FEBRUARY 29, 2008
aaGreetings and Happy Friday!
THE FRIDAY STORY - Wheelchairs in Iraq Update

To date, we have shipped 14,525 wheelchairs to US military forces in Iraq.
When we started this program, they estimated that Iraq needs about 500,000 wheelchairs. This update just came to us this week from US Army Captain Colin J. McElroy, Civil Affairs advisor for the 3rd Iraqi Army Division (IA) stationed in Al Kasik, Iraq.

There is a subtle statement in Captain Colin’s message below that deserves mention. Imagine how well appreciated care packages from home are to our soldiers in Iraq. Note the sacrifice Captain Colin’s Civil Affairs team is making, giving up their care packages to help bond trust and cooperation! That is commendable!

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The 100 wheelchairs that you sent us were such a success, that we have pretty much exhausted the supply in just a few weeks. I can't stress enough, how much they improve operations in our area. After we delivered 10 wheelchairs to one location, insurgents immediately moved in to do their own damage control and try to re-influence the population. We finally have the enemy reacting to our actions instead of us reacting to them.

I would like to ask if you can begin to send other shipments this way, as the Iraqi Army here is making great progress in civil affairs operations and it is having a drastic effect on the enemy. Your wheelchairs are a huge success. 

Your organization and Operation Iraqi Children are the first organizations to send items our way. Up until just recently, my fellow advisors and I were relying solely on care packages from friends and family to assist with our civil affairs efforts. The donations that you sent are crucial in our continued success. Your wheelchairs have been the biggest hit so far and it seems that every village we meet is in desperate need.  Additionally, for the Iraqi Army to hand out such nice wheelchairs is also extremely impressive to the Iraqi people and assists us with fostering cooperation between the villagers and the Iraqi Army.

  • Three containers arrived in Peru.
  • Eight containers are in transit, 28 waiting for the ship, and 8 in manufacture.
  • Our Mobility in Motion 2008 campaign involves driving a 40 foot container truck around the USA.  The campaign will last 3 months and 10,000 miles.  We are looking for one or more drivers.  If you know anyone, let us know.
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