A unique community relations project halfway around the world literally had civilians and military people in Washington state connecting the dots to bring it full circle.

Through the coordination of NAS Whidbey Island’s Supply Department and Fred Smith , account executive with National Air Cargo, Inc., 50 backpacks and over 100 pounds of colored paper, pencils, Crayons, glue sticks, rulers, erasers and calculators are headed to Afghanistan kids.

“‘Backpacks for Afghan-istan’ is a new program started by the U.S. Army, 649th Regional Support Group,” said Equipment Operator Chief (SCW) Dana Helman in an email from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22, a Fort Worth, Texas based Reserve Seabee unit now serving in Afghanistan.

The project got rolling after Senior Chief Builder Jon Hoenig sent an e-mail to his Edmonds, Wash., church. “Our battalion is teaming up with an Army unit that goes out into the villages around here and they want to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for the school-aged kids to give them a better incentive to go to school,” Hoenig wrote Alan Doman, a friend from Edmonds Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Only about 28 percent of Afghani’s are literate, and only half the school-aged kids can read,” said Hoenig. “When the Army guys go out into the villages, they will distribute them to teachers and interested kids.”

Doman’s church went into action purchasing the school items, but costs to ship supplies overseas were too expensive. After trying to find cheaper civilian alternative mail options and a call to another Tacoma military installation to no avail, Doman wrote NAS Whidbey Island’s Public Affairs Office as a last resort. With the help of Capt. Joseph Schauble, air station Supply Officer, one of the military contract carriers, National Air Cargo, Inc., volunteered to ship the items free for a good cause.

Doman delivered the items to NAS Whidbey Island March 2, and within a couple days, the backpacks and school supplies were headed overseas.  Thanks to Supply and National Air Cargo, Inc, these implements of learning will soon be in the hands of some grateful kids.

Helman appreciated all the support saying, “I’d like to thank you for supporting us in our mission to supply all students with the basic supplies that they need to further their education. Your contributions will help us win hearts and minds and greatly enhance their ability to better their own lives.”