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Old Naperville Day returns to benefit Operation Support Our Troops-America

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Above / The Lantern, located at the corner of Chicago Avenue at Washington Street, will host the 3rd Annual Old Naperville Day on August 19, 2018. During the afternoon event, Chicago Avenue will be blocked off between Washington and Main streets.


Many familiar faces were among the crowd at the Lantern’s 50th anniversary block party, inspiring the return of the event on Aug. 20, 2017.

The Lantern’s Old Naperville Day is slated to return to downtown Naperville from noon to 6PM on Sunday, August 20, 2017.

After the success of the Lantern’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2016, the popular establishment again will host the block party to bring the Naperville community together for a day of fun, music and giving back to a nonprofit charity, Operation Support Our Troops – America. Old Naperville Day is proclaimed by Mayor Steve Chirico.

The Lantern is located at 8 W. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville.

The family-friendly day begins at noon with entertainment provided by Jake & Elwood All Star Blues Band and Semple. Thanks to generous sponsors, including The Lantern, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Esser Hayes Insurance Group, Budweiser, Tuk Tuk Naperville, and 95.9 The River, the cost of the bands are covered.

Food will be available for purchase from The Lantern, Empire, Uncle Pete’s Pizza, Jimmy’s, Dark Horse, Sullivan’s and Board and Barrel.

“We are thrilled to have Operation Support Our Troops – America be the nonprofit partnering with The Lantern for the second year in a row, and the first year as The Lantern Old Naperville Day,” said Jamie Nelson, Executive Director of OSOT-America. “With how long The Lantern has been a part of the Naperville fabric, and us being founded by a military mom from Naperville, it is a great partnership. The money raised last year was used to help ship our comfort and care packages and to provide financial relief for a veteran in need through our Allen J Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Assistance Program by helping them with covering their rent.”

For more info,  visit www.oldnapervilleday.com.

RELATED PN LINK / A few memories from Lantern’s 50th Anniversary Block Party

Proceeds from Old Naperville Day help support 

Comfort and Care Package Program / To date, over 1.8 million pounds of items have been sent to deployed troops. Each box is addressed to an individual service member but is designed to be shared with nine other troops. The program is ready to respond to specific need requests coming from units in remote areas, Chaplains and field hospitals.

Leap of Faith Program / The Leap of Faith program is a three day, intensive grief seminar, done in partnership with the U.S. Army Golden Knights or the All Veteran Parachute Team and combines seminar time, peer support, dolphin or equine therapy, and a tandem sky dive as a way to help Gold Star family members move forward in the grieving process.

Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veteran’s Assistance Program / Founded to provide assistance in the recovery or education process for a veteran experiencing financial hardship through no fault of their own. Assistance is provided one time and is voted on by an oversight committee after reviewing the application and documentation. Additionally, job search support and help connecting veterans to jobs is provided.

G.I. Yoga Program / G.I. Yoga which provides a safe community of fellow veterans and their families to learn yoga to release stress, sleep better, ease aches and pains, lower blood pressure, increase strength, flexibility, balance and focus. Yoga is frequently becoming a “tool in the toolbox” of veterans and their family members seeking physical fitness and alternative ways to manage the symptoms of PTS, TBI and general stress.

OSOT- America provides certified G.I. Yoga-trained teachers, mats and yoga blocks and straps at classes throughout the state. These classes are free to active military, veterans and their family.

Operation Support Our Troops-America

OSOT-America humbly began at the dining room table of president and founder, Deborah Rickert who wanted to support the troops with needed supplies while serving their country and has grown into a nonprofit charity with a four star rating from Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), top ratings from Great Non-Profits (www.greatnonprofits.org), and has received a Platinum Award from Guidestar (www.guidestar.org).

The mission of OSOT America is to support the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to all involved both while deployed and the soldier’s return. As a volunteer-based non-profit organization, OSOT-America provides the opportunity for community members to express their appreciation and also offer support for our troops. Engaged in the longest war of our country’s history, and with our servicemen and women completing multiple tours of duty, OSOT-America is committed to showing them that “We Have NOT Forgotten.” Volunteer opportunities are available. For more info, visit www.osotamerica.org.

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PN Editor
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