Wood Dale man, 84, helping bring 9,100 gifts to veterans

Army veteran Gene Mikulecky has logged long, frozen hours in the belly of anti-submarine planes at 25,000 feet. He knows how it feels to be cold and lonely, and he doesn't want any of his fellow veterans to have that feeling again.

So every fall, Mikulecky, 84, bundles up and logs as many as 16 to 18 hours in a weekend, asking shoppers for money at the Jewel or Walgreens near his hometown of Wood Dale. He collected nearly $1,000 during his two shifts this year.

The collections are part of the effort by his Roselle American Legion Post 1084 to provide Christmas presents to veterans who are hospitalized or in nursing homes. Their effort is a cog in the statewide Gifts to the Yanks who Gave program.

Mikulecky, along with members of the Women's Auxiliary of VFW Post 7181 in Franklin Park, last week welcomed a delivery truck dropping off more than 9,100 gifts to be distributed Wednesday at Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital near Maywood.

Mikulecky's Roselle post traditionally has used their donations to buy comfortable clothing, such as sweatsuits, and toiletries for the veterans. The post has been the top collector for the past decade, donating between $10,000 and $19,000 each year to the cause.

Mikulecky, who served 10 years as a 2nd class petty officer in an anti-submarine unit during the Cuban missile crisis, says the trick to getting good donations is to get out early.

“Our secret is that we prepare all year to get our big collection on Veterans Day,” he said, rather than competing with myriad groups seeking funds during the holiday season.

Gifts to the Yanks was started in 1944 to remember hospitalized war veterans during the holidays.

Mitra Gobin, chief of voluntary services at Hines, said Mikulecky's efforts every year are an instrumental part of the 116,000 volunteer hours put in for the hospital every year.

“It's one thing to see the work they do and the amount of donations Gene organized to come here,” he said. “But the inspiring part is seeing how it impacts the veterans. The sheer number of gifts is awesome, but the impact for vets to receive these niceties allows us to go above and beyond to enhance that quality of care.”

Gobin is also aware of Mikulecky's winning track record when it comes to his post collecting the most money year after year.

“That is something to be proud of. He's giving back to his comrades here,” he said. “I hope next year Gene continues his efforts and keeps his record of being on top because our veterans are befitting right here. Gene's not going anywhere because he thrives on helping his peers and his country.”

Mikulecky would agree with that.

“Being a veteran,” he said, “I know what it's like to be lonely and to need or want something. Deep down in my heart I just have so much love for those who helped me come out of my service alive.

“I feel it's the least I can do for the great things my country has done for me. I'm that devoted to my country. Anything I can do for my country, I'm pleased to do it.”