Dear NRFV Family and Friends,
As 2017 approaches the mid-year, I wanted to share some highlights to date from Naperville Responds For Veterans.
At the beginning of the year our group of dedicated volunteer board members and officers took up the challenge to reach more Veterans in financial need, and increase our service workload to those Veterans. The initiative to serve more has added to the amount of time, dedication and fundraising required of all our volunteers and supporters.
In January, our organization made a formal connection with the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club. We had the opportunity to join a group of about 50 area Veterans at their bi-weekly gathering in Montgomery. This connection has provided more awareness for the NRFV mission, and many qualified candidates for our service.
The remainder of January and February saw an acceleration in newly qualified Veterans applying for our assistance, an increased work load for our Veterans and Construction Committees, and more creative outreach on the part of our PR Committee.
PR Chairman Pat Bowler has been instrumental in finding new ways to reach Veterans in need by forging connections and speaking before several area civic groups and church congregations.
March provided more Veteran candidates and construction projects. NRFV was once again a participant in the Naperville St. Patrick’s Day parade providing a great opportunity to promote our mission in a very fun setting.
Our annual Strength and Honor Luncheon was held on April 12 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville. We had the opportunity at the Luncheon to thank area Veterans for their service and gather with our community friends and leaders.
We were honored to welcome Herschel Luckinbill, President of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club (among several other titles of distinction for Veteran service), as our featured speaker. Strength and Honor ’17 saw huge increases in Veteran attendance (165) and overall attendance (390) from previous years. This is a testament to our Events Committee and entire Board of Directors for expanding the awareness of the NRFV mission.
NRFV would not be the organization it is today without the unwavering support of our local businesses and community members. May provided one of the most touching donations our organization has ever received. The students at Grande Park Elementary school chose NRFV to be the recipient of the proceeds from their annual second-hand book sale. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at the kids’ all school assembly on their final day, to thank them for helping Veterans and encourage them to continue their spirit of volunteerism.
Once again, the NRFV float was well represented at the Naperville Memorial Day Parade. We took the opportunity to shake the hands of Veterans in the parade audience, and thank them for their service. We are grateful for all our friends and family members who join our march on parade days.
Late May and early June brought our annual “Tournament for Our Champions” fundraiser at White Eagle Golf Club, Cress Creek Country Club and Naperville Country Club.
We were fortunate once again to have the support and sponsorship of Woody Buick GMC at each Country Club. Tournament for Our Champions was another great success and continues to be a vital part of our ability to serve Veterans in need. I am grateful for the generosity of all the members of each Club and for their continued support.
I am also grateful for the service of our active military and Veterans alike.
A special thank you to all our friends and family members for your continued support.
Thank you for allowing a group of passionate volunteers to give back to Veterans in need.
Veterans are a group of passionate volunteers who have given all of us more than we can ever repay.
Thank you,
Dan Jurjovec
President, NRFV
NRFV Executive Committee: Dan Jurjovec – President; Rick Lawrence* – Vice President; Meg Landek – Treasurer; Connie Cowan – Secretary; Jack Persin* – Immediate Past President; Don Dardis* – Veterans Committee Chair; Pat Bowler – Past President & PR Committee Chair; Kelly Connell* – Construction Committee Chair; Brendan McCormick – Fundraising & Events Committee Chair; Debi Prosapio – Volunteer Committee Chair
NRFV Board of Directors: Douglas A. Dallmer*, Rich Cannavino, Warren Dixon III, Jeannie Murphy-Mittal, Christine Riso , Mary Schmieder, Joe McElroy, Kevin Kobe, Matt Ishikawa, Kevin Hill, George Hernandez*
*Indicates a Veteran
Mission – NAPERVILLE RESPONDS FOR VETERANS (NRFV) assists Veterans and their families in need, especially those with low and moderate income, by raising donations of money, building materials, and professional labor, and coordinating the process of repairing, building, and donating homes. Naperville Responds for Our Veterans is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides services to Veterans in need and those in crisis.
Learn more at www.napervilleresponds.org.
Editor’s Note / Naperville Responds for Veterans is among four selected beneficiaries for the 21st Annual Rotary Ride on Sunday, Aug. 13. The community is welcome to enjoy this popular bike ride in the countryside. For information and/or to register for support, visit napervillerotaryride.com. Thank you, NRFV!
