• Editor’s Note: This is the second of a series of articles honoring veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, leading up to Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2017.

What started as a way to bring a smile to military personnel deployed has become a cherished fall activity for senior citizens participating with Senior Services Associates.

Senior Services Associates offers important information, assistance and support services to individuals over the age of 60 and their loved ones, as well as activities for older adults throughout Kendall County.

In 2015, Senior Services partnered with the Plano American Legion in a special initiative called Operation R&R to send sports equipment to service men and women through the USO. Since then, the Operation R&R program has developed from sending baseballs, basketballs, and playing cards to include other needed items including stationery, magazines, puzzle books, adult coloring books, magazines, music CDs Movie DVDs, and novels.

In 2017, Senior Services started a new emphasis on sending personal care items. Donors brought in personal hygiene items, soaps, lotion, and deodorant, hand and foot warmers and other important items for deployed personnel, with an emphasis on sending things that could be easily packed for carrying.

More than 300 items were donated from seniors in McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties participating in programs at Senior Services Associates centers. In addition to these, donation boxes are stationed throughout Kendall and Kane counties with local Scout troops and American Legion Posts.

Volunteers at Senior Services packed the items for shipping in mid-October, and Jim Hill, commander of Plano American Legion Post 395, delivered the boxes to the USO office at Rock Island Arsenal. Operation R&R continues to be a year-round initiative of the Plano American Legion, while seniors in McHenry, Kane, and Kendall counties continue to donate each fall in remembrance of Patriot’s Day.

For more information about Operation R&R, Senior Services programs, and volunteering through Senior Services, contact Barb Nadeau at 630-553-5777.  For information on American Legion activities and initiatives, contact Jim Hill, Commander of Plano American Legion Post #395 at 630-552-8313.

About the USO of Illinois

Since 1941, the USO has served as a private, civilian 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that receives no direct government funding, but relies solely on the generosity of the American people.

The USO of Illinois touches the lives of more than 318,000 Active Duty, Guard and Reserve military and military families throughout Illinois. Offered year round, the USO of Illinois provides over 300 programs and services that enhance the quality of our service members lives which raise morale through unique recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities and USO Center facilities at Midway Airport, Great Lakes Naval Station, O’Hare Terminal 2, O’Hare Terminal 3 and the Rock Island Arsenal. Together, our network of hundreds of volunteers donates nearly 20,000 hours of service annually in honor of our brave men and women.

The USO is chartered by Congress as a non-profit organization. It is not part of the U.S. government but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

SOURCE: Senior Services Associates news release