The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Serve Illinois Commission partnered to create a week of service called ‘Serving Those Who Served’ to thank service men and women, our Veterans, and their families.
On November 5-12, people all over the State of Illinois were engaged in volunteer service projects focused on benefiting our heroes. IPHA AmeriCorps Members served Veterans in three different ways.
On Saturday, November 10, IPHA AmeriCorps Members served with the Chicago 1st Service Platoon at Hope Manor II in Chicago (Englewood) through an organization called The Mission Continues. They assisted with constructing mini, portable chessboards that will be sent to currently serving military, as well as other veteran service organizations such as Chess for Vets and Lynch Foundation.
On Monday, November, 12, an IPHA AmeriCorps Member assisted with the Veteran’s Day ceremony at Camp Butler Cemetery in Springfield that included posting and retiring of the colors, a Veteran’s Day address, and several other military tributes. After the ceremony, the member was able to visit his father’s grave, who was a WWII Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor.
Lastly, one of the members held an item collection drive to benefit Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. She chose this location for the recipient of the donations because of her positive experience of volunteering there last year. She focused on collecting items such as clothing, personal care products, and books. She was able to send a large box filled with needed items to the hospital on Friday, November 16.
