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As the 7th anniversary of 9-11 approaches, Lt. Gov. Quinn honors 22 individuals and organizations with Homefront Hero Awards



CHICAGO - On Sunday, with September 11th around the corner, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presented Homefront Hero Awards to 22 Chicagoland-area individuals and organizations, saluting their patriotism and efforts to lift the morale of Illinois servicemembers deployed overseas.

The Homefront Hero Awards are presented to people and organizations who are making a special effort to help our servicemembers, military families and veterans.

"Just days before the 7th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I am proud to honor these Homefront Heroes for their hard work and patriotism," Quinn said.  "I thank them for their efforts in supporting our men and women in uniform.  These individuals, and the organizations they represent, are shining examples of how everyday people can make an extraordinary difference."

"It is important to remember our servicemembers and their families, especially as increasing numbers of our Illinois Armed Forces are being called to action," Quinn said.  "Military families sacrifice so much for our country, and it is our responsibility to show our gratitude in every way we can.  I hope we all will find ways to follow these Homefront Heroes' example in the coming year."

The 2008 Homefront Hero Award recipients included:

  • The Woodridge Jaycees, of Woodridge, hold two fundraisers each year in support of servicemembers and their families, most recently hosting Bowling for Soldiers. The single event raised more than $890 for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund and was the third project the organization has held for the Fund. The Woodridge Jaycees strive to build leadership through community service.
  • Honor Flight Chicago, based in Chicago, flies Chicagoland-area veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. free of charge. Founded by the daughter of a World War II veteran and President and CEO of Intron Corporation, Mary Pettinato, the organization began in March 2008 and has already made three missions to the memorial, carrying more than 60 veterans on each flight. The next departure will be on Wednesday, September 17.
  • Carol and Steven Alberts, Roland Paul, Ed Delmas and Neal Wolf, of Palatine, have held a benefit for three consecutive years at Duffy's Sports Pub and Restaurant in Palatine on the Saturday prior to Veteran's Day, and, in 2007, they raised more than $11,000. All proceeds of the event go towards toiletries and daily necessities for hospitalized veterans in the North Chicago VA Medical Center.
  • Operation Care Package, of Joliet, led by Debbie Smothers, has supported soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen through care packages and letters of encouragement for more than four years. Debbie's brother, David Bishop, has served as an Army Green Beret for 19 years and has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Fred Larson, of Chicago, is a veteran who has always enjoyed helping people. He volunteers for Recording for the Blind and used old, donated cards to create more than 90 new valentines for the Lt. Governor's Valentines for Vets program.
  • Diveheart Military Wounded, of Downers Grove, was founded by Susan Walker and Jim Elliot and teaches veterans with disabilities to learn how to scuba dive. In coordination with Hines Hospital, the organization uses community pools to help recreate some of the freedoms the veterans had prior to their disabilities.
  • Oak Terrace School, of Highwood, under the leadership of kindergarten teacher, Kelly Darkenwald, organized a week long celebration to honor children and families of Illinois servicemembers. Each student of a servicemember was designated a special helper in the classroom and given a "Heroes Together" pin to wear. The students also participate in send-offs for units deploying from Fort Sheridan army base.
  • Mark Evans, of Elk Grove Village, has served for 26 years in the active Air Force and Reserves and made a continued commitment to supporting his fellow servicemembers stationed abroad. In just two weeks, he raised more than $20,000 to send 2,000 pizzas from Lou Malnatis to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. As troops were first deployed in the War on Terror, MSgt Evans sent 200 pairs of safety goggles, candy and hundreds of DVDs to Iraq.
  • Meadow Ridge School, of Orland Park, teamed up with their Student Council advisors, Mary Wells and Mari Kay Reeves, to donate requested items to the Manteno Veterans home, launch a letter-writing campaign in their school for service men and women stationed overseas and collected several hundred baseball caps for the "Hats off to our Veterans" drive.
  • Fry Elementary School, of Naperville, cut, pasted and glittered more than 500 valentines with bags of candy for children in Afghanistan and filled 15 tubs with supplies for troops stationed there, including chapstick, razors, granola bars and Kleenex. Sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Association, the items were hand-delivered by U.S. Navy Commander Matt Anderson, father of two daughters at Fry Elementary.
  • Operation Support Our Troops - IL, based in Naperville, was founded in 2003 by Debi Rickert, mother of a West Point cadet. Run entirely by volunteers, the organization has partnered citizens, communities and small organizations with military personnel to send more than 16,000 packages to servicemembers overseas. They have even visited wounded servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany!
  • Glennita Williams, a fifth-grade student at McKinley Elementary in South Holland, she organized "Operation Twinkie." In just 10 days, 24 students collected 1,000 Twinkies, Ho-Hos, Susy-Q's and cupcakes! The sweets were sent to the 108th Sustainment Brigade (FWD) in Al Kasik, Iraq, where her best friend's father Maj. Michael Striverson was serving.
  • Amy Berger, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School in Naperville, formed "Hearts for Heroes" and collected more than 50,000 Valentine's Day cards for servicemembers! Amy started the project when she was just 13 years old, networking with local businesses to place collection boxes in stores.
  • Dianne Struglinski, a receptionist at South Division Credit Union (SDCU) in Evergreen Park, founded "Operation SDCU Care Package." Dianne collected items at the front desk in her office and was able to send four large boxes of donations, such as frisbees, face wash, dental floss and other items. She is planning to continue "Operation SDCU Care Package" this holiday season.
  • The Village of Hometown posted photos of local servicemembers overseas in the Hometown City Hall so that residents could remain connected with their deployed neighbors and friends. Throughout the week, residents donate items for "Hometown Cares" packages and each Friday, City Hall Clerk Mary Jo Hacker packages and sends the items to the Village's own "Hometown Heroes."
  • The Salon Professional Academy, of Elgin, held "Haircuts for Heroes" in which for every service purchased during the month of July, they donated $1 to The Wounded Heroes Foundation. The amounting $2158 was presented to the Foundation on Monday, August 4 during the "Giving Beauty Back" event.
  • Hearing Health Centers, of Naperville, offered free custom earplugs to local servicemembers preparing to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan during the month of June. Dr. Ronna Fisher decided to start the project after learning that nearly one in ten servicemembers return home with permanent hearing damage. Each custom-molded set of earplugs is valued at $60 and allow for normal hearing, but protect ears against loud noises, like gunfire.
  • Bill Wolff, former Assistant Fire Chief of Bloomingdale, tirelessly works behind-the-scenes to help local veterans. A veteran himself, he makes regular visits to Hines Hospital to deliver cards and visit with residents. Bill also belongs to his local VFW and sends packages and cards to veterans in his local community.

For more information, please visit: www.OperationHomefront.org.