Write Letters, Create Drawings for a Joe or Jane in the Military

With kids home from school, nursing home residents not getting visitors, parents and others working from home, it’s a good time to reach out to our military – both retired veterans and men and women stationed around the world. The Illinois 11th District American Legion, which includes DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Will Counties, has teamed up with DoodleBug Workshop, which serves people with disabilities, to encourage people of all ages to “Write a Joe or Jane.”

People can write cards, letters, notes of encouragement or create drawings, which will be forwarded to members of the U.S. military with the help of the Chicagoland Blue Star Mothers. Please indicate if it is for an active soldier or a veteran.

The mail for military can be dropped off by May 16 at several locations in five counties including this location in McHenry County: Second Bridge, 43 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Suite H, Crystal Lake.

(see more drop-off locations in other counties at bottom of this posting)

A flyer with all details plus updates on drop-off locations are posted at the DoodleBug Workshop website: www.doodlebugworkshop.com.

“With everyone stressed right now about the coronavirus, it helps to focus on others – including the thousands of men and women who are defending this country plus veterans in our community,” said Kevin R. Leonard, Commander of the 11th District American Legion. “As a veteran of multiple Middle East tours, I can tell you that being away from home is hard enough. Add in the uncertainty of life on the home front and you’ll find a whole lot of needless stress. I think this letter campaign is just what the doctor ordered for our people overseas. I’m really proud to partner The 11th District of The American Legion with the team at DoodleBug Workshop,” said Leonard.

Sarah Starke, executive director of DoodleBug Workshop, said: “Members of the Legion have been our biggest supporters since we established the workshop three years ago to train people with disabilities. We wanted to create an opportunity that gives a CALL TO ACTION to support our troops during these troubling times and the 11th District of the American Legion is a perfect partner for this effort. Writing a letter to a soldier or a veteran or creating a drawing gives everyone – children and adults - a chance to be pro-active and lift up our troops.”

Additional Drop-off locations in other counties:

DuPage County:
DoodleBug Workshop, 314 S. Main Street, Wheaton (next to Wheaton Meat Company)
Warrenville VFW & American Legion Hall, 3S371 Mignin Drive, Warrenville
Family Foods, Rt. 59 and Batavia Rd, Warrenville

Kane County:
Geneva American Legion Post 75, 22 S. 2nd St., Geneva

Will County:
Joliet American Legion Post 1080, 2625 Ingalls Ave., Joliet

Kendall County
Imagination Print & Design, 68 Main Street, Suite 1, Oswego