The Journal

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Dan Schuster Sgt. Dan Schuster poses with an Iraqi child who received a Webster University jersey. Dan and his father Joe Schuster, chairman and associate professor of journalism department, have been collecting clothing to donate to Iraqi children since March.

Sgt. Dan Schuster was all smiles as he placed a Webster University jersey on the back of an Iraqi child. Dan has been outfitting Iraqi children ever since his father, Joe Schuster, chairman and associate professor of journalism department, has been collecting items to send to him. Dan is stationed overseas with the U.S. Army.

Dan has been in Iraq since February and will be there for at least another six months. His father has been collecting clothing since March to send to Dan, donated mostly by WU staff and faculty.

"The coalition wants to win the Iraqi people over," Dan said.

Whenever there is an operation, doctors give medical attention to those in need. Iraqi families wait in line for assistance, and Dan then hands out the items Joe sent him, Dan said.

"What I am doing isn't ground breaking," Dan said. "A lot of soldiers (collect clothing) like I
am doing."

The Australian and Estonian troops are also receiving packages to donate to children,
Dan said.

Joe said he stresses the need for children's clothing because that is the greatest need. However, Dan said he will accept anything anyone
can donate.

Along with clothing, he has also given Iraqi people donated soccer balls and Iraqi flags. However, clothing is still the main item.

"I've got about 200 to 300 pounds of clothing," Joe said.

He has received so many packages that it takes him days to organize it, Dan said.

"(The other soldiers) joke that I get way too many packages," Dan said.

Carol Schwab, a math professor, is one of the many faculty who has donated goods. Schwab said she found out about what Joe was doing when she received an e-mail from him saying his son was in Iraq and wanted to send donated items. The e-mail said if anyone wanted to donate, Joe would take care of everything else, she said.

Continued...

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