High school teams, police join forces to aid veterans
With the start of a new high school football season, teams will be battling each other for bragging rights, playoff spots, and conference titles.
But participating high schools and football teams, along with Lake County law enforcement, are all working from the same playbook in addressing the issue of veterans in need.
Starting Friday, Sept. 6, and continuing on through the entire season, Lake County high schools will host coat drives for veterans at football games, supported by law enforcement.
The initiative is a key part of Operation Stand Down, a military term defined as a unit’s refitting or resetting for the next mission.
For the Lake County Veteran’s Assistance Commission, it is an event in which veterans in-need receive a medical and dental assessment, a haircut, and a referral for other services. In addition, with winter approaching, the VAC has long striven toward the goal of providing each veteran in need with one winter coat.
According to Mike Peck, director of the Lake County Veteran’s Assistance Commission, approximately 13 percent of Lake County’s veterans are unemployed, with 388 receiving state assistance, 131 requiring monthly food supplement aid, and approximately 60 who are homeless.
“We are a county of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots,’” Peck said. “Lake County has many affluent areas, yet in the shadows, we have homeless veterans and those who have been marginalized.
“Our country is defended by 1 percent of our population, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that our defenders and their families are cared for during their time of need.”
Peck said 256 veterans were served at the 2012 Stand Down, and is expecting more than 300 this year.
Many veterans seeking services are homeless or at risk. Besides the services, VAC has always tried to make clothing available for potential job interviews and coats available before winter.
In past years, a Libertyville-area resident personally funded the winter clothing component but was unable to continue because of the economy. Coordinators reached out to local law enforcement. School resource officers were asked to engage high school students to see how the need could be addressed.
Participating high schools select a home game, usually against a key opponent, and conduct a coat drive leading up to the game. Collected coats are taken to the VAC where vets can select one of the coats for themselves and/or family members.
The role of law enforcement and education in the Stand Down effort are connected. Most law enforcement agencies in Lake County are committed to a community-oriented policing model, which looks at actively addressing social issues. High school teachers and coaches encourage student-led organizations to make a positive difference.
“Local high schools and police departments have the ability to connect with their communities, to define what is important and to impact positive change,” said Libertyville Police Chief Clint Herdegen.
The Mundelein police department will partner with Mundelein High School for the drive in conjunction with the opening of its new turf football field against Stevenson.
“As a school district, we understand the importance of community, and the coat drive is a terrific cause for veterans, and is just another example of how we can work together to help those in need,” said Ron Girard, communications director at MHS.
Residents at The Park Senior Living Facility in Vernon Hills also contribute.
“We have a group of ladies that begin knitting scarves for the veterans around December of each year and knit all the way up until the event,” said Sherri Imperial, program director. “The club creates almost 200 scarves and they are presented as a gift of warmth and thanks to our veterans.”
Stand Down will be held Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 20 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan. Contact Peck at (847) 377-3344 for information or to contribute, or visit any of the football games or police departments with a new or gently-used coat.
High school conduct coat drives for vets
Vernon Hills Cougars at Grayslake Central Rams
Sept. 6; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Vernon Hills, Grayslake
Grant (Fox Lake) Bulldogs at Vernon Hills Cougars (Seniors Night)
Sept. 20; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Round Lake, Fox Lake, Vernon Hills
Deerfield Warriors at Highland Park Giants
Sept. 27; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Deerfield, Highland Park
Lake Forest Scouts at Libertyville Wildcats
Oct. 11; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Lake Forest, Libertyville
Stevenson Patriots at Mundelein Mustangs
Oct. 11; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Lincolnshire, Mundelein
Mundelein Mustangs at Warren Blue Devils
Oct. 19; 7:30 p.m.
Supporting police departments: Mundelein, Gurnee
Grayslake North Knights
Conducting coat drive throughout the 2013 season
Supporting police departments: Grayslake, Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa
Pending
Lakes Eagles
Date: TBD
Supporting police departments: Lake Villa