Media Contact:
McHenry County Department of Health
Nick Kubiak, Public Information Officer
McHenry County Department of Health’s annual Operation Dropbox donation drive launching May 1
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH), in partnership with the Lake County Health Department, the Boone County Health Department, and other community organizations, is proud to launch the 7th annual Operation Dropbox donation drive in support of local veterans and their families.
Operation Dropbox is a multi-county initiative running throughout May, with donation sites at participating businesses, churches, libraries, and organizations across McHenry, Lake, and Boone counties. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers in McHenry and Lake counties will collect and deliver donated items, all of which support Veterans Path to Hope, a local nonprofit that provides veterans with housing and employment services, transitional living support, basic needs such as food, furniture, and household goods, peer support, caregiver training, and counseling.
To learn more about Veterans Path to Hope, call
(815) 321-4673 or visit
veteranspathtohope.org.
Additional support for Operation Dropbox is provided by the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission and the McHenry County Division of Transportation, along with partner agencies in Lake and Boone counties.
“Operation Dropbox represents the heart of our mission—community, compassion, and action," said VPH Executive Director Laura Franz. "We’re honored to be part of it and excited to see the impact we can make together this year. Events like Operation Dropbox remind us that our veterans are never alone. We’re excited and grateful to see our community show up in such a meaningful way.”
During the month of May, the following items will be accepted at participating drop site locations:
Please check expiration dates. All items should be in new, unused condition.
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Canned Goods
Progresso and Chunky soups, Chef Boyardee, Hormel chili, Manwich, canned beef stew, sardines, corned/roast beef hash, canned chicken/tuna/Spam, spaghetti sauce, and canned vegetables/fruit.
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Household Items
Cookware (pots, pans, utensils), coffee pots and supplies, manual can openers, household cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, new pillows, paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), plastic silverware, garbage bags (13 gal / 65 gal industrial), and gas cards or Walmart/Target gift cards.
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Pantry Goods
Peanut butter & jelly, ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing, macaroni & cheese, granola bars, applesauce, fruit cups, cereal, instant oatmeal packets, shelf-stable milk, bottled juice (all varieties), pancake mix, flour, sugar, baking supplies, and ramen noodles.
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Personal Items
Shampoo and conditioner, deodorant/personal hygiene items, soap/body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss.
NOTE: We are NOT accepting any decor, clothing, or fabric items, with the exception of new, plastic-wrapped pillows.
For a full list of participating drop site locations, please visit:
For more information on how to become a McHenry County Medical Reserve Corps volunteer, email
Community-Health@mchenrycountyil.gov
or call (815) 334-4500.
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