Iraqi Kids Day: Nellis Airman helps build community relations through fun and games Published Dec. 13, 2010 By Senior Airman Tong Duong 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Bringing a smile to any child's face does not require much work, especially if it involves toys. Building positive relations with youth from the local community, however, may require a little more effort. A program such as Iraqi Kids Day has been an ongoing event here for more than two years and has touched the hearts of more than 1,000 local youths. "The purpose of the event is to partner with the local community and provide a safe and enjoyable environment to experience and share our unique cultures, and of course to have fun," said event coordinator, Tech. Sgt. Jeff Berry, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, non commissioned officer in charge of readiness and emergency management. "It is also critical to developing lasting partnerships with the communities surrounding Joint Base Balad." More than 200 volunteers, to include 50 planning committee members, worked diligently to make the day a success. Some of the events the Iraqi youth participated in were face painting, table tennis, zip line, fire truck tour, drawing and soccer. Gift bags filled with school supplies, toys and candy were handed out at the end of the event to the 70 children who attended. Sergeant Berry, who is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., noted so many items were donated from the states that a different building was needed to store and assemble the bags for the event. The mother of Senior Airman Tyler Deckard, 332nd ECES journeyman, Kim Deckard-Morris and the Limestone Girls Club in Bedford, Ind., collected 30 soccer balls for the day's event. "We are very excited to help out the children of Iraq. Donating the soccer balls was just another way to give the Iraqi children the smiles they deserve," she responded in an e-mail through her son. "Doing so shows a connection between our home, (Airmen) and the Iraqi children, hopefully instilling in the little ones that our (Airmen) are not bad guys with big guns, but that they are positive role models and want good things for them," she said. The event planning committee faced some challenges, one of which was how to keep the kids engaged throughout the day, especially while waiting for lunch. "I called on the expert, my 8-year old daughter, Helen," Sergeant Berry a native of Everett, Wash., said. "I asked her to help me develop games we can play while lunch is served. She came up with some great ideas such as 'I Spy,' 'Where's Waldo?' and 'Show Me Five,' which will help us keep things lively." While the events lasted only a few hours, for hopefuls like Sergeant Berry and members of the IKD committee, the program will continue to improve the relationship between the JBB and local community for much longer. "The kids see who the servicemember behind the protective vest, helmet and weapons is. They see a caring person and our American spirit," Sergeant Berry said. "I hope that image stays with them a lifetime. It's awesome to think that every volunteer made a positive, lasting impression on the future leaders of Iraq."
