Wheeling Township Supports Military Personnel Through Two Giving Programs
Wheeling Township is providing residents with two different opportunities to show their appreciation to U.S. military personnel this holiday season. 'Seats for Sailors' and 'Operation Support Our Troops-America' are both aimed at providing support for those who are making ongoing sacrifices for the freedoms enjoyed by our citizens throughout our country.
Seats for Sailors
For over two decades, the American Legion Post 208 in Arlington Heights has hosted up to 50 sailors through the 'Adopt a Sailor Program' each Thanksgiving and Christmas, providing them with a traditional meal and allowing them to have unlimited access to entertainment options, such as video games, pool, darts and music, in addition to free phone calls to family and loved ones.
Transporting troops from the Great Lakes Naval Base to Arlington Heights has become a challenge over the last several years from a financial perspective. To help the Township provide transportation, residents can sponsor a seat for a sailor by making a check payable to: Wheeling Township-Seats for Sailors. The cost is approximately $20 per seat on a motor coach. Checks can be mailed now until Friday, November 17, 2017. For more information, email jstellato@wheelingtownship.com.
"Supporting active military personnel is important to us as a Township; we recognize and respect all of those who make daily sacrifices for our country," said Jo Stellato, director of finance and administration for Wheeling Township. "Helping out in small, but significant ways enable Township residents to feel they're making a difference, too."
Operation Support Our Troops - America
Beginning Monday, November 3, 2017, the Wheeling Township Senior Advisory & Action Council, in collaboration with Operation Support our Troops - America, will collect the following items to fill care packages for U.S. troops; individual cold drink mix packets (Gatorade, Propel, etc.), peanut butter (28 oz. or less), lotion for men (12 oz. or less), cereal bars, hand sanitizer (12 oz. or less), microwave popcorn, non-aerosol shaving cream and razors, deodorant, Slim Jims/ beef jerky, foot powder (20 oz. or less), and men and women's socks (athletic white or black; no visible logos).
Glass jars or containers, or container sizes other than those listed, as well as expired items will not be accepted. Monetary donations will also be accepted, and will assist with affording the $25 shipping fee for care packages. Checks can be made payable to: Operation Support Our Troops-America.
Letters of encouragement can also be written; every care package sent to military personnel includes at least one letter from a citizen. Letters can be addressed to 'Dear Military Person', and should be left unsealed.
Checks and/or other donations for either of these giving programs can be sent to: Wheeling Township, c/o Jo Stellato, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Donations can also be dropped off at Wheeling Township between Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 25, 2017, between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information about the Support Our Troops-America drive, email Lynndah Lahey, director of senior and disabled services, at llahey@wheelingtownship.com.
ABOUT WHEELING TOWNSHIP
Wheeling Township provides a wide variety of services and giving programs for in-need families living in the Township. These include financial assistance for income-qualified residents, transportation for the elderly and disabled, a food pantry, Meals on Wheels, a mobile dental clinic, back-to-school supply drives, holiday giving programs, and more. The Assessor's office assists homeowners with the filing of property tax extensions and appeals, as well as handles issues and complaints, while the Clerk's office is available for voter registration and election information. Additionally, Wheeling Township maintains five miles of unincorporated roads, and the historic cemetery located within the Township's borders.
There are currently more than 155,000 residents that live in Wheeling Township, in all or part of the following communities: Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling. Wheeling Township is bordered on the north by Lake Cook Road, by Wilke Road on the west, Central Road on the south, and the Des Plaines River on the east. For more information, please visit wheelingtownship.com.