Photo By Bradley Clark | A local Al Qosh, Iraq, citizen thanks combat medic, Sgt. Steve Stephens, for...... read more read more
By Sgt. Paula Taylor
4th Brigade Combat Team,, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
AL QOSH, Iraq – The convoy cautiously made its way through the thick Mosul traffic and headed out of the bustling city to the quiet little village of Al Qosh to deliver cheer to the townspeople.
When the Soldiers arrived, several local folks gathered around them with smiling faces and waves of joy. Children laughed and kicked soccer balls with a few of the 27th "Rough Rider" Brigade Support Battalion Soldiers.
The purpose of their mission was to talk to local leaders about future Commander's Emergency Response Projects (CERP) in the Tel Kef District and to pick up bids for scheduled projects, explained 1st Lt. Kendra Evers, battalion civil affairs officer. While they were there, they also handed out blankets, toys and candy to the displaced people and children of the village, which is something the unit has been planning to do for quite some time, she said.
"We rolled out with 1,000 blankets, 300 Beanie Babies and 7 pounds of candy," said Sgt. Steve Stephens, combat medic. "The blanket project is in its seventh month and we were finally able to see part of the end result."
Stephens began the project, which he calls "Soldiers Helping Those in Need—Iraq," during the winter months, soon after his unit arrived in country, and said it has since become a huge success.
"Major [Eric] Carnahan [battalion executive officer] and Lieutenant Evers both opened their arms to the project and are a huge reason why we were able to make the mission happen," Stephens said. "It was nice to see the battalion get behind me on this project. It made me feel like I was on the right track."
The project started off slow, but soon picked up speed after people in the U.S. began to hear about it and offered their help in spreading the word.
"Monica, with Blankets.com, and Debbie, with doonenicething.com, are both reasons why we have reached above our starting goal of 2,000 blankets," Stephens said. "We still have another 927 in storage, and when I get back from rest and relaxation, I can't wait to go back out there."
Helping Stephens with the project are several members of his unit.
"Sergeant [Christopher] Cunningham, Specialist [Stephanie] Correll, and Private 1st Class [Sandra] Brown were committee members that were able to attend," Stephens explained. "Hundreds of hours were put into "Soldiers Helping Those in Need—Iraq. People in 40 states have placed orders and three churches have donated over 100 a piece."
Stephens said he plans on continuing to collect the blankets over the next two months.
"The last order will be on August 1," he said. "There was nothing easy about putting this idea into motion. It has taken a lot of time and effort, both by myself and the committee. Looking back, I can't even begin to think that we would have reached so many people back in the states that wanted to help."
Although two of the committee members, Spc. Amy McCafferty, and Spc. Amanda Thorstenson, both combat medics, were unable to attend due to other mission requirements, Stephens felt the blanket drive was well worth the trip.
"As I was handing out the blankets, I couldn't help but think of all the people that made the mission possible. One man asked me if the blankets came from the Army. I looked into his eyes and said 'No sir, the blankets are from people back in the U.S.A. that believe in your well-being and that wanted to help.' He smiled, shook my hand and said as he walked away, 'Please tell them, thank you.' Putting a convoy like this into words is very hard to do; it's more of a feeling that you get when you know you have reached part of a goal."
What started out as an idea in Stephens head, he said, is helping thousands of people; not just here, but back home as well, because people feel good knowing they are helping others.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2007 09:48 |
| Story ID: | 10747 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 421 |
| Downloads: | 369 |
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