President Bush, Operation Give, and Matt

If you scroll down our list of links, you will find one to Operation Give (the “Give Toys to Iraq” button), which was set up by Matt and a national guardsman from Utah to provide charity to Iraqi children. This morning at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Bush praised the work of Operation Give.

He said:

    Our people in uniform understand the high calling they have answered because they see the nation and the lives they are changing. A guardsman from Utah named Paul Holton has described seeing an Iraqi girl crying and decided then and there to help that child and others like her. By enlisting aid through the Internet, Chief Warrant Officer Holton had arranged the shipment of more than 1,600 aid packages from overseas. Here’s how this man defines his own mission: “It is part of our heritage that the benefits of being free, enjoyed by all Americans, were set up by God, intended for all people. Bondage is not of God, and it is not right that any man should be in bondage at any time, in any way.” Everyone one in this room can say amen to that.

For the full text of President Bush’s remarks, go here. Well done Chief Wiggles, Matt, and those who have supported Operation Give.

4 comments for “President Bush, Operation Give, and Matt

  1. As I have followed this story of giving, I recall reading of how threw out the years in differnt wars how the American Military was known for giving food, candy and other things to kids the world over. My father told of giving a pad of paper and some pencils to two boys in India for school(“you would have thought I had given them a million buck.” He said) I passed food and candy threw a fence to refugees in Veit Nam, and I talked to a man in Germany who said that he and his family would not have made it except for the the food given to them after the war by Americans. This tradition of giving is truly a great traditions that we all can beproud of.

  2. I don’t know how Matt feels about this yet, but I think some pro bono work on Operation Give’s behalf might be in order here; i.e. hit up those with connections to businesses and try and get some more substantial contributions, in kind or monetary, to this program. It’s good for the country, its good for Iraq, and Its good for the Church.

  3. Lyle,

    My understanding is that Operation Give has encouraged members and supporters to talk to organizations they are connected with. By all means, you should talk with your bishop / state president / employer / friends / school about them.

    On the other hand, I think anyone who wants to help them should be careful to go through proper channels and be properly circumspect. And willing to accept refusal to assist. This is, after all, a voluntary project.

    I can’t speak for Matt, but I would assume that any kind of publicity involving harrassment or coercion would not be welcomed. I would also venture to guess that many kinds of unsolicited publicity (such as sending out spam e-mail) would probably be unwelcome.

    Other publicitity (putting up flyers around your law school?) may be within the bounds of reason. Before doing any projects that might be viewed as improper, I would check with the appropriate forum (i.e., the law school if you’re putting up flyers) as well as with Matt.

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