SPARTA, Wis.— A big donation for Afghan refugees made its way from Milwaukee to Sparta over the weekend.

The Islamic Center of Milwaukee filled a semi truck with over 20 pallets of boxes of clothing, shoes, coats, boots and much more to donate to the Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy.

“These are people who are coming to America. They are new they helped us in Afghanistan. We want to  just give back to them and make them feel comfortable here,” Islamic Society of Milwaukee director, Othman Atta said.

The donations are being brought to the National Guard armory in Sparta. Once the donations are dropped off they are organized and sorted and then brought to Fort McCoy.

The donations have been coming in from organizations and people from all across the state. Which is why Team Rubicon, a disaster relief team, is hard at work sorting out donations to be given to Afghan refugees.

David Melancon is one of the many volunteers on Team Rubicon. He is an Army veteran who served for over two decades and now is spending his first year of retirement volunteering. 

“I’m paying a personal debt of honor to the Afghan people for their help to us, not just with the corps of engineers but to all of my brothers and sister who served in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Melancon said.

Melancon helped sort through donations of clothing, shoes, blankets and many other items to give to the Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy. He said these items will mean a lot to them.

“There is nothing like a warm quilt to help pass a cold winter’s day in Wisconsin,” Melancon said.

All of the donations came from many organizations, and Wisconsinites, wanting to help. It’s something Melancon said is truly powerful.

“We are not all the same but the bottom line is we are all good people and this just proves my argument,” Melancon said.

Melancon is just one of many volunteers on Team Rubicon. Their goal is simple: Help those in need.

“We have gone through countless truckloads of things. We believe everyone has gotten the things they need for present time. What we are trying to do is get ahead for winter,” Team Rubicon member, Jeff Wagg said.

Wagg said they are loking for donations of any new coats, shoes and clothing in smaller sizes. It’s a mission the team is passionate about and hope to help better the lives of those in need.

The Salvation Army in LaCrosse is taking in donations at 228 N 8th St. Monetary donations are also welcomed since refugee needs fluctuate.