Donate To 'Share The Warmth' In Honor Of AJ Freund

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Members of the local ROAR for AJ group are holding a "Share the Warmth Winter Drive" through Friday, Nov. 29 to help foster children in the community stay warm this season in honor of 5-year-old Andrew "AJ" Freund, whose April death devastated (and still does to this day) community members. According to the group's Facebook page, all new and gently used winter coats, hats and gloves will be accepted at drop off locations, in addition to new winter items including pajamas, slipper socks, and throw blankets.

"New" sleepwear items offer a sense of comfort to foster children during their first night in a new home, according to the group's Facebook post.

ROAR, created for those committed to actively pushing for a change in the judicial system's handling of DCFS procedures, continues providing opportunities and resources for those who ask what they can do or how they can get involved in efforts to help ensure what happened to AJ doesn't happen to another child.

Bring your donations to one of the following Winter Drive drop off locations during these specified days/times:

• Rep. Steve Reick's office, 1072 Lake Avenue, Woodstock: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
• Rep. Allen Skillicorn's office, 1500 Claremont Drive, Crystal Lake, *Suite D*: Monday through Friday.
• City of Harvard, 201 W. Diggins Street, Harvard: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"Let's come together again as a community in memory of AJ and not leave anyone out in the cold!" Tracy Kotzman, the organizer of ROAR for AJ, stated on the group's Facebook page. "We are hoping to have an over abundance of donations to give to various organizations to help as many as we can!"

• More Faces For AJ Freund: 'Roar For AJ' Encourages Participation

Patch has detailed in recent months the encounters AJ's parents had with DCFS during his short life. AJ was placed in foster care with a relative after he was born with opiates and benzodiazepines in his system. After 18 months, AJ was returned to his parents care and DCFS made 26 visits to the home where they reported no signs of abuse or neglect.

Authorities believe Freund died on April 15, three days before he was reported missing, according to court documents. His parents, JoAnn Cunningham, 36, and Andrew Freund, 60, are charged with his murder and are being accused of forcing their son to stay in a cold shower for an extended period and beat him, which lead to the young boy's death.

Both Freund and Cunningham remain in custody at the McHenry County Jail. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, aggravated battery of a child, concealing a homicidal death and reckless conduct.

More from Patch:

• AJ Freund's Death Due To 'Reckless' DCFS Duo: Lawsuit
  
• DCFS Workers In A.J. Freund Case Expected To Be Fired: Report
• AJ Freund's Estate Attorney Brings Up Possible Lawsuit: Report
  
• Groups Petition For Changes To DCFS Following AJ Freund's Death

While Kotzman encourages community members to continue pushing for justice for Freund in any way they can, she believes demonstrations, or the group's "peaceful protests," are the very best ways to keep Freund's story in the public eye. The group holds these demonstrations outside DCFS, 113 Newell Street, in Woodstock, and outside the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, also in Woodstock, during DCFS meetings or Freund and Cunningham court dates.

The next ROAR for AJ courthouse demonstration be held at 9 a.m., Dec. 10 at the McHenry County Government Center. >> More details

Kotzman said public outcry is a way to be seen, and an action that lets the judicial system and lawmakers know community members are watching.

To learn more about this group and their push for change and justice, or for upcoming demonstration dates, visit ROAR for AJ.

(Photo: Roar for AJ)