Since last summer, the Naperville American Legion Post 43 has been raising funds to heighten awareness for the “22-A-Day Campaign.” Organizers say the campaign has become a staple for Veteran Suicide Awareness in the past couple of years.
Recognizing that Veteran suicide has become too common, Naperville American Legion Post 43 has been raising funds to benefit a local nonprofit that provides support and care for Veterans in need.
“After doing our research, Post 43 decided to raise funds for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton,” said Nadia Baran, Commander of Naperville Post 43. “We also decided to sell the ‘22-A-Day’ Veterans Matter T-shirts to bring awareness to our community.”
Why is awareness the key? By talking about it, the hope is it will not become a stigma.
“Our goal is for Veterans to seek help; to seek advice; or to just reach out for help,” Baran explained. “For me this is a personal journey, and I hope no one ever has to deal with it.”
Their aim is to provide Veterans with a safe space and have them feel like part of a family where they can turn for help.
“In a way, we are each other’s Government-issued brothers and sisters in arms,” Baran continued. “Many times, when Veterans are in need, they forget that. We need to remind them that there are organizations like the American Legion, the VFW, Am Vets and many more. Our purpose is there for Veterans long after we and they have finished our Service Contracts.”
Throughout the summer, t-shirts were sold at Irish Fest, the American Legion, the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, and at Quigley’s Irish Pub in downtown Naperville.
“We are grateful for the support from VFW 3873 for letting us sell shirts at their post and the VFW 3873 Auxiliary for helping us sell shirts,” said Baran. “The American Legion Riders also helped sell shirts and a special thanks to Nancy Quigley for having us on Fridays.”
So far, the generous community has supported their efforts with proceeds of $3,000 to donate to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. This fundraiser is still active as organizers hope to raise more money for this organization.
For more information, contact Baran at rios.nadia@gmail.com.
