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Comedy show will raise funds to buy items for troops in Iraq

By Shannon Burkey

Sandi Selvi didn't know her routine trip to the post office was going to leave her feeling so great. But when she left, she had found a cause to be excited about.

While in line to mail her items, Selvi, a Saratoga resident, met a man who was mailing a number of boxes. She found out he was a part of the nonprofit organization, Adopt-A-Chaplain, and the boxes, filled with everything from cookies to razors, were going to chaplains stationed in Iraq so that they could hand the items out to their troops.

"I was fascinated when I heard what they were doing. The group is so wonderful," Selvi said.

She was so excited about the organization and its work that she offered to pay for the postage on all of the boxes.

But she didn't stop there.

Selvi is a comedian who performs all over the country, so she decided to put on a benefit comedy show at Saratoga High School's McAfee Center and has called on a few of her comedian friends to help out.

"We're hoping to raise about $5,000, and all of the money will be used to buy stuff for the troops. This organization is really into getting them the things that they need and can't get through the government," Selvi said.

Some of the most commonly asked for items are double-stuffed Oreo cookies and Slim Jims, according to Selvi. Other items listed on the organization's website are sunscreen, air freshener, candy, CDs and DVDs.

"There was even one guy who asked for a Beanie Baby so that he could remember his kids. After we sent that one, everyone wanted one. We got hundreds of requests for them," she said.

Adopt-A-Chaplain is based out of San Jose and Saratoga, and Selvi called the work the group is doing invaluable. But it is the work that the troops in Iraq are doing that motivated her to get the comedy show together.

"They are the reason we are doing this--they are wonderful," she said.

Along with Selvi, local comedians Sharman Bacigalupi, Bob Brindley and Joe Klocek will perform. Klocek's comedy routine was recently picked up by Comedy Central.

There will be two shows at McAfee Center on Feb. 23, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com up to 12 hours before show time. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $30.

For more information on the show, visit www.sandiselvi.com.