Preparing for school: Airmen donate school supplies to Iraqi children

Published Sept. 10, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Scott Saldukas
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

ALI BASE, Iraq -- More than 100 Airmen from the 407th Air Expeditionary Group came together here September 5 to help sort and pack thousands of school supplies, toys and more for children in southern Iraq.

Hundreds of bags were stuffed with donations that were gathered to support Operation Iraqi Child.

"I appreciate everyone coming out and volunteering to support the children of southern Iraq," said Master Sgt. Barry Jackson, First Sergeant for the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

He noted that it gives Airmen the opportunity to help the country of Iraq from a different angle. By providing the children of Iraq (the future leaders) the school supplies necessary to get a good education it not only strengthens the U.S. and Iraqi relations today but builds a bond that will last for generations.

The base-wide project has been going on for more than a year and floods of Airmen come out to show their support each time.

Airmen first unloaded truck beds full of boxes and began sorting through them to separate the different school items.

With tables lined up like an assembly line Airmen filled the different stations and began to work like a machine. Starting with an open bag, in a shopping spree fashion, Airmen filled them to the top with pencils, paper, notebooks, folders, crayons, scissors and other helpful utensils Iraqi children may find useful for the upcoming school year. More than 450 complete school kits were put together in under an hour.

"Without our help the children wouldn't have the appropriate supplies they need to attend school," said Senior Airman Christopher Falicon, Network Configurations for the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron.

Although many boxes contained school supplies there was a plethora of toys that were going to the children.

Soccer balls, a favorite with Iraqi children, were pumped, sent and are ready to play with. Also included in the boxes were fluffy stuffed animals, games, puzzles and crafts.

"Love never fails," said Chaplain (Major) Richard Fitzgerald, 407th AEG Chaplain. "OIC supports the effort in Iraq by acquiring the love and understanding between nations and cultures."

All of the items were donated from Air Force installations and private organizations all over the world, said Sergeant Jackson, a Philadelphia, Pa. native. Also, many Airmen here at Ali Base solicited donations from home units in the states and overseas.

Churches, professional organizations, individuals and families contributed all came together to make a difference.

The packages will be given out by Airmen that make frequent trips to local villages before the school year starts. The Airmen will make sure that all the supplies get to the children so they are able to maximize there schooling.

Operation Iraqi Child display's the support servicemembers and civilians around the U.S. and abroad for the youth of Iraq.

"It shows the Airmen that they can make a difference in Iraq through caring and assisting those in need," said Sergeant Jackson. "The long term effects of this program will have an effect on the Airmen of Ali Base and the children of Iraq forever."