News & Events

CINCINNATI - February 12th 2008 - Over the last few months The Thank You Foundation has been leading efforts to help supply U.S. Armed Forces with toys, clothes and school supplies that are being distributed to children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Foundation had been contacted by an Army Chaplain Cpt. Bryan Smith who reported that as he walked on patrols in the Karhk district of Baghdad he saw conditions that compelled him to do something for the children living there. Captain. Smith contacted The Thank You Foundation for assistance.

John Guinn, President and Founder of The Thank You Foundation talked with Joe Walter who at the time managed the Cincinnati Office of Haverstick Consulting. Most years Haverstick employees adopt needy families in the Cincinnati area. This year they adopted the mission of Captain Smith. With the aid of Foundation volunteer Lauren Hill who also works for Haverstick, employees started donating items and funds to help ship boxes to Iraq.

At the same time Eric Schneiderman was contacted by a friend of his from Mason who was serving in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Colin Masterson had asked his friend if he could help collect and ship toys for soldiers to give to Iraqi children while on patrol. As SSG Masterson put it, "The toys are especially helpful when we go into people homes."

Eric worked with several schools in Mason and between JF Burns Elementary, Good Sam College of Nursing, Mason Middle School and St. Susanna's girls basketball team they collected 15 large boxes of supplies.

When it was counted the totals came to

• 600 beanie babies/stuffed animals.
• hundred's of assorted small toys (several thousand)
• two large boxes of school supplies
• eighteen bags of candy
• two large boxes of toiletries (lip balm, wet wipes, brushes, hairbands, etc.)
• one Large box of art supplies, stickers, decorative picture frames, etc
• half a box of drink mixes and dry goods

Eric then contacted The Thank You Foundation for help getting the items shipped overseas. Since the Foundation was already working to get supplies sent over Guinn readily agreed to help.

All in all over 20 large boxes were sent to help Iraqi children.

There was more to do

That was not all the Foundation did during the holidays. In addition to the large boxes of toys, school supplies, and clothes, the foundation sent over 300 care packages and several thousand cards to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and supported several military families in the Cincinnati area with gifts and food.

The families the Foundation assisted ranged from those of deployed troops, to Veterans who just needed some support, and one Gold Star Family.

The Foundation received support from several private business owners and Churches that wished to remain anonymous.

Boxes of toys and school supplies headed to Iraq

Children separating toys

Children collect toys for Iraqi children

Volunteers Jim Robinson, Jimmy & Pat Kay help pack boxes

Volunteer Lori Jones packing boxes

Joe Walter and Kim Howland of Haverstick Consulting

Haverstick employees collect school supplies for Iraqi children

A volunteer preparing to deliver gifts and food