COOK COUNTY, IL – Members of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) have come together to contribute and assemble supplies and safety equipment for the war-torn country of Ukraine.
More than 10,000 items including bulletproof vests and thousands of other things donated by CCSO personnel, have been gathered in this effort, which began April 11. The following is now being packaged for shipment:
- Bulletproof vests
- New clothing including coats, shirts, pants and shoes
- Unused blankets, Dry goods
- Medical supplies and toiletries
- Housewares, batteries and candles
- Canned goods
- Toiletries
- Toys
“In the work we do every day, our fine staff members show that they truly care about everyone in Cook County,” said Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “Now, they have again shown how much they care about the world. Their generous response speaks volumes.”
Collection points for Sheriff’s Office employees were located in all Cook County courthouses in the City of Chicago and suburbs plus posts at the Cook County Jail. Staff also reapportioned surplus items from previous donations to Sheriff’s Office services and programs. Everything collected will be delivered for placement in what is now a steady stream of much-needed shipments to the country.
This isn’t the first time Sheriff’s Office staff members have offered much-needed help to others. They often donate goods, money and time to efforts ranging from natural disaster relief and the Special Olympics to food drives and gifts for children at holiday time. While most of that has been focused on Cook County and Illinois, the needs of those far away are certainly on the minds of many.
“As countries around the globe unite in solidarity and continue to stand with Ukraine, it is only fitting that the people of this agency do whatever they can,” Sheriff Dart added. “I am so impressed by their dedication and couldn’t be prouder of them.”
This collection follows the early-April donation by the Sheriff’s Office of nearly a dozen pallets of surplus goods to the Ukrainian people. They contained pants, shirts, thermals, boots and other clothing.
-30-