Valley Students Continue to Raise Money to Send Teen's Body Home to Iraq for Burial

A grassroots effort started by students at to raise money to help the family of Husam Abdul-Hameed send his remains home to Iraq for burial has received overwhelming support from the community and the state, said a district news release.

In coordination with the students’ efforts, Valley High School has been accepting donations to help the family and will continue to accept donations until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14. People wanting to help can drop off donations to the office at Valley during regular office hours next week (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) through Wednesday.

Hameed and his family came to Iowa as refugees about a year ago. Hameed, 18, a Valley High School senior, was killed March 3 when he was struck by a car while standing along Interstate 80 near the west mixmaster, reports KCCI.com.

According to the family, the cost of sending Husam home to Iraq is about $15,000. As of Monday, the students have raised more than $5,000 and have gotten word from other student council groups and community groups from around the state wanting to make donations, the release said.

“The outpouring of support has been tremendous,” said Valley Principal Jim Mollison in the district release. “It is wonderful to see our students come together to help one of their own. And then to see the generosity of not only our community, but other schools who want to help, is amazing. I never imagined I would see such a positive outcome from something so tragic.”

All donations are being put into a fund at Valley High School and district representatives will give Husam’s mother the donations on Thursday, the release said.