Soldier's wife collects items for Iraqi kids

SHARON, Pa. -- The wife of a local soldier serving in Iraq is directing "Operation School House," which is designed to provide Iraqi children with school supplies and stuffed animals.
Dawnle Scheetz of Sharon is trying to collect 25,000 pounds of pencils, paper, erasers, rulers, crayons and notebooks by April to be packed and sent to Iraq. Small stuffed animals or Beanie Babies are also being sought as toys to comfort children living in the war zone.
Mercer County residents should call (724) 456-0052 for information about drop-off.
Helping Scheetz effort's in Ohio is Joann Milani of Trumbull County. Milani said that in Trumbull County, donations can be dropped off at Christ Memorial Baptist Church, 2711 Youngstown Road S.E., Warren. Because the church isn't open 24 hours, Milani said donors should call the church at (330) 369-1512 or Pastor Dave Luther, (330) 609-8564, to find out when donations will be accepted. Milani can also answer questions at (330) 307-5044.
Milani said that Dawnle Scheetz started the project at the request of her husband, Major Larry Scheetz, who is deployed as part of the 942nd Army Quartermaster detachment and is on his second tour in Iraq. The donations will be distributed by soldiers as part of an effort to foster good will among Iraqi children toward Americans.
Larry Scheetz is doing the project as an individual and it is not sponsored by his military unit, she said.