Shoe drive a huge success

Well the collection process for the Shoes for Iraqi Children drive has come to an end this week. I’m proud and amazed to say that through the efforts and hard work of family and friends they were able to collect an immense 1,200 pairs of shoes and 300 lbs. of clothing. They inundated the U.S. Postal Service with 54 large boxes that are now on their way to us in Iraq. I knew that loved ones back home would do a great job with this shoe drive, but I never realized that they’d be this successful. This has been a huge project and I am so thankful that so many great people (many of which I love very much) put their time and energy into this. I hope they all realize the importance of the work they have done and can take satisfaction in knowing that they are going to make so many children here so very happy. I think that this project will go a long way in creating goodwill between the soldiers and Iraqis in this area. I am proud to be a part of this and I sincerely thank each and every person who was able to contribute.

I’m lucky. People back home organized the donation, publicity, sorting and shipping process. My fellow soldiers and I get the easy part. We just get to have fun handing out the shoes to children. For at least the last month I have had the same dozen or so children ask me every time I see them when they get their new shoes. I think I’m going to enjoy giving to them the most because I know some of them well by now and am looking forward to delivering on a promise. Just yesterday I ran into all of them and when they saw me they all started yelling “Joey!”. It was pretty great. I didn’t know that so many of them knew me by name. I think maybe Elmo tipped them off. She probably told them that I’m an easy mark! Regardless, it felt really good, and I can’t wait to see their faces in a few weeks when they each get a brand new pair of shoes.

I learned a few lessons after nearly causing several pint-sized riots while handing out goodies over the last few months. If I wondered into a village with even a few dozen pairs of shoes with the intent of handing them out individually there would be a mob of angry, crying children formed around me in a matter of minutes. So this time the plan is to use the schools as much as possible. We will hand out the shoes and clothing in the schools while the teachers help keep it orderly. But even if we gave boxes to every school in the area we will still have quite a bit left over. We’ll take boxes out with us on patrols and hand out the shoes to children working with their parents in the fields, and any other kids we happen to run into from day to day. Also, there are several interpreters (including young Johnny of course) who would love to take back clothing and shoes to the people of their villages when they visit home. This way all of this stuff will eventually find its way to communities all over Iraq.