Fox Valley Troop Support evolves from memory of love letters
Sarah Giachino of St. Charles fell in love with her parents' love letters from World War II - and it eventually vaulted her into a key role with Fox Valley Troop Support Inc.
"I found the love letters my mother and father exchanged when my father was in the European Theater and part of the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach," Giachino said. "They wrote each other every day, and it made me realize that the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq don't have that now, as they are usually just getting e-mails."
Giachino said she met some Marines who were going to Iraq and told them, "I'll write to you because you need letters and I am convinced that having those letters kept my Dad alive."
True to her word, Giachino "adopted" a platoon and sent letters. During that process, she met Kathy Tobusch of Batavia, who had one son in the Marines and another in the Army.
"We joined efforts and started Fox Valley Troop Support, and it's been amazing the number of people who support us," Giachino added. "There are so many people in this area living day-to-day not knowing whether their son or daughter will be safe or live through the day."
The organization is partnering with the Batavia VFW for a spring community care package for troops. Donations can be dropped off at the VFW from 5 to 8 p.m. May 14 and packages put together 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15 (Armed Forces Day).
Giachino said the spring drive often has fewer donations because people tend to have so many other things going on, but those who would like to donate items or help in any other manner can contact Giachino at (630) 587-3789 or myconfident@aol.com; or Tobusch at (630) 464-8142 or kasha226@aol.com.
Rooting for Isacco: Reader Janice Gargantiel of Batavia likes to see the local Ma and Pa restaurants do well.
"I really root for the little independent restaurants trying to make a go of it in this tough economy," she noted in an e-mail.
Gargantiel wanted to share the great experience she had at Isacco's in St. Charles, in the location formerly occupied by the Barbeque Shack on Cedar Street.
"Isacco is from Italy and makes his own pasta fresh daily," she added. "Everything is made right there from soup through dessert."
And here's about as nice a thing as you can say about a chef - "He makes brussel sprouts as good as a dessert."
Tell that one to your young kids if you visit this restaurant.
She also warns that everything is made to order, so you can't be in a hurry.
That Blue Cheese choice: Another reader had good things to say about the Rx Café in St. Charles, which I mentioned in a recent column.
Phil Kessler of St. Charles said the Blue Cheese beef sandwich at Rx was quite good. Anyone interested in this new spot at 113 W. Main St. might want to stop by today for the 4 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially kicks off the restaurant's home amid the First Street Plaza.
dheun@sbcglobal.net