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Fallen Marine's family organizing drive for troops

The family of an Arlington Heights Marine killed in Afghanistan is organizing a third annual collection drive in his memory to help troops serving overseas.

Lance Cpl. James Stack, 20, was killed in action in Afghanistan in November 2010, and each year since then his mother-in-law, Dawn Hedrick, and family members have collected supplies, food and activities to send to troops.

Hedrick said she hopes the drive, which last year collected 335 boxes of supplies, will help keep the troops at the forefront of people's minds.

"We don't want to make this another forgotten war," Hedrick said Monday night when discussing the drive with the Arlington Heights village board. "I want to continue to support all the troops until they come home. James made the ultimate sacrifice."

The drive begins April 21 and will run until May 2, with donation boxes at more than 20 locations across the suburbs. Possible items to donate include pocket-size food and snacks, powdered drinks, travel-size toiletries, pens, stationary, batteries, magazines, playing cards and letters of gratitude.

Drop-off locations include the American Legion, 121 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights; AM Vets Post 66, 700 McHenry Road, Wheeling; Beverly Lanes, 8 S. Beverly Lane, Arlington Heights; Bill Stasek Chevrolet, 700 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling; Cosmetology & Spa Academy, 142 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg; Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights; state Rep. David Harris' office, 800 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect; St. Edna Church, 225 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights; and Mariano's Fresh Market, 802 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights.

All Village Bank & Trust locations also will be participating, with donation boxes at 234 W. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights; 311 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights; 150 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights; 320 E. Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect; 950 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge; 1845 E. Rand Road, Prospect Heights; and 606 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.

California Pizza Kitchen will accept donations at 3 S. Evergreen, Arlington Heights; 20502 N. Rand Road, Deer Park; 1550 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg; 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie; 551 Oak Brook Center, Oak Brook; 28258 Diehl Road, Warrenville; and 1202 Commons Road, Geneva.

Packing will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 at American Legion Merle Guild Post 208, 121 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights.

Any businesses that wants to get involved, teachers who want to have their classes make cards for the troops, or family members who want boxes sent to a particular service member overseas can contact Dawn Hedrick at helpusatroops@gmail.com or helpusatroops@yahoo.com.

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