By Karen Haave

Adopt A Soldier’s sixth annual PTSD fundraiser will take place in a new location, but the goal remains the same: helping veterans overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The event this year will be on April 26 from noon to 7 p.m. at VFW Post 2801, 39 E. St. Charles Road in Villa Park. It will feature a Split-the-Pot, live music, and raffles. Among the items to be raffled are a Jonathan Toews 2019 Winter Classic Jersey, size XL, and a downtown Louisville penthouse weekend getaway.

Mission BBQ will be there serving food, and at least four bands will provide music for listening and dancing. Food is $10 a plate.

The music line-up includes Rosie and the Rivets, the Larvettes, Full Volume and The Wild.

All funds raised will benefit Adopt A Soldier.

“The fundraiser coming up in April will mark the event’s sixth year raising funds for Adopt a Soldier (AAS),” said event organizer Sue Wackerlin.

“In 2021, one of the ladies who had participated in the Ruck March almost every year, Tammy Hendrickson, reached out to me. She and Brittany Boyer, the sister of Ryan Boyer — our first casualty of PTSD for AAS — wanted to hold an event to bring awareness to the silent battle that steals away our veterans and active-duty military members each day: PTSD.

“The first five years, ’22 for 22′ events were held in Lombard at a wonderful facility, Sebastian Ale House. The manager, Johanna, joined the ladies and helped host the event for the next three years very successfully. It became so successful that a larger venue was needed.

“The decision was made to move the event to Villa Park VFW Post 2801, which provides more space while also helping showcase and support the VFW.

“Over the past five years, this event has raised $18,241.50 toward our missions to help end this epidemic that is currently taking the lives of 35 veterans and active-duty military members each day.

“22 for 22 – 2026” will be held on April 26 from noon to 7 p.m. at Villa Park VFW Post 2801.

“We are thrilled to have Mission BBQ joining us this year to provide food, along with four bands performing throughout the event. There will also be wonderful raffle items.

“During the event, we will honor those we have lost to PTSD by sharing their individual stories — because they are more than a number. Together, we will proudly say their names.

“Our goal is more than awareness; it is about education and inviting the community to stand with us in the battle against the silent enemy: PTSD.”

Statistics show that 70 percent of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and one in 13 people, and 20 percent of those will develop PTSD. The prevalence of PTSD in the United States is equal to the total population of Texas.

Adopt A Soldier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to funding veterans issues. Since its founding 15 years ago by Wackerlin, it has assisted area soldiers with housing, transportation, emergency trips home, replacement of items stolen while the soldier was on deployment, and more.

More information about AAS and its services is available at P.O. Box 823, Peotone, IL, by calling (708) 825-6751, or visiting [email protected] or adoptasoldier.org.

Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.