SALT LAKE CITY -- Globus Relief Founder Kelly Farmer of Bountiful was elated when he heard Monday that U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld would tour his charity's warehouse Tuesday morning. Rumsfeld visited with two Utah charities earlier this week to recognize their humanitarian work for civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It was a real honor for Globus to be involved," said Farmer.



Rumsfeld toured the Globus Relief humanitarian warehouse, then met with volunteers from Operation Give and with Amy Galvez, whose son Marine Lance Corporal Adam Galvez, of Roy, was killed in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq on Sunday. Secretary Rumsfeld had addressed the American Legion Convention earlier Tuesday, but added the visit to Globus Relief at the last minute. "Rumsfeld is a very personable individual," said Farmer. "He is a very good person. You can feel it to be around him, there is no air of his position."

Rumsfeld also spoke with Farmer's family. "It was a wonderful experience for my family," said Farmer. "And a real honor for us to be involved with it."

Since the Secretary's visit, Globus Relief is preparing additional shipments to Iraq.

"We have 75 pallet loads preparing to go to Iraq right now," said Farmer. "The LDS Church will send them out."

Globus Relief is a local humanitarian aid organization that supports other charities with donations of medical and other needed supplies.

"It helped Globus get the word out," said Farmer. "And it helped people to realize we are legitimate as far as medical supplies for the various groups."

Farmer, however, said while he is not fond of the individual attention and publicity, he enjoys working with the charity.

For the past year, Globus Relief has donated warehouse space and logistical support to Operation Give.

Operation Give is a non-profit project that facilitates the distribution of toys, clothes, and other supplies by U.S. military personnel to children in war-torn regions.

With help from Globus Relief and many other supporters, Operation Give has shipped more than 30 40-foot container loads to the Middle East since 2003. Those supplies were distributed to children and families by Iraqi civilians and U.S. troops, working together.

Both Globus Relief and Operation Give received "Best of State" awards as two of Utah's outstanding charities in 2006.

Globus Relief gathers donations of corporate surplus medical and other supplies--valuable goods that might otherwise be thrown away--and reprocesses them for distribution to a network of over 250 charity partners worldwide. Since 1996, Globus Relief has distributed over $140 million worth of supplies.

In 2003 and 2004, Globus Relief supported Angels for Afghanistan, a humanitarian project sponsored by Utah military wives. In 2005, Globus Relief played a major role in supporting charities in the southeastern United States after Hurricane Katrina, shipping a total of 13 containers of aid. Globus Relief is currently assisting Operation Give with warehouse space, supplies, staff support, and shipping logistics.

"Sometimes the world gets a bad image of Americans, but I think the majority of Americans care deeply about kindness, charity, and helping people in need," said John Pingree, president of Globus Relief. "We are glad to be a part of improving lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and hopefully building a better image for our country."

sclarke@davisclipper.com