The Village of Brookfield is adopting the U.S. Army’s 447th Military Police Company as a way to honor one of their own.
Brookfield police officer Rafael Alvarado was called to active duty with the military police company in July.
On Nov. 23, Brookfield will honor Alvarado with a flag presentation and will be adopting his unit as part of the America Supporting Americans Adopt-a-Unit program. The program is a way for civilians to directly connect with those in the armed forces. Civilians collect donations and send care packages and letters to those overseas.
Some items requested for care packages are non-perishable food items such as nuts, sunflower seeds, cans of fruit, beef jerky, granola bars, Oreo cookies, hard candy, caffienated gum, books, magazines and hygiene items, like toothpaste, soap and deodorant. A full list can be found on the village Web site, brookfield.il.gov.
There are two drop-off boxes located in the Police and Recreation departments at Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
Monetary donations also are accepted. It costs $12.50 to send each care package overseas. Those interested in donating money can write checks to the Village of Brookfield Adopt A Unit program and drop them off at the Village Hall.
Brookfield is one of only two Illinois communities participating in the Adopt-a-Unit program. The other community is in Rock Island.
For more information, call Brookfield’s program coordinator, Michelle Robbins, at (708) 485-1360.
