Island Lake businesses, officials helping families with ‘Operation Milk Jug’

The empty milk jugs on countertops at businesses across Island Lake are part of an effort to bring some holiday cheer to needy residents.

Organized by Village Trustee Shannon Fox, the project is called “Operation Milk Jug.” Money collected in the jugs will be used to buy holiday meals for people who can’t afford them.

“(The meals) include everything from the turkey to the whipped cream for the pumpkin pie,” Fox said in an email.

About 20 used, 1-gallon milk jugs are at businesses including C&C Cleaners, the Island Lake Veterinary Clinic, Island Lake Liquors, Little Pete’s Pizza and a local Mobil gas station. Village hall has a jug, too.

All the jugs were washed and decorated for the fundraiser, Fox said.

Last year’s inaugural Milk Jug effort raised $800, and the money was used to buy 20 Thanksgiving dinners and 10 Christmas dinners, Fox said.

Those meal deliveries were dubbed “Operation Turkey Drop,” and that moniker will carry over to this holiday season when it comes time to assemble and give away the food packages, Fox said.

“We’re hoping that the success of these events will continue to grow and we’ll be able to help more and more families each year,” she said.

Fox is working with fellow Trustee Chuck Cermak and village Finance Director John Little on the projects.

“We’re doing it because we have families in the community that are less fortunate than some of us, and we’re trying to cheer them up a little bit for the holiday season,” said Cermak, who has a jug for donations at his Any Kut barber shop.

Operation Milk Jug runs through the week of Dec. 19. Fox thanked local businesses, residents and shoppers for participating.

“Without their generosity, we would not be able to make community initiatives like this happen,” Fox said.