Iowa Speedway launches ‘Operation Christmas’ 
for soliders in Afghanistan

Employees of the Iowa Speedway are helping one of their own make Christmas special for an Iowa serviceman and his comrades serving in Afghanistan.

“Operation Christmas” is a joint venture of the Iowa Speedway and a number of Newton businesses on behalf of Kristin Eggers and her brother, Sgt. Major Patrick Quirk, now serving his second tour of duty in the war zone.

The project is aimed at sending non-perishable items to Afghanistan in early December. Collection boxes are being set up at the Iowa Speedway, Prairie Gas, Sign Pro and the Newton Daily News. KCOB Radio also is helping promote the event.

The Iowa Speedway will try to “Pack the Pace Car” during the Newton Lighted Parade on the downtown Newton square on Nov. 27. The public is invited to bring care package items during the parade.

The Christmas Care Packages then will be sent to Sgt. Major Quirk and members of the 97th Military Police Battalion.

Quirk, a Marshalltown native, is the husband of Melinda and the father of 8-year-old twins Ashton Michael and Alexis Ann. He is the son of the late Donald Quirk and Kay and Karl Rinehart. His sisters are Kristin (Steve) and Tami (Kraig) Holubar.

“It’s awesome having people you work with getting behind everything — because you are proud of what our service men and women do overseas — and Christmas is a tough time for anybody to be away from home. I know our deceased father would have been very proud of Patrick,” Eggers said.

A few ideas for donations include toothbrushes and toothpaste, pens, hand-held games, shampoo and conditioner, small travel games, puzzle books, deodorant, Christmas decorations, soap, Christmas candy, hand warmers, Christmas CDs, stationary and Christmas DVDs. Any non-perishable items are welcome and encouraged.

Items will be collected through Dec. 3, and the care package items will be sent on Dec. 4.