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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 14, 2008 No. 08-124 PROGRAM GIVES SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HOPE TO IRAQI AND AFGHAN CHILDRENWhat began as a simple plea from a soldier for school supplies for Afghan school children has grown into a program that has expanded the educational opportunities for more than 200,000 students in Iraq and Afghanistan. And now, the Kansas National Guard has lent its support to the Manhattan, Kan., based Help Us Learn…Give Us Hope program. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, joined with representatives of the Help Us Learn organization on Friday, Nov. 14 to kick off a drive to collect backpacks and school supplies for children in Iraq and Afghanistan. The supplies will be shipped to Kansas Guardsmen and other soldiers serving in those nations to distribute them to local school children. Since the program began, about 37,000 pounds of supplies have been collected and 25,000 shipped. “Any time you can help children learn, you’ve broadened their opportunities to have a better life,” said Sebelius. “School supplies that, for us, cost little and seem so ordinary will make a world of difference for these children.” “Programs like these are one of the best tools we have in the War on Terrorism,” said Bunting. “It shows Iraqi and Afghan people that we’re not the enemy, but friends who want to help them build a better future for themselves and their children.” With the Kansas National Guard’s upcoming deployment of its 60-member Agri-business Development Team in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan, along with other Kansas military in the area, Help Us Learn…Give Us Hope expects to reach another 200,000 students. “This effort gives our superb soldiers another means to win the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and it allows people here at home to engage directly in this process,”said retired Col. Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Help Us Learn organization. “We are reducing incidents and helping to bring about the stability and order that we seek.” Kansans are asked to donate pens, pencils, notebooks and a host of other school items, backpacks, book bags, small toys, toothbrushes and toothpaste and other items. To donate, drop off or send items to Help Us Learn…Give Us Hope, 4816 Lakewood Ridge, Manhattan, KS 66503. For more information, call Gary LaGrange at 785-537-7493 or go to www.helpuslearngiveushope.org. Any cash donations will be used to offset the cost of shipping the items to the units in Afghanistan and Iraq. -30-
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