Kiwanis Volunteers Send Packages To Help Troops
Posted: Dec 26, 2007 09:50 PM

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - It's the day after Christmas, but the holiday spirit is still going strong in Clarksville.

Members of the Kiwanis Club have shipped load of gifts to troops in the 101st Airborne Division. In the past two weeks, about 6,000 pounds of DVDs, food and school supplies have been sent to Iraq. 

Individuals, clubs and companies donated about $10,000 worth of gifts.

The community effort began with one local businessman's idea.

Smithfield Industries ships precision parts to 29 different states.

But Ron Smithfield was most proud about a different type of assembly line in one of the company's conference rooms.

"Two years ago, I saw a picture of soldiers passing out school kits to children," he said. "I thought, 'Wow, we could do that.'"

And they did.

"So when folks like Ron Smithfield and Ted Krozer sent out the call in the community and said we want to do something to support our soldiers and families, this community responded overwhelmingly," said Christy Batts of CDE Lightband.

The call to action reached beyond Clarksville.

Smithfield said a company in Lawrenceburg sent a whole pallet of plastic bags. Kiwanis Club members packed school supplies for Iraqi children and teachers.

"The troops are building rapport, building trust with the Iraqi people, and the best way to do that is through children," Smithfield said.

Ron Smithfield (left photo) and Christy Batts (right photo)

Source: http://newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?s=7545446

Thanks to Amy Watson and News Channel 5 for a great story last night and this morning about the "Christmas for Our Troops" Project.
 
Also, thanks to Ted Crozier, Christy Batts and CDE Lightspeed, Susan Spears, Pres. of the Shelbyville Kiwanis Club, Grandpas Outdoor, Play It Again Sports, Dynapak, Inc. of Lawrenceburg (20,000 zip-lock plastic bags), the Marine Corps League (toys), Valerie Hunter-Kelly and Mark Kelly, Wendell Gilbert, The  Leaf Chronicle, WJZM Radio, WCVQ Radio, Juliette and Dick Roak, and numerous citizens who contributed books, food items, cookies, soccer balls, books and DVD's, and money to make this project successful.

Overall, two shipments totalling about 7000 lbs and valued at $14,000 were donated and shipped to the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) in Iraqi.  Four hundred soccer balls were shipped on the first shipment for teh soldiers to give to Iraqi children.  Also,about 200 school kits plus 20 teacher kits along woth extra paper, notebooks and pencils were sent to be given to Iraqi school children.  We hope to get pictures back from Iraq showing the school supplies being given out.

Thanks to all Kiwanians and the Board of Directors who supported this project!

Ron Smithfield,
Chairman,
Kiwanis Memories of Service & Sacrifice Committee

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