Gilberts businesses collect money for injured soldiers

Norval Nelson knows what it's like to be in a foreign land without the comforts of home.

The 90-year-old Elgin resident was part of a team of Navy SEALs that stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day.

"Two hundred went in. Seventeen came back," Nelson said. "I don't think they expected any of us to come back."

To help American servicemen stationed abroad, Nelson sends care packages to about 150 soldiers every year.

He also took time Saturday as one of the local volunteers at the Wounded Warrior Block Party in Gilberts.

The event, sponsored by the strip of businesses at Route 72 and Industrial Drive, aimed to increase awareness of injured servicemen and raise funds for veterans' charities.

"We wanted to get people in these businesses," said Zach Ahrens of the Piece-a-Cake Bakery, the East Dundee shop that opened a storefront in the strip mall in the spring. "What better way than to help out wounded soldiers?"

At the block party, the Gilberts businesses, local charities and Jim Shea from WWYW-FM held a raffle and collected donations, with the proceeds supporting veterans' advocacy groups.

Piece-a-Cake, owned by Marine Corps veterans Roger and Diane Ahrens, has sent packages of cookies to servicemen for the past three years, calling the effort Operation Sweet Tooth.

Earlier this year, Operation We Care, a group of volunteers affiliated with the Dundee Township Senior Center, started helping Piece-a-Cake pack and send the care packages.

"If we can get people to bake them, we're going to seal them and send them," said Carpentersville resident Ella Ross, a volunteer for Operation We Care.

Many of the soldiers have written letters of gratitude to Operation We Care and the bakery.

"I received your package and letter and wanted all of you to know that there are great people like you who take time to think of others," Sgt. 1st Class Billy Sammons wrote.