Champ's Heart unveils room, display cases dedicated to veterans - East Idaho News
Local

Champ’s Heart unveils room, display cases dedicated to veterans

  Published at
Champ’s Heart unveils room, display cases dedicated to veterans
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 
Roy Reed, left, and Tom Zahn. Reed is a veteran, and Zahn is the property manager at Champ’s Heart. | Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready ...

AMMON — A nonprofit recently unveiled a space filled with display cases thanking veterans for their service. 

Tom Zahn is the property manager at Champ’s Heart and wanted to honor veterans. The nonprofit offers special-needs children, veterans, first responders, domestic violence and assault survivors the opportunity to connect with horses.

RELATED | Man who volunteers with Champ’s Heart and helps so many is honored for Feel Good Friday

Zahn said a Veterans Program happens each Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Champ’s Heart, at 988 South 45th East in Ammon. Recently, he held an open house for veterans to check out a room that he put together. 

“Some of our veterans unfortunately have PTSD or are autistic. They can get overstimulated very easily, so we wanted this room set aside as a safe and quiet place that they can go into if they needed it,” Zahn said. 

The space, which he calls the Veterans Memorial Room, has a sign inside that says, “Thank you veterans for your service and sacrifice.” It also has display cases that show depth, known as shadow boxes. 

stars on wall
Roy Reed points to his star at Champ’s Heart. | Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com

“Each shadow box contains six stars. Each star has a veteran’s name, the branch of the service they were in and where they served. (I’m) just trying to repay for what they did for us,” he said. 

John Benner is a veteran who has a star with his name on it at Champ’s Heart. He also participates in the nonprofit’s Veterans Program. 

“It’s pretty cool to be represented up there,” Benner said. “It’s amazing what Tom has done. He’s put a lot of time and effort into it.”

He added that he appreciates what Champ’s Heart does for people like him. He told EastIdahoNews.com that he got an injury while serving, and riding horses has given him some normalcy.

“The camaraderie we get from seeing each other … it’s good to be able to connect with other vets in the area who are having similar problems or can at least understand some of what you’ve been through,” Benner said. 

Benner hopes more vets like him can come to Champ’s Heart.

“This is a great program. It’s a shame that more people don’t come out. There’s plenty of space for other veterans. I know if they were to come out, they would feel the same way I do,” he said. 

Zahn is grateful to the veterans that he gets to work with and invites them to come out on Fridays. 

“We just can’t thank the veterans enough for what they’ve done. Their service and their sacrifice … just a big thank you to them,” Zahn said. 

Champ's Heart volunteers with veteran
Some volunteers at Champ’s Heart help assist a veteran onto a horse. | Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com

SUBMIT A CORRECTION

EastIdahoNews.com comment boards are a place for open, honest, and civil communication between readers regarding the news of the day and issues facing our communities. We encourage commenters to stay on topic, use positive and constructive language, and be empathetic to the feelings of other commenters. THINK BEFORE YOU POST. Click here for more details on our commenting rules.