Operation Puppy Love
Toy Stuffed Puppy Dog Drive

Penny's From Heaven Foundation has already shipped 500 + donated stuffed plush puppy dogs and other critters to Iraq, some previously and gently loved! But this is just a start. These toys of comfort, much like our therapy dogs, are making extraordinary differences, as you will see by the story below. Toys will go to hospitalized Iraqi children, sadly victims of war. They will also be distributed by soldiers to the children on the street or in schools. And rest assured, we have made certain that first and foremost our soldiers top priority is safety.	Therapy Dog Gracie standing guard over stuffed animals being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Help us send contributions of a very different kind of pet therapy to many children in a war torn country who desperately need something to snuggle and hold onto. Please read the story and open your hearts to our soldiers. It may just save another life. Our most sincere appreciation to: SSG Steven Gardner Deployed - Habur Gate, Iraq and K-9 Soldier's Angel - Kassie Claughton

Please send toys or monetary contributions to:
Penny's From Heaven Foundation/Operation Puppy Love
c/o Patsy Swendson
1915 Eagle Meadow
San Antonio TX 78248
or go to Contribute

FROM IRAQ...

"Just wanted to write to you and tell you another story about an experience we had over here. As you know, I asked for toys for the Iraqi children over here and several people (Americans that support us) sent them over by the box. On each patrol we take through the city, we take as many toys as will fit in our pockets and hand them out as we can. The kids take the toys and run to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks. We are as friendly as we can be to everyone we see, but especially so with the kids. Most of them don't have any idea what is going on and are completely innocent in all of this.

On one such patrol, our lead security vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. This is not normal and is very unsafe, so the following vehicles began to inquire over the radio. The lead vehicle reported a little girl sitting in the road and said she just would not budge. The command vehicle told the lead to simply go around her and to be kind as they did. The street was wide enough to allow this maneuver and so they waved to her as they drove around.

As the vehicles went around her, I soon saw her sitting there and in her arms she was clutching a little bear that we had handed her a few patrols back. Feeling an immediate connection to the girl, I radioed that we were going to stop. The rest of the convoy paused and I got out the make sure she was OK. The little girl looked scared and concerned, but there was a warmth in her eyes toward me. As I knelt down to talk to her, she moved over and pointed to a mine in the road.

Immediately a cordon was set as the Marine convoy assumed a defensive posture around the site. The mine was destroyed in place.

It was the heart of an American that sent that toy. It was the heart of an American that gave that toy to that little girl. It was the heart of an American that protected that convoy from that mine. Sure, she was a little Iraqi girl and she had no knowledge of purple mountain's majesty or fruited plains. It was a heart of acceptance, of tolerance, of peace and grace, even through the inconveniences of conflict that saved that convoy from hitting that mine. Those attributes are what keep Americans hearts beating. She may have no affiliation at all with the United States, but she knows what it is to be brave and if we can continue to support her and her new government, she will know what it is to be free. Isn't that what Americans are, the free and the brave?

If you sent over a toy or a Marine (US Service member) you took part in this. You are a reason that Iraq has to believe in a better future. Thank you so much for supporting us and for supporting our cause over here."

Semper Fi, Mark GySgt / USMC