Governor Rauner and the USO of Illinois Encourage Citizens of the State to Remember Those U.S. Military Members Still Serving Throughout the World

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner today announced this year's Holiday Card Drive for the Military will be done in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois.

"With Veterans Day this week and the holidays fast approaching, it is important that we remember those men and women still serving in harm's way," Governor Rauner said. "A small token of appreciation, a holiday card, does so much to lift the spirits of service members serving far away from home over the holidays. I encourage our citizens, from schoolchildren to retirees, to send their thoughts of gratitude to our service men and women."

Governor Rauner said Illinois citizens should send holiday cards for U.S. service members to the USO of Illinois as early as possible and thanked the USO of Illinois for helping to distribute the holiday cards to troops and for all the USO does to lift the morale and increase the well-being of our military members throughout the year.

Holiday cards will be accepted through mail delivery only from now through November 30th at the following address:

USO of Illinois

333 S. Wabash Ave., 16th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

"We are thrilled to partner with Governor Rauner and the State of Illinois to help bring messages of cheer and good will to our troops and their families, whether they reside in Illinois, are passing through or are stationed or deployed overseas," said Alison Ruble, the President and CEO of the USO of Illinois. "Our Illinois community wants to show our troops and their families that they are remembered over the holidays, and throughout the year, but may not know where to connect their support.  The USO of Illinois is proud to be that bridge to our military community."

Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, thanked the USO of Illinois for their support of his Soldiers and Airmen.

"Whenever we send troops overseas or we bring them home, the USO of Illinois is there. They are at our Family Days, our celebrations, our training events, our reintegration events...any time our service members need support, a USO volunteer is there with a cup of hot coffee and a smile," Maj. Gen. Hayes said.

With service members serving throughout the world, including many remote locations, and the additional holiday mail, it is important to send holiday cards and gifts to service members as early as possible to ensure they arrive before the holidays.

The United States Postal Service recommends the following holiday mail deadlines for service members serving overseas:

Standard Post - as soon as possible (deadline was Nov. 7)

Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 25

Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 3

Priority Mail: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3

First-class letters and cards: Dec. 10, (except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec.3)

Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 17. This service is not available to AE ZIP 093; check with your local post office to find out if it's available to another specific APO/FPO/DPO address.

ABOUT USO OF ILLINOIS

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m.

Grassley said his goal with the hearing is to help committee members and the public identify and gain a better understanding of the root cause of Puerto Rico's fiscal problems, discuss what's currently being done, and consider what options are available that could help Puerto Rico get itself out of the present situation.

The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over bankruptcy policy, but Grassley has reiterated that restructuring debt and throwing taxpayer money at the island, without ensuring the creation and implementation of structural and fiscal reform, fails to resolve the underlying problems in Puerto Rico required to create economic growth.

Witnesses for the hearing will be announced at a later date.

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Local Store Volunteers to Transform Veteran's Home as Part of Company's Fifth Annual Celebration of Service Campaign to Help Veterans Nationwide

WHAT: On Friday, Nov. 13, local Home Depot associates will partner with Rebuilding Together Quad Cities to improve the safety and accessibility for a Milan-area veteran home to help restore his independence. This local volunteer project is part of the company's fifth annual Celebration of Service campaign, a nationwide effort led by Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force.  Since Sept. 11t, Team Depot volunteers have completed projects for veterans in every community The Home Depot serves, with a focus on senior veterans who need modifications to their homes to safely age in place and veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Local volunteers will help improve accessibility for Phillip Carman, a disabled Vietnam veteran who lives alone with help from his caretaker and family. At 86 years old, he finds it difficult to leave his home without access to a wheelchair ramp. The upgrades that Team Depot will make will allow Carman to enjoy the outdoors again and leave quickly in the event of an emergency.

Volunteer projects throughout the day will include :

•           Install a wheelchair ramp

•           Repair accessible entry on side of home

WHO: Spokespeople available for interviews include :

•           Teri Sutherland, daughter of veteran recipient

•           Jason Paskvan, The Home Depot

•           Lisa Lockhart, Rebuilding Together Quad Cities

WHERE: 314 W 29th

Milan, IL 61264

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Jason Paskvan: Pakman72@me.com or 563-449-6553

About Giving Back at The Home Depot

Since the first The Home Depot store opened in 1979, giving back has been a core value for the Company and a passion for its associates. Today, The Home Depot, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, focuses its philanthropic efforts on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families and aiding communities affected by natural disasters. Through Team Depot, the Company's associate-led volunteer force, thousands of associates dedicate their time and talents to these efforts in the communities where they live and work.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $105 million to provide safe housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 22,000 homes for veterans. To learn more and see Team Depot in action, visit www.homedepot.com/teamdepot.

About Rebuilding Together Quad Cities

As an affiliate of a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization, Rebuilding Together Quad Cities works with volunteers to rebuild homes, communities, and lives. The organization provides emergency and needed home repairs for elderly, disabled, and low income homeowners at no cost to the home owner. More recently, they began an initiative to support the nation's disabled veterans and improve the safety and accessibility of their homes. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org

"Managing Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome and Northern Corn Leaf Blight in 2016," by Daren Mueller, Iowa State University Extension Plant Pathologist, is one of the presentations featured at the November 24 Agricultural Chemical Dealer Update in Iowa City, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Other topics include herbicide resistance, corn rootworm management, and new sprayer technology.  While the target audience is individuals who provide advice to farmers, it is open to the public.

Continuing Education Units will be available for Certified Crop Advisors and 2015 Continuing Instruction Course credit will be available to agricultural Commercial Pesticide Applicators.

Contact your local Iowa State University County Extension for more information.

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