Thank you, thank you Parenthackers and everyone else who has responded so far to Edmay's call to donate stuffed animals to children in Iraq! I just received this update from Edmay:
I am receiving packages on a daily basis, sometimes two and three boxes a day. This is so incredible. The children love it.
I will be going on R&R (holiday) very soon and will have someone else take care of the mail for me until I return – this is a very short R&R and I will be returning to take care of business with the mail, toys and children.
I was honored to be invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony in Diwaniyah – this is the Mud School that I was referring to in my interview for that article that Mohammed wrote. The school has been named after Salah Obid who was an Iraqi Engineer for USACE – he wanted a better place for his children to live and took the dangerous chance of working with us – He worked with and for us for 2 years and recently was kidnapped, tortured and murdered for his beliefs. We are still saddened with this horrible act of violence by the insurgents. This goes on all the time.
The first pictures attached are the Mud School and the rest are the new and improved school with pictures of some of the children; a painting of Mr. Salah which will hang on the wall in the school; and picture of me and SGM — in the back of that one candy is being given out.
We left boxes of stuffed animals for the children – we could not stay long (as it is too dangerous to stay in one place for a long period of time when you are outside the wire) and we did not have time to actually give the toys to the children. I am sorry I do not have pictures of them receiving the toys.
Asha, please thank everyone for their great response to this mission. I do not think I will be able to thank everyone individually so please take this email as my special thanks to all who are helping. May God bless and keep you and everyone involved in the palms of His hands, safely, lovingly and protected. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
/Edmay
Keep those donations coming!
For the latest information about how to send toys to Iraq, please see the original post.
Aw. This is so nice to read. I sent off a small box today (finally, after box sitting on my table for 3 weeks) and the woman at the Post Office gave me a hard time about the mailing address. “It should have one more line” she kept saying. I told her I had double checked it. Then she said “how strange to see somone sending toys to a military base” (I had to write contents on the customs form). I just smiled.
Hey-I am sending toys to Iraq, but since toys around here are scarce, I was wondering if I could send some candy along with some clothes. I am sending about seven packages along and I figured that some sweaters and jeans and pants for teen boys and girls might be of good use. Let me know if this isn’t a good idea…
Yes, please send the candy and clothes. We will take all donations — thanks so much and God Bless./Edmay
I’m so happy I didn’t take my daughter’s toys to Goodwill yet! We have bags of things, and I’ll box them up and send them as soon as I can.
Edmay, thank you so much for doing this!
I was wodering if stuffed toy donations are still wanted? Just making sure this current.
I too was wondering if stuffed animals were still wanted. I am happy to send brand new stuffed toys to the address that was posted.
Hi Aimee, I just saw your post and yes we are still accepting toys for the little ones and the bigger ones too – the teenages love these stuffed animals too. So please send what you can we all appreciate it very much. God bless you/Edmay
Hi Edmay, I think what you are doing is wonderful. As soon as I get the shipping materials we will be sending some boxes of toys off to you. I was just wondering if you need anything else besides toys?
God bless you all.
I too am getting flack from the postal service. Here are the examples they gave me to ship to an APO. Can someone help so I can get this box mailed? THANKS!!
Examples:
SSGT Kevin Taylor
Unit 2050 Box 4190
APO AP 96278-2050
SGT Robert Smith
PSC 802 Box 74
APO AE 09499-0074
Seaman Joseph Doe
USCGC Hamilton
FPO AP 96667-3931
SGT Jane Doe
CMR 1250
APO AA 09045-1000
I do not know why the Post Office gives anyone a hard time. My address is:
Edmay Mayers
USACE – GRS
APO AE 09331
and has been for well over a year. I guess you could put:
Ms. Edmay P. Mayers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Gulf Region South District
Bldg 511 Room 24
APO AE 09331
I don’t think you need to do this but if your postal workers give you trouble go ahead and put all the above on it – honestly it is the same address as the shorter one.
Thanks to all who are participating – you are the BEST!!
/Edmay
I’m so excited to be organizing a toy and school supply drive for Edmay here at work. We’re a young staff with lots of children who get lots of toys all the time. It feels so good to be doing this.
I will send stuffed toys, and i have baby clothes- lots of them are brand new, and others comfortably worn. Also, cloth diaper covers and some other baby stuff. Would it be difficult to distribute, and is it wanted? Thank you and good work…
Just found out about this from another parent and wanted to see if stuffed toys, candy, etc. are still needed? I will donate dozens of new Beanie Babies / Buddies – are gently loved toys in good condition things that can be used too? I would like to coordinate a drive at my sons’ preschool if that is the case! Let me know, thank you!
TO ALL:
Please do not send any more toys, etc. to me in Iraq as I am going to curtail my assignment and return home early. It is just time for me to go home for numerous reasons.
I do want to thank everyone for everything you have done to help these precious children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God bless each and every one of you. You made their lives much better.
Thank you for making my life better to. /Edmay
A little change here. I have two wonderful individuals here at GRS in Iraq that have offered to take over this mission upon my redeployment. Please send your boxes to
Mr. Mike Fellenz
USACE – GRS
APO AE 09331
or
Ms. Natalie Sudman
USACE – GRS
APO AE 09331
They will keep this mission going for all concerned. Thanks again /Edmay