Nominated by Carla Zambelli,
Community Activist from Ardmore
How this all started was Lt. Col. Ken Marx, a local resident, serving in Afghanistan, told us that one of the stresses of combat tours is to see so many poor and needy and to have nothing to offer them. Basically, even small items are appreciated. He asked Sherry Tillman owner of Past * Present * Future and Executive Director of First Friday Main Line if she knew anyone that could help, so we created Operation Angel Wings to help him.
We thought his message was a positive one for all mankind, the United States and the U.S. Armed Forces. It is not only a positive humanitarian message he is spreading, but one of great compassion. The whole experience has been like an O. Henry Christmas story come to life. Dr. Lt. Col. Ken Marx is indeed an unsung hero!
We have to date shipped over 80 cartons. The response has been so unbelievable and amazing in it's goodness. And it is such a simple message - bring smiles to the voiceless victims of the collateral damage of war as First Friday Main Line remembers the children of war torn Afghanistan and furthers Lt. Col Marx's goal of a greater good and teaching people that peace and tolerance can come with the smallest of gestures.....
From Ken's wife Eileen Sullivan-Marx, PhD, RN, Associate Dean for Practice and Community Affairs, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing:
Ken is employed as physician at the Emergency Department, Reading, PA. Ken and I have 2 sons: Harry age 21, mechanical engineering student at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY. Dan age 20,a business marketing student at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia. We are members of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Ardmore, PA
The other amazing thing about this that you should know is that Ken is getting packages from Operation Angelwings but he is getting 15-20 packages a day from all over the US from email requests from him and his extended network of family, friends and colleagues. Ken has been a mission volunteer in Mikono, Uganda since 1997 and founded an African Prison Project with a Ugandan nurse that provides vitamins, medications, clothing to women and men in prisons in Africa. This network and many individuals, workplace sites, places of faith and local communities are sending packages to Afghanistan. For example, Ken's dad, Leonard, age 89, lives in Heatherwood Retirement Community in Honey Brook and the seniors who live there have sent several packages. Same at Harrison House where my parents live in Coatesville, they are age 89 and 93 and have been collecting goods. Interesting for them is that their apartment looks over the ArcelorMittal steel mill in Coatesville where 90% of all the plate steel is made that goes to the military for armored vehicles. Ken travels around in MRAP vehicles that are armored by steel made at this plant where my sister and her husband work. It is all interconnected! We are incredibly proud of Ken and are thrilled to see how his wonderful talents and dedication can be used to promote the spirit of America!
News Stories
In the Main Line News: Operation Angel Wings flies via FFML
For people interested in donating:
- Winter Clothing (especially for children): Sweaters, Fleeces, Scarves, Gloves, Socks, Long Sleeved Athletic Glothing
- Towels
- Small Stuffed Animals
- Small toys for boys and girls (matchbox cars and Beanie Babie sized items)
- Reading glasses are extremely useful for older Afghans.
If donating used items, they must be clean in good repair and gift giving condition. These small lightweight items are easy to ship and easy to carry long distances.
Please bring your donations to:
| Ardmore Initiative |
Past Present Future |
Piazza Acura of Ardmore |
or please donate money on our donation page to help us send more needed items to the children https://www.firstfridaymainline.com/donate.asp
