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Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli understands first-hand the importance of veterans. As an Air Force man, he served his country and admires the determination and integrity of the men and women who have served our country. The township hosted a Veterans Day event attended by more than 100 people.
“The strength of America has always been its people. We have men and women of all cultures and religions who volunteer to go into service,” said Zuccarelli. “We understand it’s a great responsibility and honor to serve a country that has done so much for us. People even today risk their lives trying to come to America.”

Each veteran who came to the event received a personal pin that was placed on their jacket by Zuccarelli.
Keynote Speaker Commander Marvin Gardner for the Veterans Strike Force organization addressed the Veterans Day audience.

“I’m proud to be among a group of men and women who have shown determination and integrity,” said Gardner. “In the military, they teach you to work together as one team. Even though we live in times that are sometimes divided, we must have that same attitude that we learned in the military of respecting each other, fighting for each other and loving each other. It is the only way we can truly be stronger together.”

This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service, and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” to account for all veterans in all wars.

Chicago, IL – In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli and the Board of Trustees along with Thornton Fractional School District 215 present the Pink Out Football and Volleyball event. The games featured a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign featuring Thornton Fractional North High School, 755 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, IL.

Thornton Fractional North High School will battle the number 1 team in their conference – Lemont High School.

According to Athletic Director Omari Garrett for Thornton Fractional North High School, “Football and volleyball players and coaches will participate by wearing pink paraphernalia like shoes, arm bands and socks. Students who wore pink got into the game free. We definitely want to continue to bring awareness. We had have a moment of reflection prior to the National Anthem for anyone who has loss a love one to breast cancer, know someone who is currently battling it, or survived it.”

Ernst Lamothe Jr, Thornton Township Public and Community Relations Manager said, “This is the second year we are partnering with a school district to bring a Pink Out event to the area. Last year, we worked with several high schools. We are excited to be teaming up with District #215 and TF North.” Lamothe further stated, “We understand that breast cancer is an important issue and we want to keep it in the forefront.”

What is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins on October 1st and ends on October 31st.

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.

The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Make a difference! Spread the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.
If you are a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.
If you are a woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every 2 years. You may also choose to get them more often.

Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.

Living by their motto of People Working With People, Thornton Township employees went down to Houston to deliver supplies to the devastated areas in the 5th ward. Once township officials saw the images of people affected, Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli soon organized an areawide donation campaign throughout September. Volunteer drivers delivered supplies in trucks donated by Blue Island-based W & W Towing. Along with various other organizations and municipalities such as Lansing, Riverdale, Phoenix and South Holland, they provided to provide supplies in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which included water, diapers, baby formula, blankets and hygiene care products. A few years ago, Thornton Township also helped during the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

“With the sheer devastation of the storm, we wanted to do something to help the thousands of people in need,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family. We are asking our Thornton Township residents to donate needed supplies to our four township locations.”

The donation was for Restoration Square Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral in northeast Houston. Inside the cavernous worship hall, co-pastor Tracy Glenn helped sort the necessities onto long tables. Of the 150 or so people in Restoration Square, about 10 percent had lost their homes, Glenn said. For the sixth time in less than a month, she was using her church to hand out supplies.

“It’s definitely appreciated,” said Glenn, co-pastor of the Restoration Square Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral. “The donations and love they brought with them, helping us unload, getting items to the people in the community — we’re grateful.”

Six township employees went on the trip including Thornton Township communication manager Ernst Lamothe Jr. Troy O’Quin, Josh Owen, Marshun Tolbert and Julian Wilson.

“We saw some blocks where the homes were completely devastated,” Lamothe Jr. said. “The water line was halfway up the houses and there was a lot of debris out front. Then two or three blocks over, everything was OK.”

Hurricane Harvey caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas. In a four-day period, many areas received more than 40 inches of rain as the system went over eastern Texas and adjacent waters. Harvey is the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States. The resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes, displaced more than 30,000 people, and prompted more than 13,000 rescues.

With people being skeptical of whether their entire Red Cross Donations are going to the cause or if FEMA is reacting quickly enough, Thornton Township wanted to make sure the money and donations went directly to residents.

