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A giant container of humanitarian supplies is on the way to Iraq this afternoon. The supplies were collected by the Utah nonprofit organization Operation Give.
The supplies are being sent to the 142nd Military Intelligence Unit, which will then distribute the supplies to children.
Operation Give sends these supplies over there to give the military personnel an opportunity to connect with civilians. The container that's on the way now contains items for children, troops and even the Iraqi police.
"We want to put something into the soldier's hands that they, in return, can give out to people, hoping to make a connection with the children and with the civilians," said Paul Holton, president of Operation Give.
This project has been going on for the past five years, and donations just keep pouring in. Neither the tough economy nor decrease in war interest has affected the amount items people are willing to donate.
"What it comes down to is that people want to participate in a positive way and do something to contribute and make a difference, and that's why this is a sign of the great American spirit," Holton said.
Operation Give has more than 125 pallets to give to the troops. The containers have toys, school supplies, coats, police riot gear and care packages that were all donated by church groups, Boy Scout groups, individuals and corporations.
Some of the supplies are for the soldiers, but the majority are for the troops to give out to the Iraqi and Afghan children. "They might not speak the same language, same religion, or same culture, but everyone understands the act of giving and receiving," Holton said.
It costs about $5,000 to ship each pallet. The entire donation adds up to $350,000 just in shipping costs.
If you want to get involved, click the related link to the right of the story for more information.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
