From the McHenry County Health Department:
McHenry County Department of Health shares results of 7th Annual Operation Dropbox donation drive
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is pleased to announce the results of the 7th Annual Operation Dropbox donation drive. This year’s effort continued to grow, with strong participation from organizations and volunteers across McHenry, Lake, and Boone counties, all working to support local veterans and their families.
In McHenry County, 110 organizations served as drop-off locations, collecting 9,382 pounds of donations, along with $420 in gift cards and $125 in cash donations, for Veterans Path to Hope, the Crystal Lake-based nonprofit providing housing assistance, employment support, peer groups, transitional living, caregiver training, and counseling services.
Lake County collected 6,864 pounds of donations and $1,020 in gift cards across 65 participating locations, further strengthening regional support for veterans through Veterans Path to Hope of Lake County.
Together, McHenry and Lake counties collected 16,246 pounds of donations from 175 participating locations, marking the highest combined totals the program has achieved. While the McHenry County Department of Health and the Lake County Health Department served as the program’s hosts, donation drop sites were located throughout McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Cook counties. Now in its seventh year, Operation Dropbox continues to highlight the strength of regional partnerships, the dedication of volunteers, and the commitment of schools, businesses, churches, libraries, nonprofits, and local governments across northern Illinois.
“This partnership, made possible by the efforts of all and the very generous donations from our community, demonstrates the high level of regard and support that exists for those who have served and their families,” said Laura Franz, Executive Director of Veterans Path to Hope. “Each year, we are amazed and humbled by this support. VPH offers an array of services to help veterans overcome barriers, and overcoming hunger is a primary need that, once addressed, helps pave the way for the rest. We are immensely grateful!”
On Tuesday, June 9, MCDH conducted its annual state‑mandated emergency preparedness exercise at the McHenry County Division of Transportation. Volunteers from the McHenry County Medical Reserve Corps, MCDH staff, and Veterans Path to Hope used collected donations to simulate the unloading and distribution of medical countermeasures during a public health emergency. Lake County conducted its exercise the following day, on Wednesday, June 10, further enhancing emergency response capabilities across the region. Boone County is completing its emergency preparedness exercise this week.
Operation Dropbox is also expanding into DuPage County for the first time. DuPage County recently announced its participation and is seeking organizations to serve as drop-off locations. Their donation drive, beginning in July, will support Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans and its Freedom Commissary in downtown Wheaton. DuPage County’s corresponding emergency preparedness exercise will take place in August with participation from staff and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. The deadline for organizations to register as DuPage County drop‑off sites is Friday, June 26.
For more information about Veterans Path to Hope, call (815) 321‑4673 or visit veteranspathtohope.org.
For questions about Operation Dropbox or volunteering with the McHenry County Medical Reserve Corps, email Community-Health@mchenrycountyil.gov or call (815) 334‑4500.
