HUMPHREYS GARRISON - Thanks to a Garrison-wide community service effort led by Humphreys American School students, more than 800 Iraqi school children from Tariq Benziat Elementary school in the Huriya section of Baghdad received hundreds of pounds of Humanitarian Aid there, March 19.
HAS student council members spearheaded a donation drive during February after hearing about efforts of American Soldiers at Camp Liberty, Iraq to collect HA items to help the children of Iraq.
"We received an e-mail during the first week of January, asking if anyone would be willing to help out with HA supplies for children in Iraq," said Jim Shulson, HAS teacher and middle school student council mentor. "Michelle Cole, who mentors the elementary school student council and I decided to take on this challenge because we believed it was a great community service opportunity for our students."
Shulson said HAS student council members set a month-long goal to collect donations, placing plastic tubs in classrooms and the school front office for students to leave donations in.
"We wanted new things, and especially school supplies but old clothes and toys were also welcome," he said. "There was a competition going between elementary school classrooms and middle school classrooms that provided a lot of motivation among the entire student body and their Families, and we exceeded all our expectations."
The inspiration for this HA donation drive began with U.S. military transition team and civil affairs officers assigned as advisors to the 6th Iraqi Army Division.
"We're trying to put a new face on the Iraqi Army and demonstrate to the people of Baghdad that this is a new and improved army and not the Saddam Hussein army of old," said Maj. James Mullin, combat advisor to 6th IA Div in an e-mail. "Iraqi soldiers are sincerely dedicated to improving the health, morale and welfare of the Iraqi people. One way they do this is by providing humanitarian aid supplies and services to the people in the Baghdad area of responsibility."
HAS students and their Families rallied to this cause - and in just a few weeks time, collected more than 25 boxes of clothing, food, medical supplies, toiletries, school supplies, toys and candy for Iraqi children. Mullin linked up with his Iraqi Army counterparts and delivered the HAS HA items in one day.
"The school staff set up tables in the courtyard and organized children into classes," said Mullin. "The principle gave an introduction and songs were sung by children as they gave us their greetings. Once the principle explained why we were there, there was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement in the children's eyes.
"Once the supplies were set up, teachers filed the students by to receive a variety of HA supplies - most of which were donated from HAS - and each child received something and also interacted with Soldiers who rotated into the school, visiting classrooms, talking with children and taking pictures with them," said Mullin.
Mullin said they don't go to schools and hand out supplies unless every child can receive something. This is Mullin's third deployment of his Army career.
"During my previous deployments, I was involved in HA activities and it's a part of what the U.S. Army does in today's ever-changing world," he said. "We are dedicated to helping the people in the areas we deploy to, to improve their quality of life and alleviate suffering. It brings me personal joy and satisfaction to deliver HA supplies and to make life better for people. I love to see the smiles on the faces of children when we hand out toys and candy and school supplies to them. It makes all of the hard days and long hours worthwhile, and I know I'm doing something tangible to improve the lives of those less fortunate than me."
In January, Mullin sent an e-mail to Maj. Bert Newbill, 6th IA Div. military transition team advisor in January asking if he knew anyone who would be willing to donate HA items to Iraqi children. The e-mail began to circulate 'among friends' and found its way all the way to South Korea and HAS.
"I forwarded Maj. Mullin's message to 'a few' of my friends, relatives and colleagues around the globe, and the response and support has been great," said Newbill in an e-mail. "I was never really in a position to do something like this before so I took advantage of this opportunity to give something back to those who really need a little help in starting their lives over again."
Mullin and Newbill initially received 16 boxes of HA supplies - mostly from Soldiers at Camp Liberty, during the first few weeks of the HA donation drive effort. These boxes quickly found their way to Iraqi children.
"We went on a joint mission with our Iraqi counterparts and distributed our first collection of supplies to Asya Elementary School in Baghdad," said Mullin. "These items, along with supplies from the IA helped bring joy to the faces of more than 300 children in January."
Mullin said donations they distribute will have a variety of benefits to the Iraqi people.
"HA drives help Iraqi school children have pens, pencils and notebooks to perform their studies and improve their education," he said. "The toys and candy make the children happier and these are items they would otherwise not have to enjoy. The clothing and toiletries help to clothe people and improve the health and sanitary conditions for them. All of the donations we receive make life better for Iraqi families."
Mullin added distribution of HA supplies demonstrates the kindness and generosity of American people and the U.S. military. "We show them in actions - not words - that we are dedicated to improving their living standards and are concerned with their well-being."
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