The Operation Iraq" project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort that began mid-year 2003 after a retailer's store in downtown Kirkland incurred smoke damage from a fire at a neighboring business. Unable to open in time for the holiday season, she converted her store to a workshop and, thanks to approximately 21,000 volunteer hours and $200,000 in donated merchandise, assembled 6,200 holday gift boxes for U.S. troops. This year, the group hopes to send 10,000 parecels.
KIRKLAND, WA (PRWEB) September 30, 2004 -- A can-do attitude by a core group of volunteers means thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq are likely to receive holiday gift boxes this year from Kirklands Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas" project.
Kirkland retailer Ruth Ann Young, who organized last years undertaking that generated more than 6,000 parcels, said volunteers who wanted to repeat the effort this year had to overcome a number of obstacles that until last week left the prospects in doubt.
Now, thanks to donated space for assembling the goody boxes and several initial donations to jump-start the effort, the group hopes to exceed last years output. Her church, Cedar Park Assembly of God in Bothell, is again providing administrative support and its affiliated schools students are producing artwork and letters for the troops. A new donor this year, Rainier Consulting Services of Seattle, is providing web design and maintenance services.
The Junction City Family YMCA in Kansas (an affiliate of Armed Services YMCA) is again assisting with logistics for transporting the gift boxes from Fort Riley, Kansas. Local volunteers had hoped to arrange transport via a military base in Washington state but have been unsuccessful in that quest.
This outpouring of support is very uplifting," Young remarked, while acknowledging this years goal of assembling 10,000 cartons by the November 10 shipping deadline is ambitious.
The Operation Iraq" project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort that began mid-year 2003 after Youngs Spirit of Christmas" store in downtown Kirkland incurred smoke damage from a fire at a neighboring business. Unable to replace her merchandise in time for the 2003 holiday season, she converted her store into a workshop for packing gift parcels for service members. During a fast-paced span of about eight weeks, volunteers procured donations and assembled the gift cartons, which were trucked to Fort Riley, Kansas, then transported to Iraq.
When several donors and volunteers inquired about repeating the effort this year, Young – whose store reopened in July -- set the wheels in motion to find alternate space. One volunteer approached the new owners of Totem Lake Malls, whose response to a request for donated space was quick and enthusiastic.
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. (DDR), a real estate investment trust based near Cleveland, Ohio, acquired Totem Lake Malls earlier this year in a joint venture with Coventry Real Estate Advisors. Scott Schroeder of DDR said they are delighted to support the community effort to remember the troops during the forthcoming holidays. DDRs donated vacant storefront space in the lower mall will serve as the nerve" center and workshop for this years Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas" campaign.
Between now and Nov. 10, when parcels need to be shipped to Fort Riley, volunteers of all ages and donors are being recruited to help with the endeavor. Monetary donations are also sought to help underwrite the costs of the contents for each box.
Last years volunteers ranged from elementary aged kids to octogenarians. Kids drew pictures with thanks troops" and other patriotic themes that recognized the troops for their service -- an item that proved to be a favorite among the service members. Some volunteers with physical limitations helped by writing personal notes on holiday greeting cards that were tucked into each goody box. Service groups, scouting troops and church groups organized work parties to assemble, pack and seal cartons.
The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland devoted countless hours of support for the cause and has already donated funds and renewed a commitment to help with assembling and packing boxes again this year.
Also volunteering for this years endeavor is Susan Sutter, whose son, Army Sgt. Jake Herring was killed near Mosul, Iraq earlier this year. Sgt. Herring was a 2001 graduate of Lake Washington High School. In remembrance of her son, Sutter is helping with fund-raising and sewing palm-sized lavender pillows (known to repel fleas and other bugs) for Herrings fellow soldiers.
Young consulted with military officials to compile lists of most wanted" items for the gift boxes. The wish list includes holiday CDs, nonperishable snacks and candy, lip balm, eye drops and powdered juice mix. Organizers also need packaging shred and packing tape for sealing the cartons.
Because Young is juggling the demands of her retail business with this project, she is also hoping to recruit volunteers to serve as shift coordinators so the workshop can operate on a regular schedule.
Details on donating and volunteering are online at www.thespiritofchristmasusa.com, or by calling 425.739-9627.
The 2003 Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas" project received a Raytheon Program Achievement Award for Best Use of Volunteers." The prestigious national award recognized an estimated 21,000 volunteer hours and $200,000 in donated merchandise. In a letter of thanks to Ruth Ann Young and her volunteers, Lt. Gen. R.J. Seitz wrote, In all my many years of association with the military I have never seen or heard of a more generous action of support. . . I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your magnificent and generous contribution to the welfare and morale of all the fine American troops serving in Iraq."
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