Military community ships 10,000 pounds in donations to Philippines

Photo By Lance Cpl. Daniel Todd | Cpl. David Martinez and Lance Cpl. Joel Pinkler secure boxes from the Blue/Green Gift Box Initiative Oct. 12.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.12.2006

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Todd 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

by Pfc. Daniel R. Todd
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- After collecting nearly 10,000 pounds in donations of clothing, schoolbooks and toys, service members here shipped the goods to the Philippines Oct. 12 for distribution during the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's amphibious landing exercise.

The shipment was part of the Blue/Green Gift Box Initiative, an international outreach program intended to provide charitable donations to those in need.

Cmdr. Manuel A. Biadog, the chaplain for III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, started the Navy and Marine Corps charity initiative in 2003 after distributing donations of clothing during a deployment to the Philippines.

Throughout the last year, donations for the initiative came from all over the island, including the Marine Corps Thrift Shop, Airman's Attic, Kadena Honor Society, Edward C. Killin Elementary School and the United Services Organization, Biadog said.

The program supports other community outreach efforts as well. Biadog said U.S. forces have sent supplies to Iraq, Pakistan, Korea and East Timor through the initiative.

"I am really glad to participate in helping out the less fortunate," said Lance Cpl. Dustin Bernardino, an infantry assaultman with the 31st MEU. "It's great to help people get the things they need."

• Date Taken: 10.12.2006
• Date Posted: 10.24.2006 08:55
• Story ID: 8119
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP