'Help A Hero' Drive Benefits Veterans In Transition

CHICAGO, IL — More and more veterans who have been homeless after returning from service have found places to live in recent years, but those same American heroes continue to struggle at times when it comes to having the tools needed to survive comfortably on a daily basis. To help lessen the burden of those transitioning back into housing, those with the means have a convenient way to show support with "Operation Help A Hero," a donation drive with drop-off locations at ward offices and Jewel-Osco locations throughout the city of Chicago.

The drive, which asks residents to donate store-bought items that are dropped off weekly at the Jesse Brown Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, is in its third year running from Memorial Day until the 4th of July.

"When you are out grocery shopping, pick up an extra roll of toilet paper or paper towels," said 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea, who has been enthusiastically involved in the effort since its first year.

"We look at our veterans, who interrupt their lives to go through what they do oversees, come back to our soil and have to deal with depression, PTSD, drug and alcohol addiction. It's heartbreaking."

About 150,000 items were collected during the drive's first year in 2016 and about 250,000 last year, according to Joe Palmer, executive director of Military Outreach USA, the national non-profit that organizes the yearly drive. The goal is to double the number of donations made last year as Jewel-Osco has been added as a sponsor.

O'Shea said the grocery store chain's management in Chicago immediately agreed to become a sponsor when they were approached about it earlier this year.

"We've had great sponsors for this in the past, but nothing the size of a major grocery store chain like Jewel-Osco," the alderman said. "We shouldn't have any problem reaching 500,000 donations. It couldn't be any easier (for people to donate)."

That's because all Jewel-Osco locations in city limits will serve as dropoff locations for the drive. Ward offices in all 50 city wards will also collect donations, as will some Chicago Park District facilities.

In O'Shea's 19th Ward, that means the 19th Ward offices in Beverly (10400 S. Western Ave.) and Mount Greenwood (3215 W. 111th St.) as well as the Jewel-Osco at 103rd and Kedzie and Mt. Greenwood Park. Residents on the east side of the neighborhood can also drop off donations at the Jewel-Osco at 95th and Ashland, which is just outside the 19th Ward.

Although all city aldermen have backed the drive and offered their ward offices as drop-off spots, Palmer says O'Shea in particular has been "a driving force" in getting it started and building momentum.

"Since the very beginning he has been at the forefront moving it forward, working with his staff in coordinating drop-offs and pickups," Palmer said. "Without any qualms, Alderman O'Shea has been a driving force with this program."

Which has been so successful in Chicago that Palmer said other large cities around the country are looking to emulate it in an effort to help veterans from coast to coast.

"We've had places of worship offer up programs like this, but the city of Chicago was the first to do something as elaborate as this," Palmer said.

It's a simple way for residents to show their appreciation for the veterans that have given so much to protect our lifestyles.

"We aren't asking for anything that costs that much," Palmer said. "Just the things that we typically take for granted in our daily lives."

"Our veterans need these types of items," he added. "Sometimes after paying their rent and other expenses they are left with only four or five dollars in their pocket for the whole month. That's why this program is so valuable."

How To Help

Drop off newly bought, unopened items to city ward offices, Jewel-Osco stores within the city of Chicago limits or certain Chicago Park District locations from now until the 4th of July. Here's a full list of drop-off locations.

The donations will be distributed on a weekly basis at the Jesse Brown Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center.

Items in need include:

PERSONAL HYGIENE: bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, nail clippers, toothpaste, toothbrushes;

KITCHEN & CLEANING ITEMS: kitchen trash cans (plastic), Windex, Pine Sol, dishwashing liquid, dishcloths, sponges, mops, buckets, brooms, dustpans, paper towels;

BATHROOM & MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: shower curtains, toilet paper (4 or 6 pack), plungers, toilet brushes, toilet bowl cleaner, bath towels (2), wash cloths, smoke detectors w/ batteries, flashlights w/ batteries, garbage bags, laundry baskets, hampers and laundry detergent.

Photo: 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea stands with a number of items donated to Operation Help a Hero by neighborhood residents at his ward office in Beverly / Photo by Tim Moran, Patch