DAR District IV Daughters volunteer and provides socks for the Chicago Stand Down
The first Standdown event took place in 1988 in San Diego, CA. The Standdowns have since spread across the country, including Chicago, where two events are held every year.
More than 200 stand downs are held across the nation and are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' effort to house and aid 38,000 homeless Veterans across the country in 2023.
The Chicago Standdown has celebrated their 30th anniversary helping in need veterans. It is an event where veterans that are experiencing homelessness can find help to rebuild their lives, receive clothing, food, get assistance for housing and find a source of income and more.
Chicago Stand Downs are held in the summer and winter. These bi-annual events are organized by a committee consisting of VA staff, local nonprofits, and area agencies. Leading the committee are the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
The 2023 Winter Standdown was on Thursday November 16, 2023, at the Northwest Armory at 1551 N. Kedzie in Chicago.
Illinois District IV Daughters of the American Revolution is the largest district in the state and is comprised of 29 chapters. District IV Daughters have been involved with the Chicago Stand Down for many years and are known as the “Sock People.” At the District and Chapter level, the Daughters have collected new socks, hand knitted hats, scarfs, neck gaiters, and toiletries. This year 8 chapters and over 17 volunteers participated for the set up and distribution. Over 2900 pairs of socks and over 1500 hats, scarfs, neck gaiters and gloves were donated by District IV.
Libertyville's Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter donated over 600 pairs of socks, which included 367 pairs of socks donated by the Extra Wide Sock Company in Lake Zurich and 146 pairs of socks donated by Meijer Food Store in Round Lake Beach. One of our members, Jackie Maddock, hand knitted 240 hat, scarf and neck gaiter sets.
For more information about Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, please visit:
https://www.ildar.org/chapters/anselbrainerdcook or email us at: ABC4DAR@gmail.com
For more information about the Chicago Standdown, please visit:
https://www.chicagostanddown.org/