Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 19th Ward Alderman Matthew O’Shea announced the Operation Help-A-Hero citywide household item collection drive to assist formerly homeless Veterans moving to permanent housing. Throughout the month of June, residents can donate new, store bought products for a formerly homeless veteran at one of more than 70 designated drop-off locations throughout the City. For formerly homeless individuals to successfully maintain permanent housing, it is critical that they receive support, including some basic items, needed to live independently. Led by Alderman O’Shea and the 19th Ward, and in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, Mayor Emanuel and Aldermen are calling on residents to drop off new personal hygiene, kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning items to their local ward office or one of the 20 park district locations accepting the donations for the first citywide Operation Help-A-Hero. A list of the most commonly requested items can be found at www.cityofchicago.org/helpahero. All donations will be collected by Military Outreach USA, a faith based non-profit organization supporting those who have served in the United States’ armed services. Materials collected will be distributed through the Jesse Brown Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. For more information on Operation Help-A-Hero, visit www.cityofchicago.org/helpahero.