Whitefish students gather toys for Iraqi children

How many children do you know who would be absolutely thrilled to get a solid rubber ball for Christmas?

Or how about a kickball or a jump rope or a coloring book?

In Iraq, such small tokens could be the best toy many children have seen - much less owned - in their entire lives.

The Whitefish High School Student Council is enlisting the student body and community's help in collecting items for a group of American soldiers in Iraq who call themselves the Toy Bombers.

Thanks to them, those toys people donate will have great consequences in the life of children living in isolated Iraqi villages.

Student Council co-president Suzanne Whitehead enlisted the help of her fellow council members a couple of weeks ago, after reading a newspaper story of the Toy Bombers in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer Jared Kimber and his crew from the Army's 82nd Medical Company spotted a group of children as the soldiers flew over a village north of Kirkuk. There was plenty of skipping and clapping, but the only toy any of the children had was one flattened soccer ball.

The helicopter crew returned to base, gathered up all the balls and flying discs they could find, and flew back to drop them as gifts for the children. Grateful parents showed up to thank the soldiers for caring about their children, and a new mission was born.

The effort continues and Whitefish student leaders want to help.

For the past week, the Student Council has been advertising with posters in the hallways and announcements in the daily bulletin, asking students to bring new or used toys to put under the Christmas tree in the school library.

Fourth-period teachers tally the number of toys brought in each day. By 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, the end of the toy drive, the fourth-period class showing the greatest generosity wins a pizza party.

The Student Council now is inviting the community to pitch in.

Bring toys to the principal's office by the end of the school day Tuesday and leave them unwrapped. These will not be Christmas presents, but will brighten the lives of Iraqi children.

Be sure to bring durable toys that can withstand a drop of 50 to 100 feet, as it is unsafe for the helicopter crews to land in many instances.

Kimber and his crew offered suggestions: Nerf balls, tennis balls, solid rubber balls, soccer balls and kick balls (both deflated), stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, markers, dolls, jump ropes, flying discs, marbles, candy, gum and yo-yo's.

Cash donations to help cover shipping also are appreciated. Whitefish CARE and the Whitefish PTA are helping with shipping, as well.

Besides helping individual children who have so little, junior class president Mo Muri said this is a good way to reach beyond daily life.

"As students, we don't feel really connected to the world," Muri said. "This is a step toward getting good relations with countries who basically hate us."

If you have questions about the project or donations you can make, call the Whitefish High School office at 862-8600. Math teacher Chuck Holbrook and business teacher Jeremy Anderson are Student Council advisers.

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com