Paper Towels

o Toilet paper

o Trash bags

For GoFundMe:

1. Who you are and where you are from

Gary Warner - Omaha, Nebraska

2. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for

Javed is a colleague and friend that I met through work at HDR, Inc.

3. Your plan to send the funds to the intended recipients, and their names

Javed and his family are here in the US. They are stationed at a military base and we have been in direct contact with him through email, phone calls and text messages. Their case has been assigned to Omaha and we are their sponsors. We will help them setup a bank account once they arrive here and can do so. We can share his full name with you in a private email but we have been advised not to include their full names on public websites to protect the family members that were left behind in Afghanistan.

4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)

As listed above.