Courtesy Photo | Indianapolis Scouts help pack donated popcorn to benefit Iraqi Scouts. The 2.5 tons of...... read more read more
* DHL Shipping 2.5 Tons of Popcorn for Iraqi Scouting Program
* Initiative Supports "Declaration of Principles" for Friendship and Cooperation Between U.S. and Iraq
* Boy Scouts of America, Corporate Donations and Americans serving in Iraq Fund Scouting Program
PLANTATION, Florida - DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company, announced it is working with the Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America to help raise funds for the youth of Iraq. As part of this effort, DHL will be shipping 2.5 tons of popcorn to Iraq, which will be used to raise funds for the Iraqi Scouting initiative.
Iraq's youth scouting program reemerged in 2004 through the efforts of the Green Zone Council, a volunteer group of U.S. civilian and military personnel in Iraq. Scouting promotes respect for others and the environment, diversity of cultures, goal setting, competence and confidence building and leadership skills. With the support of local scouting organizations and businesses in the U.S., the Iraqi scouting program has grown to 150,000 members, which includes Boy Scouts as well as Girl Guides, the equivalent of Girl Scouts in the U.S.
DHL is donating its shipping services to transport 2.5 tons of Trail's End popcorn to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. A long-lived fundraising tradition within scouting, the sale of the popcorn will generate as much as $25,000 for the purchase of much needed supplies for youth scouting activities across Iraq.
"Support of the youth scouting initiative in Iraq is one important step in the Iraqi government's program to rebuild its infrastructure and its institutions, and illustrates the U.S. commitment to strengthening its ties with the Iraqi government and its people," said Michael Taylor, Sr. Manager for U.S. Government Operations at DHL.
In August 2007, the "Declaration of Principles" was signed between the governments of the U.S. and Iraq, committing both to the development of a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship. The Iraqi Scouting program serves in the spirit of that Declaration, encouraging cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.
The fundraising efforts for the Iraqi Scouting program in the U.S. are spearheaded by Boy Scouts of America volunteers in Northern California's Pacific Skyline Council, which has raised nearly $14,000 for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in Iraq, providing much needed equipment such as uniforms, cooking utensils and appliances, furniture, tents, computers and flags. In Iraq, Green Zone Council fundraisers have raised more than $100,000 for Iraqi Scouting. Along with providing equipment, U.S. fundraising efforts boost the program's profile in hopes of restoring Iraqi membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the international governing body of Scouting.
"With the tireless support of dozens of local scouters donating hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars, we have been able to financially, morally and physically support the Iraqi Scouting efforts, "said Keith Blackey, founder and coordinator of Pacific Skyline Council's Iraqi Scouting efforts. "Though proud of our contributions, so much more will be done now that Trail's End Popcorn and DHL have joined our efforts."
From DHL's facility in Indianapolis, Ind., hundreds of cases of microwave popcorn, caramel corn, and kernels, donated by Trail's End Popcorn Company of Indiana, will be transported via a 53'tractor-trailer to DHL's primary air and ground hub in Wilmington, Ohio, where it will be flown to JFK airport and onwards to the Middle East.
Scouts and volunteers from central Indiana's Crossroads of America Council will prepare the shipments before they are loaded onto vehicles at the DHL service center today at 4:00 PM. DHL is located at 2905 Fortune Circle West, Indianapolis, Ind.
Fast Facts on the Popcorn
2.5 tons of popcorn on 6 pallets
16,000 microwave pouches, equating to over 200,000 cups of popped popcorn or 6 million kernels of popcorn.
600 pounds of caramel corn with nuts
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2008 09:54 |
| Story ID: | 15775 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 944 |
| Downloads: | 833 |
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