<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Hello MN birders,<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I am looking for binoculars for kids in Azerbaijan.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I recently connected with a birder in Sweden who runs programs for youth in developing nations. I'm hoping to collect new/used binoculars to support these efforts.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">If you have an old pair sitting around you’d be willing to donate, or if you’d like to donate some funds to help, please email me at <a href="mailto:ASimsoDean@gmail.com" class="">ASimsoDean@gmail.com</a>. It’s not tax deductible, but it is for a great cause.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">Tomas and I connected when I posted a picture on Facebook of my suitcase full of binoculars all cleaned up after ending up my Spring youth BirdClub sessions. </font></span></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Here is what he wrote to me…</div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">"Several projects are running in developing countries where we have enthusiastic young naturalists but they lack equipment such as binos. I lead one such initiative in Azerbaijan where the binos on the photo would make a HUGE difference, if they or others are available…?</font></span><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">”</font></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><br class=""></font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">This a completely wild hair idea I decided to pursue. But, if I can help inspire just a few kids to become birders, naturalists, environmentalists or conservationists, it will be well worth it.</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><br class=""></font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">The MN birding community has been a huge help to me as I was launching my MYBirdClub (MN Youth BirdClub after school programs). People gave me ideas, donations and suggestions. And now I’m doing so again. I also will be applying for some grants etc., (maybe I can do even more to help other programs other places).</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><br class=""></font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">Thank you to the admin for letting me post this to this group.</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><br class=""></font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">Happy Birding!</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">Amy Simso Dean</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">MYBirdClub</font></span></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class="">Minneapolis</font></span></div><div class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><font color="#010101" face="lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="2" class=""><br class=""></font></span></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></body></html>