Mission | Events Calendar

Christmas in July

Wednesday | July 19, 2023

Hines VA Hospital

5000 S. Fifth Avenue

Hines, IL 60141 (Maywood, IL)

Operation Welcome You Home plans to distribute 300 stockings filled with Christmas in July cheer to those at Hines VA Hospital on Wednesday, July 19, 2023!

Volunteers are needed to help spread Christmas in July cheer on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. OWYH will be thanking Veterans while distributing the stockings and singing Christmas carols.

For more information, please contact Donna (630.302.2638 | donna@welcomeyouhome.org) or Judi (630.341.1222 | judi@welcomeyouhome.org)

Christmas In July Flyer

Paper Drive

February 1 - 25, 2023

Carillon Clubhouse

21146 S. Carillon Drive

Plainfield, IL 60544

Bobbi Borbas | 815.372.1725

The paper drive is benefiting Hope Manor in Joliet, Illinois which is a 67-unit campus for female and male veterans.
The most needed items are toilet paper, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, feminine hygiene products, dinner napkins, facial tissues, and paper plates.

Drop off is at the Carillon Clubhouse beginning on February 1 and running through Noon on February 25, 2023.
Cash donations accepted at CAMA office.
Checks payable to Operation Welcome You Home.

For more information, please contact Bobbi Borbas, Carillon Veteran Family Organization at 815.372.1725.

Paper Drive Flyer

Secret Santa

Saturday | December 3, 2022

Plainfield Walmart

12690 S. Rt. 59

Plainfield, IL 60585

Operation Welcome You Home is hosting a shopping day for children and teens of veterans on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
Because the ages and clothing sizes are not known, OWYH is humbly requesting only monetary donations to help bless the
life of the child or teen that is currently living at a local veteran campus.
Please consider donating, as you are able, to help spread Christmas joy to many!

To donate, please visit Operation Welcome You Home, or
mail a check to Operation Welcome You Home, 1750 W. Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL 60567, or
contact Donna (donna@welcomeyouhome.org, 630.302.2683) or Judi (judi@welcomeyouhome.org, 630.341.1222).

Operation Welcome You Home Secret Santa Flyer

12th Annual Thanks for Giving Luncheon for Veterans (plus one)

Saturday | November 19, 2022 | 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Romeoville High School

100 N. Independence Blvd.

Romeoville, IL 60446

RSVP by 11.9.22 to ralpost52@gmail.com or 815.905.1202

The Romeoville MCJROTC will post the colors and perform a drill team exhibition. The Will County Veterans Assistance Commission
and other agencies will be on hand to answer your veterans benefits questions and initiate claims. Special performance by The Sweet Reminders.

Sponsored by the American Legion Post 52 Family and the Romeoville Veterans Commission.

12th Annual Thanks for Giving Luncheon Flyer

Veteran's Pantry

Wednesday | November 9, 2022 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

1110 Jericho Road

Aurora, IL 60506

630.897.2127

Groceries are available for veterans during a special Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.

Firearms | Lethal Means Safety Day

Saturday | September 24, 2022 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

DuPage County Complex

South Main Parking Lot

421 N. County Farm Road

Wheaton, IL 60187

Contact Steve Fixler

630.407.5655

Representatives from the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois State Police Department, the DuPage Health Department,
the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Hines Hospital's Suicide Prevention Team, and the Veterans Assistance Commission will be on hand.
Operation Welcome You Home will hand out free gun locks to those who attend. Information will be available on gun safety and suicide prevention.
Expired medications can also be turned in.

This is not a gun buy-back event. Please do not bring any guns or weapons of any type to this event.

Firearms | Lethal Means Safety Day Flyer

100th Birthday Celebration!
Seaman First Class Edward N. Bye
United States Coast Guard | World War II Veteran

Saturday | August 13, 2022 | 12:30 pm

Albright Middle School

1110 S. Villa Avenue

Villa Park IL 60181

Operation Welcome You Home and OWYH supporters have been invited to welcome home and join in the celebration of the 100th birthday of Seaman First Class Edward N. Bye.

Edward earned the American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign with one bronze star Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star Medal,
and the World War II Victory Medal. Edward served on and/or was stationed at RO Chicago, ManBch Trasta Strathmere Station, CGR-4403m/RepBase, Pat Base,
RepBase Cape May, Birks Brigantine NJ, COTP Philoa, DCGO 4ND, TS Alameda (MS), DCGO 11N, USA LT-231, USA LT-20, CGLO N3142, TSW Alameda, DCGO Cleve,
OpBase Chgo, CG Persepcent #9, Detroit.

Escort led by local law enforcement.

