Rotary International and Hinsdale Rotary Club teamed up to provide over 100 bikes for military families on Armed Forces Day. The Hinsdale Rotary Club raised money to buy 100 youth bicycles and bicycle helmets after seeing a need at USO of Illinois for outdoor recreation equipment. Tom Norton, a Hinsdale Rotarian and USO Volunteer, helped to facilitate the bike give away and stored the bikes in his garage for over two weeks! Illinois Lt. Governor, Evelyn Sanguinetti, was also on site to help with the giveaway and to thank military members for their service to our nation.

 

Thank you to Rotary International, Hinsdale Rotary Club and Tom and Evelyn Norton for helping to support our military youth with this generous gift!

On Sunday, May 20, nearly 30 military kids aged 11-18 attended USO Teen/Tween at Ultimate Ninjas Libertyville. Inspired by the hit television show "American Ninja Warrior" on NBC, Ultimate Ninjas offers a wide variety of obstacle courses for kids of every skill level. Agility courses, swinging ropes, monkey bars, quintuple steps, climbing and warped walls tested the Teens and Tweens strength and agility. Military youth had a fun time making new friends, testing their physical, mental abilities and becoming ultimate ninjas!

 

Thank you to the Chicago Bears for supporting our military youth programs and making this event possible.

 

 

The Chicago Cubs and The Boeing Company have teamed up to support our nation's military at the "Chicago Cubs Military Appreciation Night, presented by Boeing" on May 22nd. Highlights from the game include SPC Alvarez, Illinois National Guard, singing an incredible rendition of the National Anthem; Sergeant Ellis, United States Marine Corp, throwing out the ceremonial 1st pitch; members of the Illinois Air National Guard and Illinois Army National Guard rounding the bases in a "Military Take the Field" experience; and MA1(SW/AW) Thurston being honored during the Boeing HOME&AWAY Military salute. Nearly 160 currently serving military and their family members received free tickets to attend the game thanks to the generosity of Cubs Season Ticket Holders.

 

Thank you to our friends and partners at the Chicago Cubs and The Boeing Company for helping to make a perfect day of baseball for our military and their families.  

For the past five years, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and dozens of local new-car dealers in the Chicagoland area have kicked-off the summer barbecue season with USO of Illinois through USO BBQ for the Troops, an initiative dedicated to raising money to support essential USO programming. Since 2013, the CATA and more than 100 Chicagoland new car dealers have raised more than $560,000 for USO of Illinois programs supporting area troops and their families.

   

On July 14th, participating Chicagoland dealerships will start their engines and heat up their grills for USO of Illinois. Some of last year's BBQ for the Troops highlights include:

For a list of dealerships participating in USO BBQ for the Troops this Saturday, visit   www.drivechicago.com. 

 

The USO of Illinois salutes the CATA and all the dealerships who are participating in the USO BBQ for the Troops program this year.