LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq

Soldiers Deliver Supplies, Smiles to Local Children

> MNFI

LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq -- More than 120 students in the nearby village of Albu Hassan were treated to gifts delivered by Soldiers from the 1st Corps Support Command, 301st Signal Company and 353rd Civil Affairs Command on Dec. 28.

Soldiers distributed school supplies, T-shirts, footballs, beach balls and Frisbees to the students at the al-Salam school, who reacted to the supplies with grins and shouts of joy.

The school, which was opened in June, was built as part of Operation Anaconda Neighborhood, a collaborative effort of the units stationed here to improve the quality of life in the surrounding areas. Since its inception in January, OAN has spent more than $4.2 million to improve schools, medical clinics, roads and water filtration projects in the villages near here.

Release #0412029i SOURCE: MNFI