Servicemembers donate items to Iraqi neighbors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) --  Airmen, Soldiers and Marines handed out more than $3,000 worth of donated items to Iraqi families Jan. 29, as part of the Sather Air Base Rising Six's good neighbor program.

The program, which began in March of 2008, collects donated items such as cloths, toys and toiletries and distributes them to the Iraqi families living in an Iraqi camp located on the base.

"The good neighbor program consists of volunteers (who organize) donations and (distribute) goods to the Iraqi families in Area Four by Sather Air Base," said Staff Sgt. Richard Ramsey, a Rising Six good neighbor program coordinator. "During the visit, U.S. military volunteers have the opportunity to talk to the families and interact with the children."

"The donations are sent two ways," Sergeant Ramsey said. "Churches, organizations, schools, friends and families of Airmen and Soldiers requesting care packages or items the program is running short of supply such as school supplies and diapers. Or organizations that donate directly to the good neighbor program."

Items that can be donated are children's clothes, shoes, toiletries, diapers, children's toys, individually wrapped candy, school supplies, blankets, towels and games.

"I think it's for a good cause," said Tech. Sgt. Anna Thornton, a program coordinator. "They have a small market where they buy things so a lot of the items that they hand (out are) really needed such as feminine products and diapers. They are extremely thankful and are waiting for us when we come by."

"I think it is a very kind thing for us to be involved in," said Airman 1st Class Brittany Sias, a volunteer from the 447th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. "I know how much they appreciate our generosity and being able to spend time and interact with the Iraqi children."

The group packs and sorts packages for children and adults, Airman Sias said. While some people delivered the packages to homes, others stayed at the park and played soccer, duck duck goose, swung on the swings, gave piggy-back rides and pushed them in a big wagon with the Iraqi children.

"I enjoyed spending time away from base to see different parts of Iraq, different cultures and being able to interact with the Iraqi children. I would most definitely suggest everybody try it during their rotation," she said. "I just think it is a very good program for us as well as the Iraqis."