The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, headquartered in Elk Grove Village, serves all branches of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families. This summer has reflected doing just that: Serving our most deserving.

Georgette Frank, co-founder of The Heart of A Marine Foundation and Gold Star Mom, said, “The Heart Of A Marine Foundation continues to help and serve our military. We may be under the radar, but we are here.

“Our son, Phil, considered all members of the Armed Forces his brothers and sisters in arms. That makes them our children. We are not going away. We continue to make a difference in our veterans’ lives.”

This summer, The Heart Of A Marine Foundation:

• Donated new coats, jackets, outwear and athletic socks to more than 1,000 homeless male veterans in Chicago.

• Took 200 veterans to a White Sox game.

• Donated 15 new sets of sheets and other bedding to a 15-bed veteran homeless shelter in Chicago.

• Donated four new computers/printers/audio equipment and interactive software to aid in the treatment of traumatic brain injury to the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

• Donated more than 350 new jackets and outerwear to military personnel in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

• Along with Elk Grove Village-based organizations, donated clothing, outerwear and personal care items to more than 100 female homeless veterans in Chicago.

This fall, The Heart Of A Marine Foundation will bring new aspects of our veterans lives to the forefront.

The organization will host an art show featuring creations by veteran artists. Barbara Matsukes, executive director of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, said, “Veteran artwork is expressive and emotional. Some of it is military and patriotic, some of it is not, but it’s certain to be meaningful. We are proud to host this exhibit for our vets and our community.”

The show will be presented at Zeigler Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Schaumburg Nov. 10-11.

“The management of Zeigler opened their entire showroom to us for this presentation. It is free and open to the public. The artwork will be for sale, with proceeds going to the veteran artist,” Matsukes said.

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation will also introduce Challenge 22 to our community. Nationally, 22 veterans commit suicide a day. Beginning in late October, over social media and accumulating on Veterans Day at Elk Grove High School, The foundation, as a local military and veteran organization, will raise awareness of this reality.

Roy Frank, co-founder of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation and Gold Star Dad, said, “This suicide rate is unconscionable. Suicide is a complex and multifaceted situation. We need to do better in this area of detection and prevention for our veterans. We owe them every freedom we have. We need to free them from this destructive cycle. Raising awareness is just a beginning.”

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is a registered 501c3 organization dedicated to serving all branches of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. The foundation was established in memory, honor, and spirit of Marine Lance Corporal Phillip Frank, KIA, April 2004.

For information regarding The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, or to see how you can help, visit heartofamarine.org or call (847) 621-7324.

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