Iraq - adopt a school program

More good news from Iraq.

Spearheaded by MEU Service Support Group 24, the campaign provided more than 14,000 pounds of school supplies to at least 6,500 students in 10 schools. Their actions provided many children with the items they needed for a prosperous education. It also provided the Marines involved with their own particularly fond memories of a difficult deployment. [...]

"The headmasters (began) showing up at our gate asking for assistance," said 1st Lt. Keith Dillard, 31, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., and a logistics officer with MSSG-24.

Originally, the intentions for the Back to School Campaign were limited to delivering school supplies and taking class photos. But after their initial visits, the Marines learned that much more was needed to give the children an adequate learning environment.

"Once we arrived at the schools, we saw they were in very poor conditions," said Dillard. "We worked with Civil Affairs to get money for renovations."

This led to developing a "basic package" for the schools. The package included repairing the roof, fixing broken windows, replacing busted doors and painting. The Marines also fixed the lights, installed ceiling fans in classrooms, and renovated the restrooms.
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