This McHenry Co. Drive Will Support Local Veterans: Here's How You Can Help

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL —The McHenry County Department of Health, in partnership with the Lake County Health Department and other community organizations, has launched the 6th annual Operation Dropbox donation drive. The drive is meant to support more than 3,000 local veterans and their families.

Operation Dropbox is a countywide initiative that runs throughout the month of May.

Donations will be collected at participating businesses, churches, libraries and organizations across McHenry and Lake counties, according to the news release. In McHenry County, medical reserve corps volunteers will collect and deliver donations to Veterans Path to Hope.

All donated items will directly benefit Veterans Path to Hope, a local nonprofit that provides veterans with housing and employment services, transitional living support, basic needs such as food, furniture, and household goods, peer support, caregiver training and counseling.

In Lake County, donations will support the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation, a veteran-staffed drop-in center that offers similar vital services.

To learn more about Veterans Path to Hope, call 815-321-4673 or visit veteranspathtohope.org.

Here Is How You Can Help

During the month of May, the following items, which should be new and unexpired, will be accepted at participating drop site locations:

• Canned Goods: Progresso and Chunky soups, Chef Boyardee (ravioli, beefaroni, etc.), Hormel Chili, Manwich, canned beef stew, sardines, corned beef/roast beef hash, canned chicken/tuna/spam, and spaghetti sauce
• Household Items: Cookware (pots, pans, utensils), coffee pots and supplies, manual can openers, household cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, new pillows, paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), plastic silverware, garbage bags (13 gal / 65 gal industrial), and gas cards or Walmart/Target gift cards
• Pantry Goods: Peanut butter & jelly, ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing, macaroni & cheese, granola bars, apple sauce, fruit cups, canned vegetables and fruit, cereal, instant oatmeal packets, shelf-stable milk, bottled juice (all varieties), pancake mix, flour, sugar, baking supplies, and ramen noodles
• Personal Items: Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant/personal hygiene items, new socks (men’s and women’s), soap, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss

To make this event possible, MCDH has partnered with Veterans Path to Hope, the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission, the McHenry County Division of Transportation, the Lake County Health Department, Lake County Veterans and Family Services and volunteers from both the McHenry County and Lake County Medical Reserve Corps.

For a full list of participating McHenry County drop site locations, you can visit here. For a full list of participating Lake County drop site locations, you can check out the Lake County’s event flyer.

For more information about the Operation Dropbox donation drive, visit here, email community-health@mchenrycountyil.gov or call (815) 334-4500.