The high school’s Patriot Club recently supported Adopt-a-Battalion with donation drives, aiding the organization in its goal of sending care packages to U.S. service members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

The monthlong drive at the high school, augmented by a Saturday collection at Deer Park’s new ShopRite supermarket, helped obtain a generous amount of donations of items that are not available to troops serving in the Middle East, such as toiletries and snacks. The Patriot Club members then brought the donations in to Adopt-a-Battalion’s offices at the Knights of Columbus in Massapequa to help pack the items for mailing. They also donated $120 that was earned through an earlier “Hearts for Heroes” fundraiser and an additional $100 check earned through a Deer Park High School staff baby picture contest that was organized by secretary Kim Valenti.

“The Deer Park community and students once again demonstrated their tremendous generosity and patriotism in support of this cause, and the administrators of Adopt-a-Battalion were very appreciative,” said teacher Laurie Osbern, the club’s adviser.