DAR essay contest winner helps homeless vets
Elgin resident, John Petropoulos, currently a seventh-grader at Fox River Country Day School, took first place in the 2008-2009 American History Essay contest this past February, sponsored by the Barrington Signal Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Designed to promote interest in American history school children grades five-eight are eligible to participate in this annual DAR event.
Petropoulos' essay, entitled "The Ideals of the Gettysburg Address," was subsequently entered into the District IV contest encompassing all of northeastern Illinois and was awarded first place. He was honored during a March DAR district meeting, but he walked away with much more than accolades for his winning paper.
Petropoulos had been sitting with DAR member Jean Tucker Tomko, of the Captain Hubbard Burrows Chapter in Hinsdale. Their conversation revolved around helping veterans through a program called Stand Down, a nonprofit organization founded by veterans to provide support and services for homeless veterans. When he asked how he could help, Tomko provided him with a list of items that the DAR was collecting for the veterans.
Petropoulos got started right away, working through his school Fox River Country Day, to promote and collect items for Stand Down. Within two weeks he had collected enough items to fill a SUV. He took on odd jobs in his neighborhood such as mowing lawns, splitting wood, dog sitting and other yard work, to raise money to buy personal size toiletry items to donate. His grandmother, a resident of Sun City, Huntley, organized a group to make lap robes for veterans.
In total, Petropoulos collected 537 items from his family, neighbors and school. Clothing items, 356 in total, were delivered to AMVETS, with the proceeds of all sales going to Hines VA Hospital. Fifty-two items, including magazines, athletic shoes, lap robes, books, socks, underwear and full-size toiletries were delivered to Hines VA Hospital. From the money Petropoulos earned doing odd jobs in his neighborhood, he purchased 129 personal size toiletry items which were taken to the Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Chicago, in June.
When asked why he wanted to do this, Petropoulos said "They've helped us, so why not help them back."
Barrington's Signal Hill Chapter Regent, Laura Donis remarked, "John has done a remarkable job. We are all so proud of him." Petropoulos will be formally recognized for his efforts during the Sept. 16, DAR chapter meeting to be held 11 a.m. at the Barrington Area Library.
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America's future through better education for children. For information contact membership chairman, Joanne Farrell, (815) 603-7824. For information about the DAR's 2009-2010 American History Essay contest, contact history chairman, Cathy Campagna, (847) 846-9937. This year's topic is "The Transcontinental Railroad."
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