Volunteers from groups including the Exchange Club, American Legion Post 79, APK Charities, and the Madison Jaycees came together at St. Margaret’s Church on May 30 to help pack the boxes of donations to be sent to soldiers overseas.

Since 2010, St. Margaret’s Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Patriotic Committee, through the Operation American Soldier “taste of home” initiative, has shipped items to active-duty men and women deployed in war zones. The drive continued this year over Memorial Day and Committee Chair Mike Piccione said the group works to send items that carry the comfort of home to those stationed sometimes ten thousand of miles away.

Piccione said this year has been the biggest year yet: The Knights will send 150 boxes overseas to four different military outposts. He thanked everyone for donating and participating this year, especially students in Madison who, through their schools, managed to fill multiple boxes for donation.