AMASSING SUPPLIES: Overseas outreach

Drive required daily trips to drop-off site to retrieve donations

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When 10-year-old Drew Stone asked his mother for a scooter and she turned him down, he did what many children may have done -- he turned to his father.

Lt. Spencer Stone is an officer in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Baghdad. And when he told his son about the 752,000 youngsters living in Baghdad outside the International Zone who didn't even have school supplies, Drew re-evaluated his priorities.

He decided he wanted to help youngsters in the International Zone, formerly known as the Green Zone, a heavily guarded area of closed-off streets in central Baghdad where U.S. military authorities live and work.

"I thought Iraqi children don't have a lot to play with out of the Green Zone, or as we call it, the safe zone," Drew said.

With the help of his mother, Catherine, Drew started collecting school supplies, toys and coats for the children in Iraq.

The fifth-grader passed out fliers and asked students for donations during Garehime Elementary's morning announcements.

"I thought I'd send a couple of boxes of school supplies and teach (Drew) a lesson to be thankful," said Catherine Stone.

But so many items were donated that the school staff was unable to walk through the principal's office, which was being used as the drop-off site. Catherine Stone had to retrieve the donations daily and bring them home.

"We barely had room one day," said Drew. "I had to drive home with someone else."

Drew has been in charge of moving all the items from the car to an upstairs bedroom and cataloging everything on the computer.

"People surprise you sometimes," said Catherine Stone. "I'm surprised of how much brand-new stuff we got."

Even Soccer World, a local sporting goods store, got behind the campaign. The retailer closed its Decatur Boulevard location and donated everything it had in stock.

For two weeks, Drew and Catherine Stone collected crayons, rulers, notebooks, markers, glue, backpacks, clothes and coats.

The last night of collecting supplies was Nov. 19 during Garehime Elementary's Going to Town Night. The event is held annually and allows students to purchase donated items with Garehime Gold, play money they earn during the school year.

"Kids donated their Garehime Gold," said Catherine. "Even though it didn't help, it was really nice."

The Stone family also received their first cash donation of $100 to help ship the supplies. The shipping will cost about $2,000, the Stones estimate.

Although collections of supplies have ceased, financial contributions are still being accepted. To contribute, contact Catherine Stone at 415-6224.