Illinois Wing Covid Mission Update

Since April 30th, our volunteer members have provided continuous support for the Wing's COVID Response mission as a state-wide part of a larger national response. Illinois Wing efforts focus primarily on helping several food banks across northern Illinois, where members volunteered thousands of hours to provide tens of thousands of meals. While not Civil Air Patrol's typical mission, supporting local food banks captures CAP's mission statement of supporting America's communities as members work hard to help feed those in need.

 

"Over the past several weeks, Illinois Wing has served our local communities extensively by helping staff food banks in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. Our Cadet and adult members have volunteered hundreds of hours and have helped deliver thousands of meals to families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our professionally trained volunteers stand ready to continue providing community support and taking on other types of missions. Civil Air Patrol's Illinois Wing is proud to partner with the United States Air Force in serving our community, state, and nation."
  

-Col Robert M. Dempsey, Jr. , CAP, IL Wing Commander

 

During just one example of the food bank mission back in May, Cadet 1st Lt. Abigail Turek was one of six Civil Air Patrol volunteers who distributed donated groceries to approximately 250 families. Supporting the 4 K.I.D.S. Sake Food Pantry and Enrichment Center in Bolingbrook, Civil Air Patrol volunteers directed vehicles to the pick-up line and loaded groceries for the drivers.
 

 

MSgt Frank D'Angelo (CAP), was there that day and noted, "this is an ongoing effort as demand for donated groceries by families in need has increased greatly due to the Coronavirus pandemic." The Bolingbrook-based 4 K.I.D.S. Sake is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded by Theresa Grzenia, who said, "We support the hardest hit people in our community. We are open for distribution on Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm as well as Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm."
 

 

 

Illinois Wing continues to support the following food banks:

For members looking to help with the continuing mission at any of the five locations the wing supports, look for signup information in your email. Anyone interested in joining the Civil Air Patrol to help with this and our other missions, please visit https://ilwg.cap.gov/join to find more information and a squadron near you.

 

 

Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and 1,550 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP's 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Operating as a non-profit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to 28,000 young people participating in CAP's Cadet Programs. Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.
 

 

MSgt Frank D’Angelo, CAP
Illinois Wing Command NCO

Email:  fdangelo@ilwg.cap.gov

Tel.: 217-898-3636

 

Theresa Grzenia
 

Founder, 4 K.I.D.S. Sake

Email:  4kidssakeorg@gmail.com

Tel.: 630-945-1317

 

Capt. H. Michael Miley, CAP
 

Illinois Wing Assistant Public Affairs Officer

Email: mmiley@ilwg.cap.gov

Tel.: 630-894-3062