For the past five months, Ryan Garrett, 21, has been in Iraq. He’s a member of the 3rd Stryker Brigade in the 5-20 Infantry of the United States Army.

The Saturday prior to Easter Sunday, Garrett returned home for two weeks of rest but on Easter Sunday, Garrett wasn’t resting any longer. Instead he volunteered his time serving homeless individuals Easter dinner with his wife Donna.

“It feels good (to help), said Ryan. “Everyone needs help sometime.”

And Ryan isn’t a stranger to homelessness. When he was five years old, he and his mother were homeless and stayed at a local shelter in Chicago.

Ryan is also helping the Iraqi children. He returns to Iraq and remains there for the next seven months. But while he’s away, the Iraqi kids are close to his heart. He has collected 40 donated soccer balls to take back with him.

“The best part is seeing the Iraqi kids smile,” said Ryan. “I always loved working with kids.”