Backpacks for Iraq

Our first national project, but only the beginning.

As new Marine moms and just on the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, we found ourselves in need of a mission of our own. Our children were serving our country in a war zone a world away. Our biggest question was 'how can we help?'

If we couldn't help our children fight a war, the next best thing would be to reach out to the people of Iraq with goodwill. Backpacks for Iraq would be our means to support and to protect our children. Our local Marine moms group gathered donations and held packing parties. Each backpack was filled with school supplies and boxes were packed for shipping. With the help of Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines, Evergreen Humanitarian Services, and the Oregon National Guard over 6,000 lbs of school supplies were sent to Iraq.

US Marines and soldiers, along with the Spanish Army distributed to the children and teachers of Najaf, Iraq, our gift of more than 600 filled backpacks in the fall of 2003.

Today, the Marine Corps Family Foundation continues to organize projects to support our Marines and soldiers. And, you can help too!

Email: info@marinecorpsfamilyfoundation.org

We continue to receive requests for school supplies for Iraqi children. Marines and soldiers know that building working relationships with the people of Iraq and especially the future leaders, the children of Iraq is a very good thing. The Marine slogan “ No Worse Enemy, No Better Friend says it all.

If you or your organization would like to participate contact the Marine Corps Family Foundation.

Program Outline

• We worked with SGT Katie Utecht of the Najaf Government Support Team. This reserve unit from Wisconsin was attached to 1/7 Marines in Najaf.
• Donations came in from other Marine parents and businesses across the United States. Health Promotions Now was the biggest corporate sponsor of the Oregon response, donating all pens, pencils, coloring books, and securing 600 backpacks for us at cost.
• 100 classroom boxes were also sent, containing teacher and classroom supplies.
• We mailed 600 backpacks to schools in Najaf in November 2003. Since 1/7 Marines had already returned home, we worked with the Spanish Army to coordinate distribution of the backpacks and supplies.
• At least 200 bags were sent to each age group - Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary schools. The items included:

200 Kindergarten Bags (Ages 4-5)

• 1 Small Backpack
• 2 80 Sheet Wide Rule Notebooks
• 1 Coloring Book
• 1 Box of Crayons (8 pack)
• 3 No. 2 Pencils 1 Pencil Sharpener (1 hole)
• 1 Rubber Eraser

200 Primary School Bags(Ages 6-12)

• 1 Small Backpack
• 3 80 Sheet Wide Rule Notebooks
• 1 Coloring Book
• 1 Box of Crayons (8 pack)
• 5 No. 2 Pencils
• 1 Pencil Sharpener (1 hole)
• 1 Rubber Eraser
• 2 Ball point Pens
• 1 Easy Reading English Book (students start learning English at age 11)

250 Secondary and High School Bags (Ages 12-18)

• 1 Backpack
• 5 80 Sheet Notebooks
• 1 Box Color Pencils
• 1 Pencil Sharpener (1 hole)
• 5 No. 2 Pencils
• 1 Rubber Eraser
• 2 Ball point Pens

100 Teacher Bags

• 10 Scissors
• 2 Box Ball point Pens
• 2 Box Red Pens 2 Box No.
• 2 Pencils 10 Rulers
• 4 Boxes Multi-Colored Chalk
• 4 Boxes White Chalk
• 5 Chalkboard Erasers