A Boy Scout from New Jersey was honored on Friday for his efforts to help veterans in the state.

Fifteen-year-old Alex Saldana, of Troop 36, completed his Eagle Scout project by donating more than 6,000 items he collected. The teen’s quest to help veterans started earlier this year when he would play “Taps” outside of the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home every night.

“So many veterans had died and when the news broke out, I thought I want to do something to help them out, being that my dad is a veteran…so I started playing ‘Taps’ on April 8 and I played every night until Memorial Day,” he says.

Saldana’s efforts led to collecting necessities for veterans, such as body wash, deodorant, clothing and monetary donations.

He was able to collect so many items that he also made donations to veterans homes in Edison and Vineland.