Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

SPREAD EAGLE, WI -- What started off as a small basement project has turned into something greater.

Bobbie Samme started sending care packages to her son, Lieutenant Corporal Eric Palmisano, while he served in Iraq.  He was killed in action on April 2, 2006.  After his death, Samme decided to remember her son by sending as many care packages as possible to troops overseas.

"We took a tragedy and we turned it into a triumph,” said Samme.  “Eric's loss is the saddest thing that could ever happen to any parent, to lose a child.  But something good has to come from it. Something good has to happen because of what Eric did what he gave.  So we want to give back now."

Samme and her husband, Herb, started the Lieutenant Corporal Eric Palmisano Care Package Project, filling boxes with everything from Ramen noodles and deodorant to Bibles.  They receive thank you letters from troops almost daily.

"They're so appreciative, especially when people get them who don't know you,” said care package project volunteer, Jennifer Loomis.  “Everyone over here still cares so much.  For a little community like Florence, to do what we're doing is phenomenal."

With the community donating their goods, time, and money, 944 care packages have been sent since May 2006.  Samme hopes to get that total up to 1,000 by the end of the year.

“People want to help,” she said.  “They want to support our troops, but they don't know how.  Well Herb and I are the how.  We are the vessel that people can use to get these packages to the troops."

To help reach their goal of 1,000 care package by the end of the year, a spaghetti dinner with be held at the Spread Eagle Club on December 12.

Samme said this is far from the end of the project.  She plans on sending care packages until all the troops return home safe.