Sandy initially approached the CIDI in early November 2001, asking for guidance in initiating a used blanket drive for Afghanistan. She was determined to do something, but there was a caveat. She wanted to find a way that people could give something that would tie their own creature comfort with the lack of comfort in other parts of the world - a lesson as well as aid. Perhaps a blanket drive, she thought, creatively called Fighting the Cold War or Fighting the Cold War-A Blanket Solution.

A self-described tenacious do-gooder, Sandy's effervescent personality reflects her diverse interests. She has co-invented over 50 popular board games, written and published three humor books, designed a collection of women's golf clothing (she’s an avid golfer!) and written poetry for Blue Mountain Arts Greeting Cards. This single lady, who loves to travel, still manages to find the time and energy to volunteer with the Fox Valley Unity Church and with Habitat for Humanity in Illinois. Sandy has also performed as a professional singer with the New York City Opera, Off-Broadway and many other venues around the world.

Through a series of e-mail and telephone conversations, Sandy learned about appropriate international disaster response -- particularly for Afghanistan. As her contact with the CIDI continued, she learned that cash donations were the most expedient and appropriate form of assistance that could be offered by the public. The problems resulting from unsolicited collections of materials such as used clothing and bedding, canned foods, medications and other items by the public are many. Unsolicited collections of items consistently raise concerns about quality, medical safety, transportation and security, cultural and religious customs, dietary requirements and a host of other issues always at the forefront of a professional relief agencies' decisions on what materials are sent overseas in response to an emergency. It is for that reason, the CIDI developed Donations Guidelines to help the American public understand the complexities of international disaster response and give guidance in the best ways that the public can help victims of disasters overseas.

Sandy quickly picked up on the themes presented in the CIDI Guidelines. A bright and eager participant, her questions and observations were many, and uniquely insightful - "Money is more difficult to get and far more detached", Sandy explained, a common response the CIDI receives from the public when they are encouraged to give cash. "Could blankets be dropped from planes just like the food bundles?" she asked. "Can you think of any other, more hands-on way to help besides fund raising? And if I fundraise, is there some way to focus the drive on something specific . . . like blankets for families and children, etc.  It is easier to fund raise with a specific, non-general goal", she noted.

It wasn't long before Sandy began to sound like an expert relief worker herself. She picked up on the complexities involved in material donations for international disaster response. One e-mail message reflects that she had an awareness of the potential complications involved in "collection" efforts all along. "Every single thing you listed (about the problems she would face in sending donated blankets to Afghanistan) had crossed my mind. I thought about cleanliness and disease and weather-proofing for travel, including the safety of the items while they are being stored so that someone doesn't hide something dangerous inside".

Barely a week later, Sandy sent the CIDI an e-mail that expressed her deep gratification in having found a solution that would satisfy her need to do something constructive for Afghanistan, while supporting the Afghan women in the refugee camps and providing valuable assistance at the same time. "I found a great program sponsored by the Crop Walk folks who are gathering money to have blankets manufactured by local women in Pakistan, which are being given to refugees along with tents. I am so excited!" The Crop Walk is a program of Church World Service, similar to a Walk-a-thon, developed "to help raise awareness and funds to fight hunger--around the block and around the world". Church World Service's Tools of Hope & Blanket Program. She then convinced various friends and three local churches to participate.

The CIDI is proud to consider Sandy Bergeson a shining example of how well-informed individuals CAN make a real and meaningful contribution to ease the suffering of disaster victims around the world.

For additional information about the Crop Walk and Church World Service, please visit: www.churchworldservice.org.