Iraqi Toy Drive update
I have added a hyperlinked button that Chief Wiggles linked to on Medic Mom's site.

If you don't yet know about the Iraqi Toy Drive being run and sponsored by US Army soldiers in Iraq, click the button for details.

I am a member of the Council on Ministries of the Tennessee Conference of the UMC. I publicized the toy drive at last Thursday's meeting.

The other ministers and the laypersons were enthusiastic about sending toys and school supplies to Iraqi children, and many of us will send you a box on our own; my family's box goes out this coming week. I have also advised my congregation of the toy drive.

The decision was taken by vote at the Council meeting to determine whether the toy drive should gain official sponsorship of the Tennessee Conference. If so, our Children's Council will endorse it as an official ministry of the Conference and distribute the necessary information to every Methodist church in Middle Tennessee, asking them to support the toy drive.

In order for this to happen, I emailed Chief Wiggles asking for answers to some brief questions:

Please describe how the donations are handled once the package arrives.

Does the Chief and his fellow soldiers make sure donations are culturally appropriate before distributing them?

Thanks so much for your willingness to help and make this happen. I really appreciate your support for this cause, insuring that Iraqi kids get the toys they desperately need. Yes we will personally insure that all the toys are in good taste and are not offensive in any way.

The chaplains here have agreed to work on this project, so they will insure that each and every toy get into the hands of the Iraqi kids. This is not part of any other program and will not be used in any other way than just distributing them to the kids. I am going to be involved personally with managing the program and working with the Chaplains. Some of the school supplies will be going to other area schools up north where I have friends, who are in the process of building new schools. I actually appreciated you asking the questions you asked.

thanks
Wiggles