St. Nicholas took on the guise of American “sky soldiers” ahead of his usual feast day, as members of the Army’s famed 173rd Airborne Brigade became toy distributors for their Italian hosts. For the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion troops, the annual toy donation that took place Tuesday as part of the Community Alliance Program brought a range of benefits and good feelings.

“The people of Camisano Vicentino, as well as the greater Vicenza area, have been very gracious to us,” said battalion commander Lt. Col. Travis Toole. “This event serves as a small token of our appreciation.” More than 100 toys were donated. Unit chaplain Capt. Vernon Snyder was credited for doing the legwork and coordination needed to make the event happen, and he estimated a threefold increase in donations over last year’s amount.