Sports gear needed by Bend sister city

The Bend Fire Department, in conjunction with the non-profit Condega Bomberos Project, is collecting new and good-quality used sporting equipment for the children of Condega, Nicaragua.

Condega has been a sister city with the city of Bend since 2004. Nicaragua is the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. where the average daily wage is about $2.

Donations can be dropped off in the special boxes at any Bend fire station, the fire administration building or City Hall through Friday, August 10. Items requested include soccer, baseball, basketball and track equipment.

Cash donations will also be accepted and can be sent to the Condega Bomberos Project, 1212 SW Simpson Ave., Bend, OR 97701. The Condega Bomberos Project is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.

For more information on the Condega Bomberos Project or the sports equipment drive, visit www.condegabomberos.com, or contact Mark Taylor at (541) 322-6316.