Operation Welcome You Home Ride Aurora Is May 12

AURORA, IL - Each year, Olney C. Allen Elementary School hosts a "Penny War" for a great cause, with each grade collecting donations for the charity of its choice. Four the fourth year in a row, the school's second-graders have collected the most money -- and for the third year, their beneficiary is Operation Welcome You Home (OWYH), a Naperville non-profit that raises money to help support local servicemen and women. The group also hosts welcomes for veterans returning from deployment.

OWYH will accept the donations during the May 12 "Ride Aurora."

"(Second-grade teacher) Nelson Vargas, a Blue Star Father who supports Welcome Homes ... asked if we could 'ride out' to show the children support and gratitude and meet those who support our veterans," OWYH said in an email.

Staging for the car and motorcycle ride is at 12:45 p.m. May 12 starting at Parkside Lanes, 34W113 Montgomery Road.

OWYH is also gearing up to host its annual 5k "Run For The Brave," slated for May 27 in Plainfield.