Community Corner
Beverly Boys Blanket Homeless with Love
Boys' blanket drive for the homeless honors the memory of the late CFD Capt. Herbie Johnson who was killed in line of duty last month.
Two boys from Beverly are leading a drive to spread warmth, literally and figuratively, this Christmas season.
Jack and Packy Voves, along with their mom Ann and their dad (a Chicago firefighter), are dedicating their effort in part to honor the memory of their friend
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“This Christmas feels different, so we wanted to do something different,” explained Ann.
The “something different” is Operation Cover Chicago.
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Jack, 11, and Packy, 10, set a goal of collecting 100 blankets for the homeless. They have collected 60 blankets so far and the deadline is this Wednesday, Dec. 19. Blankets can be dropped off at 9952 S. Winchester by 4 p.m. There is a plastic bin available for the blanket donations.
“Homeless people aren’t enjoying Christmas,” said Packy. “So, we can make them warm and they can enjoy Christmas more.”
“Any blanket is OK, but king size is the best because it’s the biggest,” said Jack.
The blankets can be any size, and even gently used, but those must be clean. All blankets should be in sealed plastic bags.
Ann is surprised how their personal project bloomed into a full fledged mission taken to heart by the neighborhood.
They started with a flyer. The information was put in the newsletter distributed at St. Barnabas School, where Jack is in sixth grade and Packy is in fifth. Ann also promoted the drive on Facebook.
Word spread quickly, and people responded.
One neighbor was so impressed with the boys’ efforts he told Ann, “I am so proud of your boys,” and after making his donation he went out and bought them Notre Dame hats.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Ann. “We weren’t looking for anything. We want to give.”
Collecting the blankets is only part of Operation Cover Chicago.
The Voves will head to lower Wacker Drive on Thursday, and Jack and Packy will personally hand out the blankets to the homeless who live there.
“I wanted Jack and Packy to experience getting out of the car and walking over to the homeless. I want them to see that they are human beings, the same as you and I,” Ann said.
Packy chimed in, “They’re people, and you shouldn’t be afraid of them.”
The Voves plan to keep on spreading the same warmth that Herbie Johnson was so well known for. They plan on making this an annual event where they will remember the man Jack and Packy called “Uncle” and took them on a fire run, a rite of initiation for the children of firefighters. They will remember the man who worked alongside their father for 10 years on 51st Street.
