Jun 30, 2008 12:56 PM

DHL, with the support of a local Chicago-area business and community members, will deliver thousands of freshly frozen pizzas to United States servicemen and women serving throughout Iraq in time for July 4th Independence Day celebrations.

Retired Master Sgt. Mark Evans, a resident of Elk Grove Village IL, organized the effort with the support of local veterans and community members. He collected enough donations to purchase 2000 pizzas, provided below cost by Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria of Northbrook IL.

DHL flies directly to many of the U.S. bases in Iraq, and has agreed to donate its shipping services for delivery of the pizzas.

Thousands of pizzas packaged in temperature-controlled containers were picked up June 27 at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria and loaded onto a DHL vehicle. The shipment will fly from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York directly to the Middle East, with delivery to military bases just in time for July Fourth celebrations.

DHL was the first international air express carrier to provide service to Iraq and Afghanistan after the lifting of sanctions.