Round Lake Area Exchange Club names hometown hero
The Round Lake Area Exchange Club has named U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Michael Collins as its July Hometown Hero.
He was registered for this honor by former Hometown Hero, Staff Sgt. Jacob Schmitt of Antioch.
Collins has served in the Army for 20 years and is a native of Casey, Illinois. He has worked as a motor transport operator and currently is a career recruiter in Round Lake Beach.
Collins has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal seven times, the Army Achievement Medal three times, the Iraq Campaign Medals with 4 campaign stars and others. He and his wife, Charity, and their three sons call Lake County home, where he is also active in the VFW.
With the support of this month's sponsor, Robert Frank of Robert E. Frank Real Estate, Inc., Collins' "Hanging with the Heroes" care package will include a Joe's Crab Shack gift card. Also included is a personalized "Hanging with the Heroes" T-shirt donated by Artrageous of Hainesville and letters from Round Lake Area Unit District 116 students.
The Round Lake Area Exchange Club will present a plaque on his behalf Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30 a.m. at Panera Bread on Rollin's Road in Round Lake Beach.
The Round Lake Area Exchange Club needs your help in getting our local heroes signed up. Any and all military personnel serving overseas or in the USA from any of the Round Lake areas, Hainesville, Fox Lake, Ingleside or surrounding areas qualify for the program. Register your loved ones by going to www.rlaexchange.org/hero.
For more information, visit the website or contact Sherry Ridge at (847) 740-2379.