I posted this under special requests but thought it might fit here also. I received the following e-mail from a previous AS contact who has been re-deployed, but I didn't see him on AS this time. If anyone is interested in sending some school supplies or contacting SSG Johnson please e-mail me for his address.
To all my friends back home:
Many of you have asked how to send care packages and what we need. As soldiers, we are provided everything we need minus some small comfort items. However, we expect to live without and really have no complaints. So, for those people who really want to make a difference to our efforts here I have another idea. We are organizing a drive to help the children of the Taji area. I am attaching a fact sheet that describes a drive to collect back to school packages for the local students who are in desperate need. To me, this is a far more important goal than anything else we are looking to accomplish. I am asking for your help to make a difference in the lives of these innocent children. When we go out on patrols, one thing that has always struck me, here or in Afghanistan, is how similar all these kids are. I must admit sometimes, it's hard not to see my nephews eyes looking back at me. They have the same joy when they receive small gifts of toys or stickers or candy. Things they don't have access to because of their circumstances, but that mean so much to a little kid. Truly, I'd prefer that I never had to carry a gun again, but I'll never forget how it feels to work with these kids. Despite their circumstances, they run, they play, they laugh and some are shy but invariably there curiousity will bring them out when we are around. I can think of no more noble goal than doing what little I can to make their lives better. As an Army, we came here and through our might we ended a horrible regime. But through the heart and spirit of our people we have the opportunity to accomplish a much larger and more difficult task. We can help set a people on the course of freedom. Then, when our children ask why did we fight the war, we won't have to stutter or think about it. We can proudly say that we followed in our forefathers footsteps and did our best to bring freedom and a better way of life to a nation. Let's have that be our legacy here and let's be proud of it.
An American & A Soldier,
SSG Chris Johnson
OPERATION: BACK TO SCHOOL Camp Taji, Iraq
FACT SHEET
What is TEAM TAJI’s OPERATION: Back to School?
It is Camp Taji’s service project to help Iraqi schoolchildren get ready for the new school year.
Who are we?
We are Team Taji. Military, civilian, and contactor personnel deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq. We are not affiliated with any organizations (military, religious or otherwise). We are comprised of Camp Taji volunteers who would like to make a difference in the lives of local Iraqi schoolchildren.
What is our Purpose?
Help needy Iraqi schoolchildren with "Back to School Kits"
Show the Iraqi people that Camp Taji truly cares about them
Demonstrate to the Iraqi children the importance of education
Continue to enhance our relationship with the Iraqi people.
What is our Goal?
Unite the people of Team Taji to participate in this community service project
Make this the "Mother of All" school supply drives! Biggest in the history of OIF!
Collect over 10,000 "Back to School Kits!"
Distribute the school kits to needy schoolchildren in rural Iraq
Have fun while helping the Iraqi schoolchildren and also Make History!
How You Can Get Involved?
Talk to your unit representative to volunteer
Through your Family Readiness (or Support) Group, have your family and friends back in the states purchase and send you the needed school supplies no later than 15 October 2009.
All the department stores in the U.S. are having "back to school" sales right now. The entire "kit" could be purchased under $8.00.
What Makes Up a Back To School Kit?
♦ 1 Composition Notebook ♦ 1 Small Box of Colored Pencils (NOT Crayons)
♦ 3 Plain Folders w/ pockets ♦ 1 Package of Paper (wide rule) ♦ 1 Blunt Tip Scissor
♦ 1 Ruler ♦ 1 small pencil sharpener ♦ 1 large eraser
♦ 1 zipper pencil pouch ♦ 1 dozen pencils
Please all put these items inside a large 2.5 gallon size Ziploc bag
Please ensure that these items do not have imprinted religious or political messages.
We also request that all donated items be unused.
(Continue to the Back Side)
Soccer Ball Donation
Iraqi kids love to play soccer. We’ve received numerous inquiries regarding soccer ball donations. Although the OPERATION: Back to School drive is focused primarily on school supplies, we welcome donations of soccer balls. If you would like to donate a soccer ball, please send a small air pump along with the deflated soccer ball and we will distribute them to the schoolchildren.
OPERATION: Back to School Timeline
Concept Briefings to Tenant Commanders : Now
Form Steering Committee, Collection Committee and Distribution Committee
Collection Time Period: Now – 15 October 2009
Main Point of Contact: Chaplain Christopher Weinrich, 1-227 ARB, Christopher.Weinrich@iraq.centcom.mil
How Can Unit Commanders and Civilian Directors Assist the Project?
Appoint a unit point of contact to represent your unit.
Encourage everyone to participate and to help out needy Iraqi Kids.
Encourage personnel to get their families involved in the collection.
Be part of the largest humanitarian project in the AOR!
Challenge "sister" organization on number of "Back to School" kits collected.
Provide Operation: Back to School with logistic support.
Provide advice if you have experience w/ large scale humanitarian projects.