Coalition forces brought some much needed cheer to school children in Umm Qasr, when they conducted a humanitarian relief mission to the Iraqi town.

Airman from the 586th and 886th Expeditionary Security Forces squadrons here joined forces with their Army and British counterparts to delivered more than a thousand school supplies and toys Nov. 14.

The supplies included most of the things children need to successfully complete a school year: Pencils, pens, notebooks, rulers and scissors -- to name a few. Other donations included clothing, stuffed animals and soccer balls.

The smiling faces of school children -- who anxiously awaited the delivery -- met the convoy of approximately 40 coalition troops.

The troops interacted with the children, handing out candy and taking photos with them, while they safely stored the supplies town council building.

According to one of the event coordinators, Tech. Sgt. John Harper of the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, the idea for the project started in August.

Sergeant Harper took the idea and began calling his local church and police department in Brownwood, Texas, for donations.

“Once I contacted them, many of the church’s Sunday school classes and the police department started getting donations ready.” Sergeant Harper said. “I expected a few boxes -- but was very surprised when I received over 50.”

Sergeant Harper extended the invitation to the rest of the camp -- and the got a great response. He eventually received more than 300 boxes from different organizations throughout the United States.

For one Airman, it was the opportunity she hoped she would have a chance to take part in while deployed to Iraq.

“It feels good knowing I could give something back to these children,” said Senior Airman Jana Sautter, deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. “I usually do a lot of volunteering for children back home -- such as organizing Christmas parties. I wanted to do something here.”

Sergeant Harper hopes this will be one of many more humanitarian efforts.

“We want to change the image local people have of us,” said the guardsman from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. “We wanted them to know we are not the terrible people they think we are -- and that we are here to help them.”