Lake County Veterans Group holds Earth Day cleanup event

About 35 veterans, family and friends attended the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation Earth Day cleanup event Saturday, April 23, at the Rollins Savanna in Grayslake.

Lake County Board Commissioner Sandy Hart and her daughter, Katie, were part of the work crew that helped clear brush in the Lake County Forest Preserve area.

Tom Smith, stewardship coordinator for the Forest Preserve, briefed the group before heading out to drag and drop tree and brush cuttings into several piles for a large burn effort.

"This is one of the best volunteer groups that we have ever had," Smith said after volunteers completed two hours of work.

After the cleanup effort was completed, participants enjoyed a free barbecue lunch back at LCVFSF Dryhootch Drop-in Center in Grayslake prepared by "chef" (and staff member) Charlie Schletz. Peer support specialist Ashley Jones spearheaded the event planning process.

"Not only were we able to clean up part of our community, our Earth Day event also brought together veterans, family and friends," LCVFSF founder and President Paul Baffico said.

"We are thrilled at the turnout and the fact that everyone had a great time working and being together."

The LCVFSF Dryhootch Drop-in Center opened in 2015 to provide a welcoming atmosphere for active service members, veterans and their families to come and enjoy a cup of coffee, meet others who have shared their military experience, or learn more about the many services available to them through LCVFSF from a veteran peer specialist.

The new facility was made possible through a joint partnership of LCVFSF and Dryhootch of America.

For more information on LCVSF, call (847) 986-4622 or visit www.lakevetsfound.org.

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