'Victory Boxes' Are Trying To Win Iraqi Children's Hearts

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Houston Chronicle
December 2, 2006
Colleyville resident leads effort that has sent thousands of school supplies
By John W. Gonzalez, Houston Chronicle
It started with a soldier's suggestion.
Rather than showering U.S. troops with care packages, why not send them school supplies to distribute to impoverished Iraqi children?
Thirteen months later, nearly 5,500 "victory boxes" filled with educational items and other children's gifts have been handed out by soldiers — all because a Texas woman wants to win the hearts of young Iraqis.
Mary Margaret Halleck, 58, of Colleyville, had learned the ropes for sending gifts overseas when her stepson was deployed to Iraq two years ago. Even after he returned, she shipped packages to other troops.
Last year, an Army officer thanked her for her effort but said Iraqi children desperately needed support as well.
"He said, 'If you want to send anything else, could you send things for the children, because it's important that we win their hearts. We've got to get them in school. School supplies would be great,' " Halleck said.
Initially, Halleck used only personal funds to buy school supplies and ship them to soldiers who had direct contact with Iraqi civilians. When she realized the need was far greater than her resources, Halleck sought help from friends and civic organizations.
Now Halleck distributes "victory boxes" for others to fill with gifts and mail to Iraq. Through word of mouth, a Web site and coverage in military publications, Halleck's project has taken off this year.
To send thousands of gifts to Iraq and Afghanistan, she's collaborated with a variety of groups and individuals, including churches, schools, clubs, gardeners, several Houstonians and University of Mississippi sororities and fraternities.
"It's phenomenal. Just in the last few months, I've had people from 20 states contact me and want to send victory boxes," she said.
The USPS flat-rate boxes, which require $8.10 in postage, contain an information sheet with suggestions for gift items and a customs declaration form. A pre-addressed label sends it to one of several soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who collaborate with Halleck. She ships only the labels and the other information to those who can obtain the boxes where they live.
It's a low overhead operation. Halleck buys boxes by the hundreds and stores them in her garage. Volunteers help prepare the labels and boxes, emblazoned with the letter "V" so they are easily recognized.
Although Halleck doesn't know what goes in every box she distributes, she urges donors to send items for children, especially school supplies, educational toys, clothes and shoes. The list of "don'ts" includes religious items, sexually explicit materials and meat products.
Sometimes the boxes are filled by U.S. children, Halleck added. "Children are really good at it. They know what to send other kids," she said.
The U.S. military has embraced Halleck's effort. Several soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division who distributed the items were recently quoted in their unit's publication saying the effort has generated significant good will.
"This is a great program because there is such a huge need for supplies in Iraq," civil affairs officer Capt. Mark Griffin of San Antonio said. "Giving the children items they need helps them get over the fear of people in uniform," he said.
For more information on the victory boxes, visit the Web site www.victoryboxes.com.
 
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