As people in a Bucks County community started opening their wallets, the paper helmets on the wall began to multiply.

One paper helmet pops up on the wall for every potentially life-saving helmet insert bought by everyday citizens.

Operation Helmet began as the parents of one corporal stationed in Iraq learned that their son didn’t have enough head protection to prevent a concussion.

Parents of Cpl. Mike Farley used to send mundane, everyday items in care packages, until they realized he didn’t even have a helmet strong enough to protect him from a concussion.

Marie and Mike Farley Sr. were appalled when they learned that the helmets issued to many Marines don’t have a special padded liner to protect against concussions that could be caused by explosions.

Since mortars hit their son’s base every day, the Quakertown couple decided to take action.

"These guys are going into war and they should have everything they need for protection,” Marie Farley, Mike’s mother, said. “When I found that out ... it was devastating.”

Mike’s father was equally concerned for his son.

"There was the possibility that Michael could've been injured and since he did not have the insert it could've made the injury worse,” Mike’s father, Mike Farley Sr., said.

The Farleys turned to good friend, Rod van Pelt at the Quakertown Moose Lodge Family Center, to help raise money for the helmet liners.

"What we started doing is selling the paper helmets to all our members in here for $5 a piece,” van Pelt said. “But we can't just get him one helmet. We have to get the whole unit a helmet. There are 53 people in the unit -- it's close to $40,001."

It seemed like a lofty goal, but members of the community opened up their wallets as they learned of the lack of appropriate protective gear for the troops.

"To not have something that basic is just ridiculous, utterly ridiculous,” Evelyn Kull of Quakertown said.

The giving seems to be contagious, too.

"I'm just tickled to death that we here at the Moose are having an impact on something internationally,” Mark Ludlow of Quakertown said. “It's just so nice to see.”

Operation Helmet raised over $10,000 so far, but they plan to raise money until Farley’s entire unit has the proper helmet padding.

"When they get these inserts, there's a good possibility … it could possibly save their lives," Mike Farley Sr. said.

His tearful mother added, “It's made me feel good inside ... that I can do something to help them.”

For more information or to donate, visit Operation Helmet.