Lake County Gazette

Lake County has announced the launch of Operation Dropbox, a donation drive running through May to support local veterans in partnership with community organizations.

According to a press release, Operation Dropbox is a county-wide initiative held for the first time in Lake County and the sixth time in McHenry County. The drive aims to collect essential items such as canned soups, sardines, canned meats, shelf-stable milk, condiments, household cleaners, personal hygiene products, paper goods, cookware, granola bars, peanut butter, Walmart gift cards, and gas cards. Donations will be accepted at designated drop sites across Lake County including businesses, churches, and organizations. These donations will be delivered by Medical Reserve Corps volunteers to Veterans Path to Hope.

The initiative is organized by the Lake County Health Department in collaboration with Lake County Veterans and Family Services, Veterans Path to Hope, the Lake County Division of Transportation, and the McHenry County Health Department. It aims to assist veterans in need by providing housing and employment assistance, peer support activities, caregiver training, transitional living resources, and essential household items. Volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps will facilitate collection efforts to ensure donations reach Veterans Path to Hope for distribution.

"We are excited to have 40 locations all across Lake County that will be available to accept donations throughout the month of May," said Emergency Management Coordinator Patti Corn. "Thanks to the collaboration with the community and our partners at the McHenry County Health Department, we are hopeful that it will be a great success."

According to Lake County officials, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center implement public health initiatives through three core functions: assessment involves monitoring community health and identifying health hazards through data collection and disease surveillance; policy development focuses on educating the public, mobilizing community partnerships; assurance includes enforcing health laws ensuring access to essential health services.