SPREAD THE WORD: Send your used stuffed animals and toys to children in Iraq

Updated 7/08: Edmay's comrade has taken over her role, and is still accepting toy, clothing and supply donations. Send your donations to:

Michael R. Fellenz
USACE-GRN-MAO
FOB Marez
APO-AE
09334

I am speechless. I just got an email from Edmay Mayers, a member of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers who is currently stationed in Iraq. She read the post on where to donate stuffed animals, and offered her own suggestion:

Please, please, please – I know where you can give all the stuffed animals and toys away – I am presently stationed (deployed) in Iraq. The children here love the stuffed toys – I can hardly keep up with the cost of them – I am continuously ordering more and more from Oriental Trading Company and candy for the young ones too. If there is any way at all please have any and all sent to me at the address listed below and I will ensure that the children in Iraq receive all that is sent.

When I sent a followup note to be sure I had the proper address, here was her reply:

The mailing address is as follows:

Edmay Mayers
USACE - GRS
APO AE 09331

That is all there is --- it will reach me and I will give them to our PSD teams who will be more than happy to give them to the children. Please see attached photo of some of the children here that were given candy and stuffed animals on the road. These are the poorest of the poor here in Iraq - down the back roads. They are precious, innocent little ones who are just caught up in all the mess - they are beautiful.

I Googled Edmay to find out more, and came upon this amazing article about her passion for Iraqi children, posted just days ago on Operation Iraqi Freedom: Official Website of Multi-National Force - Iraq.

As soon as I'm done with this post, I'm going to box up a bunch of toys and send them in tomorrow's mail. Edmay, thank you so much for writing, and for everything you're doing. Your granddaughter will indeed be proud.

Parenthackers, please spread the word! Wouldn't it be amazing if Edmay were able to distribute toys donated by people from all over the United States? Think of the good will such a simple act could create...in a place that needs all the good will it can get.

Comments

[margaret]

If you don't have any toys you can send, you can also do what I just did--went to http://www.orientaltradingcompany.com and had some stuffed animals sent directly to her.

[Edmay Mayers]

These little words don't seem like enough but it is all I can offer for these children - Thank you -

God bless each and every one of you.

[Amber]

Will that postal address work if sending from outside the US?

[mark hammond]

We are gonna get a big package together. Great for us to pass on our son's toys to kid's who can enjoy them.

best of luck!

Mark

[Edmay Mayers]

Amber, yes the address is a good one from anywhere in the world. It is a USA postal address - The APO, AE is Armed Forces Europe which is still considered the USA. All packages can be mailed Space Available Mail (SAM) which is the least expensive instead of Priority Mail. Thanks to all who are taking part in this little mission. God bless all./Edmay

[Adam]

I just posted this on my blog (including trackback to here) as well.

I think having your child help choose which animals stay and which ones make the trip overseas helps with the loss factor. Plus it teaches goodwill and generosity :-). "You have TONS of stuffed toys and they have none at all. Wouldn't it feel great to share with them? Think about how happy they'll be because YOU chose toys to send them."

Hoping you never have a lack of toys to give to the Iraqi children!

[Karen Rani]

I blogged it for you this morning, Asha, and I'll be boxing up a bunch with friends of mine from the neighbourhood! Thanks for the heads up!

Any fellow Freecyclers out there ought to place the address on their home Freecycle.org site in the Wanted section.

[Lisa]

wow, I will start a collection. This seems like a good way to ease my worried soul about this awful Iraq occupation. Thank you so much Edmay for doing it and Asha for posting about it.

[J. Pat]

I love this idea! I'll give it some pub on the radio in Omaha, NE this afternoon. Thanks for sharing the info.

[lisa g]

Would you like gently used clothing as well?

[Edmay]

Lisa q, yes, gently used clothes would also be great --- school supplies and of course toys for them. I will continue to get the candy from www.orientaltrading.com. They cannot seem to get enough of the candy either.

To all: Thank you once again. This is so wonderful and J. Pat pub on the radio in NE, oh, wow! God bless each and every one of you for all you are doing for these precious children.

