A great way to help soldiers and children

The Disability Management Employer Coalition's monthly bulletin suggests a way to support U.S. troops and help children in Afghanistan via an Army outreach program.

Fellow DMEC member and MetLife employee, LTC Dan Arkins of the Army National Guard, is deployed in Afghanistan and his brigade is supporting a group called Operation Outreach Afghanistan, according to DMEC's January bulletin.

Operation Outreach's website says the organization is made up of military and civilian contractors who volunteer their time and resources to help Afghanistan's children. They do so by providing supplies to hospitals, villages, orphanages, and schools.

They have distributed food, clothing, school materials, basic medical items, and they have coordinated medical assistance provided by other organizations.

Their website says they can use financial donations, children's clothing, shoes, toys, school supplies, book bags, blankets, hats, gloves and unopened medical kits.

DMEC says donations can be mailed directly to Operation Outreach Afghanistan, c/o George Harrington, 26 MEB, Camp Phoenix, APO AE 09320

George Harrignton is Dan Arkins' commanding officer and heads up the project, according Marcia Carruthers, DMEC's CEO.

Check out Operation Outreach's website here. It contains more details about the group and includes a nice photo gallery of children, villagers and soldiers interacting.

As a side note, Marcia said she believes Dan will be heading home soon.

Safe travels, Dan!