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Our Major Project:

On February 15, 2005, by acclimation of the members present, the Washington Artillery Veterans' Association adopted Operation Kids for Kids as our major project. This program was started by the men of the active battalion to fight the poverty feeding the insurgency in Iraq. In the short time it has been active there has been a marked effect on the lives of the children in Baghdad, Iraq and the soldiers of the Washington Artillery.

Because this project is not incorporated, donations of material are not tax deductible and they cannot accept monetary donations. However, WAVA is incorporated under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code. We can accept monetary donations and all donations are tax deductible. To facilitate the deductions, WAVA has opened a special checking account at Gulf Coast Bank in the name of WAVA - Kids for Kids. Monetary donations can be mailed directly to their West Esplanade Office in that name.

Additionally, WAVA has collected and shipped over 1,250 pounds of school supplies, arts and craft materials, balls, toys and clothing. WAVA has also collected over $6,000 to purchase additional supplies and cover shipping expenses.

The members of WAVA feel this project will have a triple effect; improving the lives of the children of Iraq, show the citizens of Iraq that our soldiers are there as friends of the people of Iraq and improve the security situation of the soldiers of the active battalion. Each of these is a noble goal. However, all three can be met with one project.

What and How to Give:

Many people want to give but don't know what to give besides a monetary donation. The men running Operation Kids for Kids have asked for some specific items. These include paper, notebooks, safety scissors, markers, rulers, school bags, tablets, pens, pencils, coloring books, crayons, summer and winter clothing for boys and girls, baby blankets and clothing, soccer balls, frisbees, diapers, facial tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, drawings for the children, healthy snacks, chalk and erasers and art supplies. Donors can send other items but are asked to not send items with political logos or statements, religious items, homemade foods, sharp objects, alcohol, english books, pork products, easy to swallow toys, dangerous toys and remote control toys.

To ease the distribution of items to the children of Iraq, two special projects were created. The first is the School Bag Project. This is easy to give to school aged children and gives them everything they needs for going to school. This project is a school bag loaded with:

  • 3 notebooks or loose leaf
  • 1 pack of pens
  • 1 pack of pencils
  • 1 pair of safety scissors
  • 1 coloring book
  • 1 crayon set
  • 1 glue (paste or sticks)
  • 3 folders
  • 1 travel size facial tissue
  • 1 paint set with colors and brush
The other project is the Good Hygiene Project. It is meant to be given to all children to promote better hygiene. This project is a large zip lock bag with:
  • 1 toothbrush
  • 1 pack of dental floss
  • 1 tube of toothpaste
  • 1 travel size facial tissue
  • 1 bar of allergy free soap
  • 1 face cloth

Be sure to include the donation sheet with every donation.

All non-tax deductible donations should be mailed to:

Operation Kids for Kids
c/o SSG Shaun M. Warren
HHB 1/141st FA BN, 256 BCT
APO AE 09326

Anyone wishing to give a monetary donation or a tax deductible. donation should send it to:

WAVA - Kids for Kids
Post Office Box 7584
Metairie, Louisiana 70010

All checks should be made out to "Washington Artillery Veterans' Association."