A few Updates
Hello and thank you for continuing to follow Support Over Stigma. Here are a few highlights since April.
April – Military Appreciation Boxes - We sent five pallets of boxes to Deployed Troops. Thank you to everyone for your generous donations, showing up to help pack and financial contributions to cover the shipping costs.
May 3rd - Naval Station Great Lakes - Huge SHOUT OUT to Volunteer Cari Budz for making hundreds of handmade Mother’s Day Cards. The Sailors were grateful for the opportunity to send a handwritten note to the mother’s and mother figures in their lives. Thank you to American Legion Post 589 for paying for the postage.
May 7th - Military Appreciation Event - Nearly 100 Veterans and their family members attended a Military Appreciation Event, co-hosted by Support Over Stigma and the DuPage County Veterans Assistance Commission. Steve Fixler from the VAC spoke about all of the resources DuPage County has to assist our Veterans. Our own, Zoeie Kreiner, spoke about the invisible wounds of war and suicide prevention. Nine Veterans were recognized for twenty or more years of service!
We would like to thank the IBEW #701 DuPage County Board Member, Greg Hart for generously suppling a wonderful hot breakfast for all!
Visited with our friends at Kane County Sheriff’s offices & DuPage County Sheriff's Offices, 3 Dispatch Centers & Corrections and dropped off Girl Scout Cookies, Squads snacks and discussed how we can help if they come across a Veteran or First Responder in need.
9/11 Remembrance Memorial – We participated in this amazing event in Arlington Heights. We met so many of you. This incredible moving memorial had photos and shared stories of those we have lost in our military since 9/11.
Podcast on Homeless Veterans - Zoeie was on Mike Tellerino’s podcast raising awareness of the issues our homeless Veterans face and how each and every one of us can help.
The Forgotten Warrior Memorial - We were honored to support K9’s for Veterans as they hosted a Memorial Service at the Forgotten Warrior Memorial in Channahon State Park. This is the only permanent memorial dedicated to our service members who lose their battle with PTSD.
Memorial Day – We were honored to take part in the events in St. Charles. From the services in the cemeteries, to the parade and the Freedom Shrine. We were honored to sponsor the picnic that followed, hosted by American Legion Post 342.
Charity Cocktail Hour was hosted by Henry & Mullarky – ReMax All Pro & John Noldan from Guaranteed Rate. The event was a huge success! Thank you to all who came out to be with us. Funds raised will help us continue our mission of saving lives one hero at a time!
Military Appreciation Night with the Kane County Cougars – We met a lot of local Veterans and their families and were able to continue to spread the word of what we do here at Support Over Stigma. The Post Game Fire Works were incredible!
Boosted Morale - Worked with several local American Legions & VFWs to write cards for an Aircraft Carrier that has experienced multiple suicides to raise morale
Ted Nugent – We were asked to attend three Ted Nugent concerts in the are to help raise awareness and met lots of Veterans and First Responders!
Speaking Engagements/Partnerships
Spoke with the team at Lazarus House in St. Charles. Discussed how we can work together to provide better services to our Veterans
Met with Terry Prince, new Acting Director of Illinois Veterans Affairs to discuss how we can partner together to help our Veterans.
Supported multiple Veterans and their families with counseling, connections, advocating on their behalf, financially, food insecurity & other needs.