Annual coat drive, Stand Down event provide services and benefits to veterans

With fall comes football, cooler temperatures and the annual effort to assist Lake County veterans in need, known as a Stand Down.

That's a military term meaning "refitting or resetting for the next mission," according to Mike Peck, director of the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission,

The target of Stand Down is the estimated 4,000 unemployed veterans in Lake County. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, 3,500 have stopped looking for work, with 563 actively seeking employment.

The VAC commission will conduct this year's Stand Down from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the VAC Office, 20 S. Martin Luther King Ave., Waukegan. The Stand Down will give veterans and their families one stop for all their benefit assistance. All eligible veterans are asked to register in advance by calling (847) 344-3377.

"Lake County is a county of haves and have nots. These are difficult economic times. We have worked to ensure that no veteran is homeless or hungry in Lake County," Peck said.

"And we are focusing on restoring dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose," said Jon Petrillo, deputy chief of Vernon Hills police.

Peck and Petrillo have networked and reached out to peers, area law enforcement, and school resource officers at area high schools. The result is an annual effort that has become known as "Operation Stand Down."

At the Stand Down, volunteers will provide assistance in registering for VA health care eligibility, claims assistance, conduct medical and dental screenings, offer employment assistance, education assistance, financial counseling, clothing, and food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The VAC will also provide lunch and coupons for hair cuts through the barber shop at Lovell FHCC. Coats collected but not selected by a veteran will be turned over to a charity in exchange for future emergency assistance that is provided to veterans in need throughout the year.

Awareness of the issues that veterans are facing is shared with high schools, who, through clubs or service classes, can discuss the issues. Most high schools take an additional step in conducting coat drives during their rivalry football games. Collected coats are made available to veterans at the VAC office.

Also participating are Lovell Federal Health Care Center staff, Rosalind Franklin University, the Lake County Health Department, Lake-McHenry Veterans Family Services, Prairie State Legal, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Consumer Financial Counseling, Zengler Cleaners, COOL Food Pantry, area VFWs, American Legions and the College of Lake County.

"High school football is a huge platform. We appreciate the enthusiasm and partnership from all the Lake County high schools that support this effort," Petrillo said.

"With schools having only four or five home games, for officials to embrace the Stand Down and dedicate their rivalry game and, in some cases a season, to highlighting this issue, it's an incredible show of support."

"We are pleased to once again support the Stand Down effort to help any veterans who need assistance. We are counting on all Mustang fans to bring a coat to the game on Sept. 26 and do their part to help out those who have served our country," said Ron Girard, Mundelein High School public information officer.

To encourage participation, when Mundelein hosts rival Warren, MHS is offering a game ticket for $1 for those who donate a new or gently used coat.

In addition to high schools participating, local police departments partner in this effort and also collect coats at their stations.

"We are pleased to be part of such a meaningful program. Our veterans have earned and deserve our support from their communities. We are proud to partner with Mundelein High School and Carmel Catholic in support of this effort," Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther said.

For some police departments and officers, the cause is personal. Deerfield police Sgt. Oliver Cachola participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Being a veteran myself, I feel strongly about this cause and I want to help out as much as I can. The community of Deerfield and Bannockburn support Operation Stand Down because it is a great cause," he said.

Eleven high schools and more than 14 police departments, along with the Lake County States Attorney and Lake County Sheriff, support the Veterans Assistance Commission in this effort.

"Together, we can raise awareness of the issue, make Lake County a better place, and try to help our brothers and sisters and their families who have served," Petrillo said.