ICF, SOCCER SALAM PARTNERS SEND EMERGENCY AIRLIFT OF WINTER SUPPLIES, 1,000 SOCCER BALLS FOR IRAQI CHILDREN & FAMILIES FLEEING ISIS
December 19 – An airlift of five tons of emergency winter aid and 1,000 soccer balls left the US today, headed to Iraq for delivery to extremelyvulnerable children and families displaced by ISIS violence in Iraq.
The Soccer Salam initiative, launched December 9 with a Thunderclap social media reach of 330,000, is making its first delivery of emergency aid to Iraq. The cargo includes 1,000 sleeping bags purchased in bulk with donations and 1,000 blankets generously donated by Northwest Woolen Mills. The 1,000 soccer balls are a special gift to Iraqi children who deserve a chance to play, even in the harshest of circumstances.
“We couldn’t have done this without the extraordinary cooperation of Another Joy Foundation and Boeing,” said Jonathan Webb, ICF Chairman. “We are grateful they recognized the urgency of the crisis and facilitated this airlift.”
An estimated 2 million Iraqis have been displaced this year, including hundreds of thousands of children. The 
humanitarian aid aboard today’s flight was made possible by donations from ordinary Americans, a $10,000 gift from MBC Heritage of Islam Trust, and major gifts from the Khudairi Group, Lake Oswego Rotary, and DynCorp International. ICF also thanks American Rec, Northwest Woolen Mills, Franklin Sports, and YRC Freight for help with logistics and supplies.
The Iraqi Children Foundation proudly salutes its Soccer Salam partners: , Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) Karadah Project, Goals and Dreams. All four nonprofits are led by American veterans working alongside Iraqi expatriates, young people, and other concerned citizens who have a heart for the children and families of Iraq.