By Susan Gager

EUGENE, Ore. -- Local soldiers stationed in Iraq complained about the county's bitter cold last Winter, so a Eugene woman found a creative way to help them out.

A lot of people are trying to find ways to help the troops in Iraq and one woman found out it's the little things that count.

Lena Jager wanted to find a way to help the troops in Iraq.  While some kind souls send care packages, she wasn't sure how she could help.

"Soap, toothpaste, but this is something I can do.  I love to knit and with the heat, what better thing to stay inside and knit another hat," said Jager.

Lena came across a news story about an Idaho woman sending wool helmet liners to the troops in Iraq.  It started with just one soldier.

"His complaint was that the helmets were cold and miserable to wear when it's really cold in Iraq," said Jager.

The novel solution to that soldier's complaint spread like wildfire.  500 requests became 2,700 and now the task has become too large for a small group of women to handle before the next group of troops is deployed.

"The soldiers do not ask for much, and that there's a lot of people that make care packages, but this is a direct request from the soldiers," said Jager.

Lena needs other knitters in Eugene to help her meet the goal by September first.

"She starts knitting and then all of a sudden here's another hat.  I think it's a great thing she can do for our country," said Ben Jager, Lena's Husband.

"I'm grateful, thankful.  So if this is a little thing I can do in return I'm pretty happy to do it," said Jager.

Soldiers have requested 2,700 knitted caps by September 1.  Lena plans to finish 20 but she needs help.  To help her and to find more details about the project you can e-mail her here: benliena@comcast.net.