Hainesville man is December hometown hero

The Round Lake Area Exchange Club has announced that U.S. Army Spc. Scott Hein of Hainesville is the December hometown hero.

A 2009 graduate of Grayslake Central High School, Hein was registered for this honor by family friend and Hainesville Mayor Linda Soto.

Hein is expected to be home for the holidays, coming from a deployment in Afghanistan. He has been awarded a combat action badge, the army commendation medal and other awards during his four years of service. He is a combat engineer and will complete his service in Bamburg, Germany.

The “Hanging with the Heroes” care package being sent to him will be filled with beef jerky, candy, Skittles, nuts and snacks thanks to this month’s sponsor, Round Lake Area Park District. Also in the package will be a personalized “Hanging with the Heroes” T-shirt, donated by ArtRageous of Hainesville, a piece of home and letters from Round Lake Area District 116 students.

Heroes also receive a specially made rosary for the military from Legion of Mary from St. Joseph’s in Round Lake.

The Round Lake Area Exchange Club will present a plaque to his family Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 a.m. at its meeting in the Panera Bread meeting room in Round Lake Beach.

Any and all military personnel serving overseas or in the USA from any of the Round Lake Areas, Hainesville, Fox Lake, Ingleside or surrounding areas qualify for the program. If you have a neighbor, family member, friend, employee, employer, etc. serving in the military, register them by going to www.rlaexchange.org/hero.

For more information, visit the website or contact Sherry Ridge at (847) 740-2379.