Coat Drive to Benefit Veterans in Lake County

Residents of Deerfield and Highland Park are encouraged to participate in “Operation Stand Down,” a yearly coat drive that benefits veterans in Lake County.

A box for coats is already in place in the lobby at the Deerfield Police Department, which is in its third year collaborating with Deerfield High School, the Highland Park Police Department, Highland Park High School, the Lake County Veteran’s Assistance Commission and other departments and organizations for the drive.

Deerfield Police Sgt. Oliver Cachola brought the drive to Deerfield after participating in it for years when he was with the Vernon Hills department. He and Det. Rick Vernan will collect the coats at the station and take them up to the LCVAC and Col. Pack, who is leading the entire initiative.

Members of the public can bring coats regardless of their condition to the department.

“We are hoping for as many new or slightly used coats as possible, but they don’t have to be clean. Just bring them in and we will be happy to collect them,” Cachola said.

The drive will also take itself to the October 2 rivalry football game between Deerfield and Highland Park at Wolters Field, 1080 Park Ave. in Highland Park. A box will be available there for attendees to donate to the mission, which is to benefit the veterans in Lake County who are in need of assistance.

All coats received will be given to veterans (and their families) in need. Any unclaimed coats will be collected by the Salvation Army who, in return, will make a donation to the Veteran’s Assistance Commission for use by veterans when needing future assistance.

Cachola, a veteran himself having served eight years in the United states Army National Guard, says more than 200 veterans and families have benefitted from the drive in the last few years alone.

“I am very much a believer in the cause,” he said.