[Debbie]

Hi there, i have tons of stuffed willing to donate, where do i send them? email me back so i can send them off.
Thanks
Debbie

[Kimber]

Edmay and Asha,
I am Mothering magazine's web editor, and have written an activism alert about this effort, which will post at www.mothering.com next week. It will be featured on our homepage Tuesday (and in the activism section before and after). Our site draws enormous traffic (11 million page views a month), and I truly hope this will generate an abundant response from our readers. Your compassion is inspiring and uplifting. PEACE!

[Izzy]

I have a question...

A few weeks ago, I ordered some stuff from Oriental trading and they accidentally sent me a dozen Christmas bears. I called to tell them and they said to donate them to children somewhere. The thing is, they're Christmas bears wearing Santa hats. Would they be inappropriate for Muslim children???

[Debi-Jill]

Edmay I am a member of a group that sends goodie boxes to our troops as well as adding extras for the children in the area. From that I have learned that a lot of the children love balls as well. Would you be interested in balls or are they just to much to handle?

Also would you be interested in getting goodies for your unit. It is usually snacks and little things just to let the troops know that people at home are still thinking of them and Praying for them. I know you are busy but if you have time to email me I will be willing to explain more if you are interested.

[Edmay]

Izzy, the Christmas bears will be fine - these children do not care as long as they have something to hold. Please send them. Thanks so much to everyone. /Edmay

[Jane]

I've just posted a link to this blog on the iVillage (UK) board I contribute to, so hopefully you will be getting some parcels from the UK as well. My little boy is 6 months old, so probably won't even notice if some of the TONNES of toys we've been given suddenly disappear.

My husband (who incidentally is in the Royal Navy and has served in Iraq) also suggested that for Christmas, rather than buying our small son loads of toys that he frankly won't appreciate, we ask our family members to donate to a child related charity.

All the best with your efforts, it is an admirable endeavour.

[Umm Sami]

Neat idea! I'm an American-Muslim and will try to get the word out among other Muslims. We'll be sending out a package today as Eid is coming around Oct 22nd/23rd (Major Holiday in Islam--kids usually get money, candy, toys.)

Peace.

If you're looking for a nice treat to send, check out the Halal Crispy Treats here http://www.halalselectsnacks.com/products.asp

If you'd like to send a "Muslim" doll, check out http://www.noorart.com/s.nl?sc=19&search=razanne

[Erin R]

What about beach balls? They will be easy to ship.

[Ellery]

I am so touched by Edmay's beautiful heart and by the generosity of all who are giving. I plan on 'finding new homes' for many of my sons things to send along as well.
I certainly don't want to rain on the parade, but I do want to raise an issue for consideration. Westerners often give candy to kids they meet while travelling and unfortunately the kids' teeth end up suffering. Often there is an overwhelming lack of the dental care that we are used to in our country and I've seen slideshows of the rotting teeth of the local kids in tourist areas of rural Mexico, Africa and Nepal compared to the much healthier teeth of kids in the areas where Westerners do not go (and hand out candy). If you are faced with a choice of making a child smile by sending something to hug versus candy, please consider choosing the hug. Thanks.

[Edmay]

To all, once again Thank you -- To Debi-Jill - yes everything will be appreciated by the children and by our troops -- I tried to email you but it would not go though - I tried three times so am writing you here. Ellery you are correct regarding the teeth issue but these kids do not get the candy that often. It is rare to see the same children more than 2 or 3 times --- there are many children but of course we do not want to hurt any of them in any way so just the toys will be great. Thanks again to all, truly appreciate the spreading the word and the packages. With deepest respect for all, Edmay

[Edmay]

Received two more packages yesterday - special thanks to Suzanne from Cherry Hill and Sheila from Wauwatusa --- thanks so much. The children will love each and every thing that has been sent. God bless you. /Edmay

[Edmay]

Thanks to all --- those who have your precious ones to make drawing and books, please be assured that I will make copies of them and forward them back to you. God bless all of you - this is so overwhelming and wonderful. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Edmay