The Eagle soars

I just wanted to post a quick note to offer kudos to John Parinello Jr., an SBHS graduate from Dayton, is looking to help children in Afghanistan by sending them sports equipment — a worthy cause, for sure.

Look, I was never a Boy Scout and I sometimes find the Boy Scouts to be — well, just leave it at that.

But I was taken by Parinello’s mission — and by the way it differs from some of the less necessary projects I’ve seen in other communities.

Parinello’s efforts could have a real — if small — impact, contributing to the breaking down of cultural barriers and making the lives of children just a little bit better.

”It’s important to send goods to children in Kabul because, I hope, it will tighten the bonds between the U.S. and Afghanistan,” Mr. Parinello said.

Mr. Parinello decided on his project after an assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 10, who is also a commander in the Navy and is stationed in Kabul, told him of the need for sporting equipment for schoolchildren in the region. Mr. Parinello said he hopes the children will reap the benefits of having an escape from the world that surrounds them.

”I hope that this project will promote good team leadership skills while keeping children off the streets in a war-stricken area,” he said.

So, as I said, kudos.

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet