CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP -- Everything from food to books were picked, packed and wrapped Sunday. It's all part of Operation Touch of Home which is an annual fall drive that gives back to service men and women overseas.
"Our shipment is made up of product and items that are donated by the public and through donations we are able to purchase product that we box up and ship out to troops twice a year," said Maria Bentzoni, Vice President of Operation Touch of Home.
Members of the organization in Monroe County have been hosting the drive for the past 11 years. Care packages are filled with items troops may not be able to get overseas. Volunteer Nancy Collette thinks it's important for troops to know they are being thought of especially before the holidays.
Collette said, "I can't imagine not being able to come home just to your country, to your home, to that tree, to that meal, to that love. So this is our way of loving them."
Operation Touch of Home not only gives back to the troops, but it also lets them know that people back home are thinking about them. Volunteers tell us it's nice to know that something as simple as a cup of soup can make someones day.
"There's cards from the alliances and different organizations around the community that lets the soldiers know that we are still thinking of them and we do care that they are there," added Bentzoni.
Joseph Cluck is a veteran and volunteer. He thinks now more than ever we need to keep our troops in mind especially with all the terror attacks overseas.
"It sort of gives them a little time to forget what's happening and it's a little peace for themselves. So that's good," explained Cluck.
135,000 pounds of food and other products have been shipped overseas to just about 1,300 soldiers since Operation Touch of Home started.
The packages are expected to be shipped out in the next few weeks.