Operation T.A.L.K To Host Fundraising Event

TINLEY PARK, IL - April 17, 2015 -- Operation T.A.L.K is getting ready to celebrate its 1st Annual Motorcycle Run and Casino Night at the Tinley Park VFW on May 30th, 2015. Proceeds of this event will benefit Give an Hour™ and the South Suburban Special Recreation Association. These organizations are dedicated to meeting the physical and mental health needs of active military personnel, veterans, their families and the communities affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since the 9-11 terror attacks, more American soldiers have killed themselves than have been killed by the Taliban. Among those in uniform, including the National Guard, the US loses about one a day to suicide. Even more shocking is when you add up the toll among all veterans -- including those who have left the military: suicide claims 22 a day.

-- Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor

Operation T.A.L.K’s mission is to support accredited organizations that raise awareness of and help prevent active duty and veteran suicide as well as to encourage people to get help for PTSD and depression. For many soldiers and veterans, there is a stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues. Maureen Walsh, Operation T.A.L.K’s founder states, “We have to help in every way we can so that no one feels like they can’t ask for help. We can make a difference as long as we don’t sit silent as others hurt.” Walsh expressed her “extreme gratitude to all our community businesses and various organizations for their generous sponsorships, donations and support of Operation T.A.L.K and our Motorcycle Run/Casino Night.”

The 1st Annual Motorcycle Run and Casino Night kicks off Saturday, May 30, 2015 with an 8AM sign-in for the motorcycle riders at the Tinley Park Fire Department Training Facility, 7850 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, IL 60477. The first riders will depart at 10AM and will make the following stops on the route:

• Chaoz Sports Lounge - Crest Hill
• Rustic Inn - Wilmington
• New Image - Frankfort
• Dan D Jac’s - Orland Hills

The run ends at the Tinley Park VFW, 17147 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL, 60477, where the Casino Night Kicks off.. From 2-4PM, the Casino will be open exclusively for the Motorcycle Run participants. At 3:50PM, a special raffle will be held for the cyclists only. Raffle prizes will include baskets filled with all sorts of goodies valued at $100.00 or more, bar signs, etc.

Doors open to the general public at 4PM for an evening of food, drinks, fun, and exciting casino games! Come enjoy trying your luck at one of the following casino games; roulette, poker, black jack, craps or always fun the big wheel. There will also be a silent auction with Chicago sports memorabilia, gift certificates, a golf outing package, and various other items.

A $20 registration fee gets you a Motorcycle Run Pass, Participation Patch, Entry to the Casino Night and if you buy your tickets before May 23, 2015 you will also receive $5 in tickets for the 3:50PM raffle.

Double Savings: For a mere $30, you can register yourself and a passenger.

Don’t want to ride? Admission to the Casino Night alone is $10 … if you buy your tickets before May 23, 2015 you will also receive $5 in raffle tickets!

To Register and Buy Tickets, go to:

http://www.operation-talk.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

To contribute and volunteer, please see:

http://www.operation-talk.org/volunteer-sign-up.html.

If you’d like to be a Sponsor, packages are available at:

http://www.operation-talk.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html.

Rates vary from $1500 for a full corporate sponsorship to a mere $25 ad in the Event Program.

You can also help by donating an item for the silent auction … please contact Maureen Walsh:

maureen.operation.talk@gmail.com