Kumamoto International hosted two members from the U.S. military, Sheyenne Sullivan and Mike Hufler, who had driven from Camp Zama in Kanagawa to Kumamoto to deliver relief supplies collected by the Camp Zama Girl Scouts in a drive they had organize called Operation Backpack. (Their dedicated Website is available at the link: http://www.zamagirlscouts.org/operation-backpack.html ). Members of a local Girl Scout troop were on hand to meet and accompany them to Minami Aso, the location of their recipient, an elderly care home also active in local service. Mr. Hufler had this to say about his experience:
"Following the devastation resulting from the earthquake that occurred in the Kumamoto region, Sheyenne Sullivan and Mike Hufler decided to enact "Operation Backpack". This small gesture of humanitarian aid involved the Camp Zama community working with the local Zama Girl Scouts. Sullivan, the troop leader, led the collection campaign and the Girl Scouts pulled together with the small Army Community here in collecting 79 backpacks, and several boxes of humanitarian aid comprised mostly of hygiene and safety type items. When the military airlift fell thru, Sullivan and Hufler were approved to rent a van and personally deliver these items to the people of Kumamoto with the assistance of Bill, Renee, Jacky Hearne, as well as local Girl Scouts leaders of Kumamoto. We wanted to ensure these items were delivered prior to the rain season, as the potential for further disasters are compounded during this time. We aimed to achieve two main goals throughout this operation- Show solidarity and goodwill to the people of Kumamoto through this small contribution; Educate junior Girl Scouts on the importance of a community pulling together, and show that one person can make a difference through volunteer efforts."
Their efforts were both truly helpful and deeply appreciated. To the Girl Scouts in Camp Zama and all others who had a hand in this: ありがとうございます。
