'Write a Joe or Jane' campaign a success

Members of the American military will be reading letters from home due to a recent effort called "Write a Joe or Jane."

DoodleBug Workshop in Wheaton, which serves people with disabilities in DuPage and beyond, initiated a letter-writing campaign this spring.

They worked with Commander Kevin Leonard of the Illinois 11th District American Legion to spread the word and with Chicagoland Blue Star Mothers, who will get the letters distributed.

"It was a chance for people of all ages hunkered down at home or in senior facilities to share their stories and build up the morale of people in uniform," said Sarah Starke, executive director of DoodleBug Workshop. "We collected just under 300 letters and cards. The American Legion has been so supportive of efforts to teach our participants how to use tools and make beautiful wood products, we wanted to give back to active military and veterans.

"The veterans also helped us set up our new workshop space at 314 S. Main Street in Wheaton," she said.

Volunteers needed

The Doodlebug Workshop is also looking for volunteers for the setup and takedown of the Field of Flags in Warrenville.

For the week of the Fourth of July, the field at the VFW hall, 3S371 Mignin Drive, will be displaying 500 flags. They are looking for volunteers to help set up and take down. At 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, they will be prepping flags and setting up the field at the VFW. At 1 p.m. Sunday, July 5, they will be taking down the flags. For information, contact Sarah at (630) 995-1328 or sarah@doodlebugworkshop.com.

For information, visit www.facebook.com/TheDoodleBugWorkshop/ or www.doodlebugworkshop.com/.