NATCHEZ &045; Toys from Miss-Lou residents could be an answer to saving a soldier’s life in Iraq.

When a friend of Julia Ivey sent McDonald’s toys to her son for Iraqi children he’s befriended during his military term in Iraq, she probably didn’t think it would produce tips for insurgent whereabouts.

Next time the woman received a message from her son, he said her small gesture made a big contribution to the troops. He said the children were helping them to locate insurgents and felt it was because of the toys they gave them.

That story prompted Ivey’s interest in starting a campaign to send school supplies and toys to children in Iraq. But it wasn’t until April, after reading about the 155th Brigade Combat Team’s adopt-a-school program, which sends similar supplies to 20 Iraq schools, that she launched Operation Iraqi Children.

&uot;We have so much in the United States that sometimes we don’t realize how grateful we should be,&uot; Ivey said.

Ivey said Operation Iraqi Children was a success because of the great response from Miss-Lou businesses and Miss-Lou residents who just wanted to help the cause.

Ivey, Cable One marketing manager in Natchez, received support from networks like MTV and NBC with funds for shipping and donations of supplies. Cable One also offered an incentive &045; free installment &045; to customers who donated a toy or school supply valued at $10 or more.

&uot;I think it’s going to help goodwill,&uot; Ivey said.

Operation Iraqi Children also partnered with the 155th. Family Support Group chairman Sharon Goodrich said the campaign shows a different side of U.S. troops in Iraq than what is commonly portrayed.

&uot;Our men are over (in Iraq) and they’re interacting with the children,&uot; she said. &uot;Everybody always talks about the military carrying guns around (Iraqi streets), but the military also carries cards, chocolate and everything else (for the children).&uot;

Goodrich said the 155th has received pictures of Iraqi children smiling as they received supplies and toys from their adopt-a-school program.

Ivey said just imagining the joy in the children’s eyes when they receive a gift is worth it.

Toy and supply shipments are scheduled for sometime this week.