Free Carol Stream concert to help troops

When Deborah Rickert started packing boxes of items to send to her military son and neighborhood men and women serving in Iraq, little did she know what it would lead to seven years later.

With more than 31,000 care packages sent to troops overseas, the Illinois chapter of Operation Support Our Troops has gone from a kitchen project to a group that sees thousands of people attend its annual fundraiser, a concert for the troops at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

Tonight the troops supported by the organization will once again benefit from a show as Carol Stream presents "Concert for the Troops," which will collect care package donations on behalf of the Naperville-based group.

Tony Spavone will perform at 7 p.m. today at Ross Ferraro Town Center, at the corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road. For a list of the most-needed items for care packages, visit osotil.com.

With the village's weekly Thursday night concert series winding down, village President Frank Saverino decided to add one more and make it count.

After enlisting longtime pal Tony Spavone to perform, Saverino and other officials decided to bring in Rickert's group.

"What we take for granted are the things that they don't have," Saverino said. "Whatever we collect will all go for the troops."

Saverino said the concert has been in the making for six weeks.

Barbara Giacomino, who served as the village's contact with Operation Support Our Troops, said troops genuinely appreciate the support.

"We have binder after binder after binder of letters we receive," she said.

Giacomino said most of the organization's 300-plus volunteers have family members serving overseas and many have lost children in the war.

"It's incredibly personal to all of us," she said. "We have been at war a long time, but on the normal streets of America, you cannot tell."

As the volunteers accept donations, they often think of their children. Giacomino said it serves as a form of therapy for some of them. Giacomino's son served in Iraq for five years before returning last year.

She said the care packages show the troops they have not been forgotten.

"That's why we do this," she said. "They are all our family and in harm's way. They need to know the American people are paying attention. It's not political, and we work hard to keep that out of the picture."

If you goWhat: Tony Spavone performs a "Concert for the Troops"When: 7 p.m. today, Aug. 19Where: Ross Ferraro Town Center, corner of Lies Road and Gary Avenue, Carol StreamCost: Free, but attendees are asked to bring care packages for overseas troops, which will be donated to Operation Support Our Troops, Illinois. For details on the most-needed items, visit osotil.com. Info: carolstream.org