OPUS Salute, Honor, and Love Annual Concert

Honoring Veterans and Seniors

Monday | August 8, 2022 | 2:00 pm

Naperville Central College | Wentz Concert Hall

171 E. Chicago Avenue

Naperville IL 60540

Operation Welcome You Home has been invited and asked to extend to you an invitation to the annual OPUS Chamber Music Concert.
The concert will be held in the beautiful Naperville Central College Wentz Concert Hall, located in downtown Naperville.
The OPUS summer music campers and distinguished faculty will perform a special program for guests, honoring veterans and seniors.
The OPUS Salute, Honor, and Love Concert is an exciting day for the OPUS musicians.
The musicians are always excited to honor guests with this very special performance.
Musical groups will perform challenging Chamber pieces, which represent a diverse range of world wide composers.

So that guests can be seated comfortably, reservations can be emailed to Julie.

OPUS serves the community with musical performances throughout the year.

Grand Opening Celebration - Plainfield IL Walmart

Friday | June 17, 2022 | 8:30 am (ribbon cutting at 9:00 am)

Walmart

12690 S. Route 59

Plainfield IL 60585

Walmart associates will present donations to the Plainfield Police and Fire Departments, Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13,
four local high schools, Therapeutic Horse Farm, and Operation Welcome You Home.

Thank you Walmart for your support on behalf of all Veterans!

Celebrating Veterans and those who support Operation Welcome You Home

Tuesday | May 31, 2022 | 1:15 pm

Aurora Roller Skate Center

34W185 Montgomery Road

Aurora, IL 60504

Motorcycles, cars, pickups, and more will form a motorcade riding to:

Olney C. Allen School

700 S. Farnsworth Avenue

Aurora, IL 60505

LEO Escorted Ride

We will enter the school parking lot where the students will be cheering as they are waving American flags and display homemade posters.
Join us for the sixth annual ride helping make this the best mission ever. It is truly rewarding to see the children so excited to thank our veterans.

Celebrate Armed Forces Week at Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ is offering a free sandwich for all active duty service members and veterans.

Monday | May 16, 2022 | Army

Tuesday | May 17, 2022 | Marine Corps

Wednesday | May 18, 2022 | Navy

Thursday | May 19, 2022 | Air Force & Space Force

Friday | May 20, 2022 | Coast Guard

Saturday | May 21, 2022 | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Lunch With The Heros
Mission BBQ will be serving free sandwiches.
Live national anthem at Noon.

1570 Butterfield Road | Downers Grove Illinois 60515 | 630.824.3606

376 Route 59 | Naperville Illinois 60540 | 630.974.5498

Mission BBQ Celebrates Armed Forces Week Flyer

Weber Grill Donation

Saturday | May 14, 2022

VA Fischer House

Operation Welcome You Home is so excited to be presenting a Weber Grill and accessories to Hines VA Fischer House.
OWYH Team and supporters will be ‘Grillin’ for Veterans and their families to share stories and fun times while we grill smoke char burgers,
hot diggity dogs, mustard your condiments, and more. Start the summer season by lighting the burners in saluting the new grill!

Let's not forget about our Hines VA Blind Unit where Operation Welcome You Home will be personally delivering ‘Gourmet Grillin’ foods
to Veterans who cannot join us. Having a grill will make lunch and dinner easier for those staying at the Fischer House while their loved one is a patient at Hines VA.

This Weber Grill is filled with bittersweet emotions for OWYH. We our dedicating a small token of appreciation to our supporter in memory of
USMC SGT Edward Biondi who also saved lives as a firefighter.

Due to COVID restrictions, we are limited to participation at this event.

Veteran's Information Saturday

April 23, 2022 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Orland Park Civic Center

14750 Ravinia Avenue

Orland Park, IL

Lunch provided by City BBQ

Contact Darryl Wertheim, Veteran's Commission Program Coordinator

708.403.6115

Veteran's Information Saturday Flyer

Paper Products Drive

Operation Welcome You Home and the Plainfield Sons of the Legion teamed up for a paper products drive that was held on Saturday, April 16, 2022
at the Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13. The drive was a huge success collecting toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products,
paper plates, silverware, and miscellaneous items. All items collected were donated to Hope Manor, a 67-unit veteran unit campus in Joliet Illinois
and the Midwest Shelter for Veterans in Wheaton Illinois.

Saturday | April 16, 2022 | 9:30 am - 2:00 pm

Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13

24741 W. Renwick Road

Plainfield, IL

Drop off by main entrance of Legion. (Unloading help available.)

Paper goods can also be dropped off at the Legion beginning April 1, 2022.

Contact Donna | 630.302.2638

Paper Drive Flyer

Popcorn Fundraiser

April 11 - 15, 2022

This is an online popcorn fundraiser featuring such flavors as
Sergeant Salt & Pepper, Caramel-Diem, Halla-Peño, My Main Cheese, In Queso Fire,
Little Kettle That Could, Chi-town Chow Down, Easy Peasy Caramel Cheesy, It's Peanut Butter Chocolate Time,
Butter Believe It!, White Cheddar Go Getter, and Sweety, You Salty

This is a four day fundraiser benefiting veterans.

Your popcorn purchase can be shipped anywhere in the United States..

Thank you for supporting our veterans and have a Poppin' Day!

Donna's Pop-Up Store