IDOT Employees Contribute Nearly 1,200 Pounds of Food and Supplies to Troops Serving Overseas

Christmas Cards and Personal Letters Also Go to Service Members to Show Support

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) workers donated nearly 1,200 pounds of food and supplies to be sent to military personnel serving overseas through the holidays. IDOT staff participated in a collection drive for the Operation Support Our Troops - America organization, which also resulted in more than 170 Christmas cards and personal letters going to armed services members.

“We should always remember the sacrifice our men and women serving overseas make each day and do what we can to express our gratitude and support,” said Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “I am very proud of the diligence and compassion shown by the employees at IDOT. They made a commitment to contribute their time and money to show our troops how much we appreciate them for all they do.”

After Governor Pat Quinn announced the “America has NOT Forgotten” campaign encouraging Illinoisans to support Veterans and Military families, IDOT took the challenge to get involved.

All nine IDOT districts participated in the collection drive and served as drop off locations. The items collected included crackers, canned pasta and soup, granola bars, foot powder, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, canned nuts, individually-wrapped hot chocolate and coffee packets of ground coffee and Starbucks’ coffee cups. The statewide collection period was approximately two weeks.

Operation Support Our Troops - America is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that supports the morale and wellbeing of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to them and their families while they are deployed and after their return. Since its inception, the organization has shipped approximately 900,000 pounds of goods to troops around the world. Operation Support Our Troops - America also provides financial support to military and veteran support organizations such as Fisher House and Hines VA Hospital.

For more information about Operation Support Our Troops - America and other programs for our Veterans and servicemembers, visit www.OSOTAmerica.org and www.OperationHomefront.org.