Local soldier helping children in Iraq

Many of the stories regarding the war in Iraq are violent and negative But this one is quite the opposite One North Dakota National Guard soldier is helping children in the war-torn country by giving them simple items many American children take for granted Reporter Tracy Fugere has more Reporter Tracy Fugere Steve Jahner is the commander of the 164th Battalion based in Minot The unit has been north of Baghdad since August and plans to be home in May But before they leave there s another mission they want to finish Mindy Jahner And they re going to build a Soccerfield before they re-deploy home equipped with grass and bleachers and a changing room Reporter Tracy Fugere Soccer known as Football in Iraq is the most popular sport But many of the children in the neighborhood don t have soccerballs or much of anything So Mindy and Steve discussed it and Steve told his wife that soccerballs may be a great gift for the kids there And then another great thing happened the Elks Club in Bismarck caught wind of what the Jahners wanted to do and it donated 72 soccerballs for the kids Steve is overjoyed Mindy Jahner His comment is That s North Dakota The kids just need some way to get rid of energy and something to build self-esteem They have nothing In their neighborhoods they have nothing And being soccer is such a big sport he thought that s something they would really get a kick out of Reporter Tracy Fugere MIndy says the kids are very appreciative of anything they receive whether it be a sucker or attention from the soldiers Mindy Jahner Not every child is going to receive a ball but if they can have a playing field where 50 balls are housed and the children are able to go play at that soccer field Reporter Tracy Fugere Mindy was at the Perogue Grill in Bismarck one night and the owner overheard that she was donating items to children in Iraq So then that owner donated a box of writing pens for the kids Mindy Jahner I think especially at the Christmas season We see our children getting so much and he s sees those children with nothing And yeah we re lucky We re lucky to be Americans We re lucky to live where we do Reporter Tracy Fugere Mindy says they will accept any donations for the kids in Iraq from candy necklaces to anything that will put a smile on a child s face In Bismarck Tracy Fugere KX News Anyone interested in donating items for the children in Iraq that Commander Steve Jahner is helpingcontact Mindy Jahner at 255-2339 or email her at mindyjahner yahoo com