Airmen build ties with Iraqi families

Master Sgt. Shantell Frierson hands an Iraqi child a bag of treats July 24 in Baghdad. Forty-five Airmen and Soldiers volunteered to visit and distribute donated items to local Iraqi families as part of the Sather Air Base Good Neighbor Program. Sergeant Frierson is a Multinational Corps Iraq Joint Crew Composite Squadron automated data processing technician. Sergeant Frierson is deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and is a native of Coward, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Airmen build ties with Iraqi families

Published July 30, 2009
By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

BAGHDAD (AFNS) -- Forty-five Airmen volunteered to visit and distribute donated items to local families here July 24 as part of the Sather Air Base Good Neighbor Program.

This program, which is sponsored by the Sather AB Rising Six, is made up of volunteers who take a trip once a month to distribute care packages to Iraqi families near Sather AB.

The packages include items the Iraqi families may have a hard time getting otherwise, such as personal hygiene items, dry food, toys for children and snacks.

Chief Stauber, who is also the 148th Fighter Wing command chief for the Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth, Minn., said she volunteers because it's a good chance to give back.

"We should reach out to the citizens around us and build those relationships," she said. "It's important to take the time to appreciate this community. I would encourage anyone to come and enjoy the time spent. It's definitely worthwhile."

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