wfn.org | UMNS# 05146-Toys from soldiers win hearts of Iraqi children

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Toys from soldiers win hearts of Iraqi children

Mar. 10, 2005	 News media contact:   Fran  Coode Walsh * (615) 7425470*
Nashville {05146}

NOTE: A UMTV report and photographs are available with this story at
http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=6929.

A UMNS Feature
By John Gordon*

Maj. Chris Cerniauskas carries the weapons of war as he patrols the
streets of Iraq, but his pockets also bulge with small, stuffed animals
and toys for Iraqi children.

Thanks to his Sunday school class at First United Methodist Church of
Baton Rouge, La.-and a community that embraced the idea-"Operation
Stuffed Animal" has distributed more than 3,000 toys to youngsters in
war-torn Iraq.

"I'm not saying a stuffed animal will save the world or will end the
violence," Cerniauskas wrote in an e-mail home. "There are some very bad
people over here that do horrible, horrible things. But it does show
goodness, kindness (and) love of children" by Americans through the
small gestures of their soldier ambassadors.

The Sunday school class came up with the idea of collecting toys but
never expected such a big response from the community. Baton Rouge
residents have donated boxes and boxes of toys through six drop-off
sites, including First United Methodist, University United Methodist and
St. Andrews United Methodist churches and a local radio station.

"There's more toys in here than Toys R Us has, I think," said John
Black, who owns a UPS Store in Baton Rouge and agreed to box the
trinkets at no charge. "If we're ever going to win their hearts and
(the) minds of the world, it's got to start with the kids."

Cerniauskas, who works for the state office of emergency preparedness in
Louisiana, is deployed with the 256th Brigade Combat Team of the
Louisiana National Guard and scheduled to return home at the end of
2005.

His team makes routine patrols assisting Iraqi cities with repairing
water lines and roads, procuring generators for power and providing
supplies. During these patrols, soldiers come in contact with Iraqi
families and children, providing the perfect opportunity to hand out
toys, laugh and joke.

"Chris is one of many of our soldiers who are big, tough guys, but have
a big, big heart as well," said his wife, Barbara.

The toys have been a hit.

"Chris has told me that when the children see our soldiers coming,
they'll start yelling, 'Mister, Mister,' and have their arms outreached
to see if they will have anything for the kids," said Barbara
Cerniauskas. "It sort of establishes a level of trust between the
children and our soldiers, just to let them know that we are there to
help them and we want to help them to have a better life."

While members of their Sunday school class have been divided over the
politics of invading Iraq, they have found common ground in the
motivation behind Operation Stuffed Animal.

"The children are really the innocent," said Carla Ledya, a social
worker. "And it was really an easy choice to do something for them. It
really doesn't matter how you feel about the war."

Soldiers report unexpected benefits of distributing toys. Several
children have warned U.S. troops of dangers, such as land mines or
buried bombs. Interaction with children also has been a source of joy
for the soldiers themselves.

"... We ask our soldiers to do some very difficult things while they're
over here," Cerniauskas wrote home. "Handing out stuffed toys that bring
happiness and smiles to beautiful children is not one of them. It makes
them feel good, and they love doing it."

# # #

*Gordon is a freelance producer and writer in Marshall, Texas.

News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org