Good News Corner:

Please take time to read the Archives by clicking on the date range below the navigation menu

Northwest University Students

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Hundreds of Northwest University students met at the chapel on Wednesday morning to assemble gift boxes for Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas. Above, student Alison Selin wrote a Christmas note to a soldier in Iraq while a cameraman from KING5 News recorded. On this one day, students assembled 2,400 packages toward Operation Iraq’s goal of sending 10,000 packages to soldiers in Iraq during the Christmas season. More Photos to Come!!

Students Bring Spirit Of Christmas To Soldiers In Iraq

Saturday, November 18, 2006

For the article please visit www.kirotv.com

Holiday spirit

By Sherry Grindeland
Seattle Times staff columnist

Ruth Ann Young, of Woodinville, received an early holiday gift. She found space to continue Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas.

Northwest University in Kirkland has donated room for the packing and storing.

Young started the campaign in 2003 out of her former Kirkland storefront. Volunteers packed gift boxes that were sent to American troops in Iraq. The campaign, which has shipped nearly 30,000 boxes in three years, moved to a shopping center in 2004 and 2005.

That space was no longer available. Due to family demands, Young closed her store early this year. She has been searching for free space ever since.

Timing was tight. The packages need to be ready to ship by early December.

Seneca donated 9,000 bags of apple chips this week. Tim's Cascade has sent 2,500 bags of potato chips. Now she needs cash, paperback books and small toiletries to get Operation Iraq off the ground.

"We are still 100 percent donated," Young said. "I'm proud of that, but we need help. We're going to start packing by the middle of next week."

Young can be reached at 425-885-0796.

Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com

Thanksgiving Schedule

Packing will continue until 5 PM on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 22 and start again on Friday the 24th at 12:30 PM. For those of you who have been emailing in offers to help out, please include your full email address and contact phone number in the text of the message so that we can get in touch with you.

Seneca arrived, Shipped Boxes on Friday

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Apple chips from Seneca arrived today, and we're expecting our delivery of shipping boxes on Friday. Ruth Ann is working on procuring other supplies so that packing may be able to start on Monday. Please email her to schedule volunteer groups in advance.

We encourage everyone to take a moment and email their friends and family! Let them know this is your charity of choice for the Christmas season! Letting them know we need all the support we can get to touch the hearts of as many Americans possible.

Donations of All Kinds are Welcome

Please see the "Most desired items" page for items that we are hoping to receive from our wonderful donors and volunteers. We would also like to encourange the following items because they add a great personal touch to our packages.

• Thanks, Troops!" artwork by kids
• Letters and notes of appreciation from youngsters (from grades 1-12)

Starting the 2006 Season at a New Location!

We are pleased to announce:

Northwest University has welcomed us to headquarter

“Operation Iraq : The Spirit of Christmas 2006” on their campus.

The location is the Butterfield Chapel on the University campus, situated in the Houghton area of Kirkland. Please check the Northwest University website for directions and maps.

Our Christmas Letter to the Troops

Friday, November 10, 2006

Good friend Pascal Collins and Ruth Ann Young put a Heartfelt letter together that will be included in each Precious Christmas Package to our military serving our country.

And has been done on behalf of all the volunteers and donors that have contributed to make this as successful as possible.

Thank you for your continuing support. Blessings to you and your loved ones this upcoming Christmas season.

Ruth Ann Young