Manteno 2019-2020
Our History at the Illinois State Veterans Home-Manteno
In December 2019 the Veterans Voices Military Group Information Officer, Tom Duracka, proposed an idea to support the residents of the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, both by our service and materially. Members of the Executive Committee traveled to Manteno to tour the facility with Volunteer Coordinator Dave Pedersen. During the trip it was determined one of the major needs was to have volunteers available on Thursday afternoon to assist wheel chair bound residents in getting to and from chapel services. Veterans Voices Chaplain Dale Carver suggested the pool of volunteers be expanded from just Veterans Voices to include members of the United Methodist Men’s organization at the host facility of Veterans Voices, Faith United Methodist Church. The idea was presented to and approved by both organizations.
Tom Duracka organized a collection of small packaged snacks and new items of common clothing (socks, sweat pants, etc.) at Faith United Methodist Church. The collection took place on Sunday, Feb 9, 2020, and was a huge success.
A Rewarding Visit to the Illinois Veterans Home Manteno. (January 13, 2020)
The purpose of this visit was to determine what Veterans Voices Military Group might contribute to improve the lives of these heroes . The team was welcomed with grace and courtesy by the volunteer center staff, headed up by David Pedersen and Michelle Shear. The team met several wonderful residents, members of the nursing staff, members of the support staff and the staff chaplain. Many avenues of support were identified that are within the capabilities of Veterans Voices Military Group.
(Below) Officers of Veterans Voices Military Group pause for a photo while touring the Illinois Veterans Home-Manteno. From left: Tom Duracka (Information Officer), Dale Carver (Chaplain), Gary Lang (Co-Director), and Allen DeNormandie (Treasurer).
(Above) The chapel at the Illinois Veterans Home-Manteno. Two things of note: 1) The stained glass window is a military adaptation of a bible verse. In this depiction the bird returning the branch to Noah on the arc is an eagle, and 2) There are no seats or pews in evidence. Attendees arrive primarily in wheel chairs.
(Below) Residents attend the Thursday afternoon protestant service in the chapel. Veterans Voices Military Group and Faith UMC men assisted the veterans in getting to and from the service on 2/13/2020.
(Left) The walls throughout the facility are adorned with art and photos appropriate to honor the persons in residence there. This is one of the more striking works.
Beef and Bingo
Members of Veterans Voices Military Group went to the Manteno Veterans Home on Thursday (1/30/2020) to support “Beef & Bingo Night”. Tom Duracka and Gary Lang made the trip to assist in getting the residents to and from the event. Tom Duracka took these photos, showing Gary Lang (standing/rear) accomplishing the mission (right) and the event in full swing (below).
(Right) The ever elusive Tom Duracka (he is usually taking the pictures, not in them), checks a Bingo card for a resident at “Beef & Bingo” at the Manteno veterans’ home.
Fulfilling the Material Needs of Our Heroes
(Above) Veterans Voices Military Group joined with the congregation of Faith United Methodist Church to collect snacks and clothing items for the residents of the veterans’ home. Both of these boxes (blue tub in the rear) were filled three times on Sunday. Feb 9, 2020.
(Above) Delivering the goods! Veterans Voices Military Group members Tom Duracka and John Stefanik, with David Pedersen (Illinois Veterans Home-Manteno Volunteer Coordinator) as they deliver the goods collected by Veterans Voices and Faith UMC.
In December, members of Veterans Voices Military Group sent a Christmas card to each veteran in residence at the Manteno Veterans Home.
Time for Fun!!!
The restrictions imposed on all of us during the COVID-19 pandemic were especially difficult for the residents at Manteno. Family visits were severely limited and travel outside of the home was not allowed. Take a look at the video (button below) to see how Manteno, with the assistance of Veterans Voices Military Group, made it possible for everyone to have a good time by participating in a unique activity.
Veterans Voices Military Group also delivered name brand sodas and chip snack packs for the residents of the Manteno Veterans Home in October, and yet another project delivered books, DVDs and CDs from the Orland Park Public Library to the in-house library at Manteno.