Operation Iraqi Children
Encyclopedia
Operation International Children (formerly Operation Iraqi Children) is a charitable program created in 2004 to send school supplies to Iraqi children. In March 2004, actor Gary Sinise
(Forrest Gump
, Apollo 13
) and author Laura Hillenbrand
(Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
,Seabiscuit: An American Legend
) announced the launch of Operation Iraqi Children, a program that will enable Americans to send School Supply Kits to Iraqi children. OIC is a program administered by People to People International
(PTPI), an NGO with a U.S., not-for-profit [501(c)(3)] tax rating. The executive committee consists of Sinise, Hillenbrand and PTPI's President and CEO, Mary Jean Eisenhower
.
OIC first expanded its outreach program to children in Afghanistan, and children in the United States who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina
. Since, OIC has expanded its reach to children in need around the world, including the Phillippines, Panama, Haiti, Djibouti, and the list grows.
In recognition of our efforts, OIC was voted “Best Bridge Builder” of 2006 by Reader's Digest
Magazine and has received an official letter of endorsement from the White House.
Supplies are distributed by U.S. and allied military forces.
"I have seen Iraqi kids climbing on our soldiers and hugging them and kissing them," remembers Sinise, who accompanied Army soldiers to a dilapidated school they were rebuilding. "I have seen their smiling faces and their attempts to say 'I love you' in broken English. The folks I saw had hope in their eyes and gratitude in their hearts for what was done for them."
Twice, OIC has been represented in meetings with President George W. Bush.
To date, OIC has delivered over 300,000 School Supply Kits to needy children around the world - in addition to books, toys and sports equipment.
Gary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
(Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
, Apollo 13
Apollo 13 (film)
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan and Ed Harris. The screenplay by William Broyles, Jr...
) and author Laura Hillenbrand
Laura Hillenbrand
Laura Hillenbrand is an American author of books and magazine articles.Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Hillenbrand spent much of her childhood riding bareback "screaming over the hills" of her father's Sharpsburg, Maryland, farm. A favorite of hers was Come On Seabiscuit, a 1963 kiddie book. "I read...
(Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is a 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, author of the best-selling book Seabiscuit: An American Legend...
,Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Seabiscuit: An American Legend is a non-fiction book written by Laura Hillenbrand published in 2001 about the thoroughbred race horse, Seabiscuit. It won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and was made into a feature film in 2003. It has also been published under the title: Seabiscuit - The...
) announced the launch of Operation Iraqi Children, a program that will enable Americans to send School Supply Kits to Iraqi children. OIC is a program administered by People to People International
People to People International
People to People International was established on September 11, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as part of the U.S. Information Agency...
(PTPI), an NGO with a U.S., not-for-profit [501(c)(3)] tax rating. The executive committee consists of Sinise, Hillenbrand and PTPI's President and CEO, Mary Jean Eisenhower
Mary Jean Eisenhower
Mary Jean Eisenhower , the granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, has worked to develop and expand the mission of People to People International [PTPI]. Eisenhower became the Chief Executive Officer of PTPI in January 2000 and its President in 2003. She still holds these titles.-Early life:Mary...
.
OIC first expanded its outreach program to children in Afghanistan, and children in the United States who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
. Since, OIC has expanded its reach to children in need around the world, including the Phillippines, Panama, Haiti, Djibouti, and the list grows.
In recognition of our efforts, OIC was voted “Best Bridge Builder” of 2006 by Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
Magazine and has received an official letter of endorsement from the White House.
Supplies are distributed by U.S. and allied military forces.
"I have seen Iraqi kids climbing on our soldiers and hugging them and kissing them," remembers Sinise, who accompanied Army soldiers to a dilapidated school they were rebuilding. "I have seen their smiling faces and their attempts to say 'I love you' in broken English. The folks I saw had hope in their eyes and gratitude in their hearts for what was done for them."
Twice, OIC has been represented in meetings with President George W. Bush.
To date, OIC has delivered over 300,000 School Supply Kits to needy children around the world - in addition to books, toys and sports equipment.