Operation Iraqi Child donations packed, ready

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group
ALI BASE, Iraq --  More than 50 Airmen from across the 407th Air Expeditionary Group came together here  Dec. 22 to help sort through thousands of school supplies items, toys and more for children in southern Iraq.

Hundreds of boxes filled with donations were gathered to support the Operation Iraqi Child project.

"We are truly among people who care about the future of Iraq," said Col. Matthew Dorschel, the 407th AEG commander.

"It is evident that our families and friends back home deeply care for the Iraqi people," Colonel Dorschel said to the volunteers standing amidst the heaping boxes.

"The outpouring of support is fantastic," said Colonel Dorschel, who is deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

A base-wide project, started just a little over a month ago, turned into an outpouring of support from servicemembers' families and friends, both stateside and overseas.

Airmen unloaded truck beds full of boxes and went straight to sorting through them.

Box after box of school supplies were organized. An assembly line of about 30 Airmen went to each supply station, opening up bags in trick-or-treat fashion while other Airmen put in pencils, paper, notebooks, folders, crayons, scissors and other items. At least 2,000 kits were put together in just under three hours.

"Giving these school supplies to the kids is great," said Airman 1st Class Derek Hatcher from the 407th Provost Marshall's Office.

"This deployment has been a blessing for me, being able to help volunteer for this gives me a good feeling knowing I'm helping the Iraqis get back on their feet," said Airman Hatcher who is deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

Although many boxes contained school supplies, the number of toys and clothing donated also came in bounds.

More than 100 soccer balls, a favorite with Iraqi boys, were pumped up and ready for play. Thousands of fuzzy bears, beanie babies, games, matchbox cars and dolls were bagged with care. Also included in the mix were puzzles, crafts and lots of clothing, blankets and shoes.

"As we're going through the transition of a new rotation, this was the perfect time because the folks deploying in will be able to carry the torch and continue (to support) the endless need for school supplies as people of Iraq continue to gain strength and stability," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Coyle, the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, who is deployed from RAF Mildenhall, England.

Operation Iraqi Child isn't about the holidays, it is about the spirit of giving -- and family and friends from around the U.S. and abroad have shown that spirit, said volunteers.

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