HOW YOU CAN HELP OUR VETERANS & THOSE IN THE MILITARY THIS SEASON
NAPERVILLE–Veterans Day is an opportunity for our country and our communities to honor and support the men and women in the military who have put their lives on the line serving our country so we may enjoy our freedom. However, there really is a constant need to support our troops and their families besides honoring them on just one day. It was a simple request from a local mom wanting her son to be honored after returning from deployment and then subsequent requests that inspired the creation of Operation Welcome You Home (OWYH) in 2007. Each request became a mission to create a gathering of as many people as possible to show their support. Soon, OWYH also began taking requests to create a festive send-off for those men and women being deployed.
“When I coordinated gatherings for families and saw their tears and emotions of joy, I knew I had to continue this mission of supporting our servicemen and women,” says Donna Morsovillo, OWYH Founder and CEO. “It always amazes me the multitude of local residents and dignitaries who gather for someone they have never met and sometimes even bring gifts.” She mentioned that former Naperville Mayor George Pradel never missed a mission when it was a local event and occasionally would go to the surrounding towns as well.
OWYH is a local volunteer organization that relies upon the generous donations of time, talent and resources of their volunteers, supporters and donors. Besides donations, funds are raised annually at their events. The 10th Annual Run for the Brave 5K Run/Walk/Ruck is currently scheduled for May 29, 2021. This year the race was changed to a virtual race but still considered extremely successful in spite of the circumstances. Donations are used to help Veterans and their families in a variety of ways, including mobile wheelchairs, riding lawn mowers, Action Trackers, airfare for parents to visit their Wounded Warrior, temporary financial assistance, burial expenses and food. During the pandemic, their goal was to assist the VA hospital who experienced low assistance with regards to PPE supplies. “As a result of our generous supporters and donors, we were able to donate $7,500 worth of PPE supplies,” says Donna.
Operation Welcome You Home would like to personally thank each and every serviceman and woman who protect our freedom and their families for their sacrifices. To volunteer, donate or to find out when to come out to support one of their events of honor, visit and register on their website at www.welcomeyouhome.org
