Released: March 11, 2004
435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) —
Iraqi children and adults will soon be wearing clothes donated by the Kaiserslautern
Military Community and it all started with a mass e-mail that reached Mrs.
Kristi Jens, a community volunteer.
“… In this village, live several men, women and children
who are walking around with no shoes, socks and tattered clothing,” Spec. Kate
Medina, C 47th Forward Support Battalion, stationed in Iraq, wrote in a mass
e-mail Dec. 3. “It is so sad. I am asking that you help me with this in any
way that you can.”
Specialist Medina was hoping that the KMC could mail her the
items through the Military Postal System, but postal and military regulations
would not allow it.
Instead of a good idea stopping there, Mrs. Jens took up the
challenge to find another way to get the “sure-to-be” KMC donations to Iraq.
“To think that I could make such a large positive impact on
someone less fortunate than I by simply giving clothing and a little time, there
was no way I could not try to help,” she said.
She enlisted the help of several Army and Air Force members.
Her first need was finding transportation for the donations from Germany
to Iraq. She asked around and was referred to Brig. Gen. Russell Frutiger,
deputy chief of staff, Personnel, U.S. Army Europe, Heidelberg, who enlisted the
help of Ann Bergstram, contingency operations manager, Personnel, USAREUR.
Through Mrs. Bergstram’s efforts, the Army would fly the
donations from Heidelberg to Iraq. Then it was again handed back to Mrs. Jens to
get the items from Kaiserslautern to Heidelberg, but she had the answer at home.
Her husband, Tech. Sgt. Dale Jens, quality assurance
inspector, 86th Maintenance Group, 86th Airlift Wing, said that it would be no
problem to sign out a truck from the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron and
drive the much-needed donations to Heidelberg.
“I thought it was a big job, a major undertaking,” said
Sergeant Jens, “but I was very proud of her for taking it on and for doing all
the organization.”
The next question was where KMC residents could leave their
donations. Mrs. Jens found drop-off points at the Ramstein Community Center here
and the chapel at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center,
Germany.
Publicity went out and the KMC was asked to donate items from
Feb. 16 to 23 – and they sure did.
At the Ramstein Community Center, there were almost 70 bags
and 25 boxes stuffed with bedding, shoes and clothing for Iraqi men, women and
children.
“This is the thing I love to do the most,” she said.
“People here are very giving, and it’s usually not a problem to get
donations.”
That day, the items were delivered to Campbell Barracks,
Heidelberg, Germany, where they will be flown to Iraq.
Now a village near the Baghdad International Airport, will
soon have shoes, socks and decent clothing because of an e-mail, Mrs. Jens’
efforts and many caring KMC residents who donated time and items.
“There are so many ways to help others.
This program was just one,” said Mrs. Jens. “Whether big or small,
always choose one that speaks to your soul. The commitment will be stronger, the
personal reward will be greater, and the set-backs won’t seem so drastic.”
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