“All the money donated by individuals for the hurricane relief went 100 percent to the relief and people appreciate that,” said Lamothe Jr.

Thornton Township celebrated its 13th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month with native music, food and speakers talking about the importance of fostering and educating people about the Latino culture. Entertainers included the Thornton Township Mexican Folklore Dancers, Magician Ken Mate, and the Holy Cross Immaculate Heart of Mary Marimba Ensemble.

“We have to celebrate the many cultures we have in this country. We have to
appreciate the variety of cultures that make our community great. Thornton
Township strives to give our residents a variety of fun and educational programs
throughout the year,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor.

The event took place at the township, 333 E. 162nd St. in South Holland. The honoree was Dr. Richard Rucoba. A World War II veteran in the Marine Corp., he treated the wounded and cared for sick Marines. After the war, Dr. Rucoba studied and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry. But understanding that life is more than just your career, he always believed in volunteering his time. He tutored high school students in math, English and other classes and joined the Lions Club which focuses on helping the visually and hearing impaired. He has been a Lions member for 55 years, where he went on various Eye Glass Missions to Mexico to examine the poor and prescribe glasses without charge. During one of his 15 Eye Glass mission trips, he drove an hour north of Mexico City and examined 6,280 people in one week.

“Richard gives you so much inspiration and good advice about making sure you live a worthwhile and involved life. He is an example to all of us,” said Oscar Canales, who helped coordinate the event.
In addition, because Rucoba believes in staying in shape, he turned his passion of running into the art of dominating the Senior Olympics. He has a wall full of medals and that includes the national games this year where he competed in four events bringing home three gold medals and one silver. He is an incredible man with an incredible story.

“I was amazed at the number of people who wanted to bring about peace and innovation and start to know each other,” said Joyce Washington, Thornton Township trustee.

Thornton Township hosts float in parade

The group’s President Carmela Vargas said, “The parade was a success and we would like to thank Thornton Township for its participation and support.” Mexican Patriotic Club celebrated its 78th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade of South Chicago

Grand Marshal Melissa Perez, Producer at WCIU (The U) Television Station waved to the crowd as they marched down the parade route.

Vargas, President of the organization said, “The parade was well attended and had lots of volunteers.” She also said, “She liked to thank State Senator Donne Trotter (IL 17th Senatorial District), State Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr. (IL 33rd Representative District), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL 2nd Congressional District), and several aldermen for their support.” According to Vargas, State Senator Trotter handed out candy to the children along the parade route.

Vargas further stated, “The parade exceeded her expectation and she is looking forward to next year’s parade.”
The parade was on Sunday, September 10, 2017, some of the outstanding members of the Mexican Patriotic Club are honorary members Martin R. Castro, former U. S. Commission on Civil Rights; John Garcia WLS-TV; Stacy Baca WLS-TV; Judge David Cerda; Emma Lozano; Laura Cruz; Dr. Juan Andrade; and former Chicago Police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15th through October 15th of each year recognizing the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States by celebrating their heritage and culture. This is the anniversary of independence for 5 countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16th, Chile’s Independence Day is September 18th. October 12th is “El Dia de la Raza” or “The Day of the Race” a day celebrating the many nationalities present in the history of Mexico, Central America, and South America including Native Americans such as the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas; and European nationalities such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Hurricane Harvey caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas. In a four-day period, many areas received more than 40 inches of rain as the system went over eastern Texas and adjacent waters. Harvey is the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States. The resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes, displaced more than 30,000 people, and prompted more than 13,000 rescues.
Thornton Township is working with various other organizations to provide supplies in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. There are five drop off locations for these items.

* Water
* Diapers
* Baby Formula
* Blankets
* Hygiene Care Products

The 16th annual Taste of Thornton Township featured more than 1,200 people enjoying one of the last summer festivals of the year. The event, which took place at the township headquarters at 333 E. 162nd St. in South Holland, had a variety of food vendors serving ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, catfish, tacos, Chinese, pizza, corn, jerk chicken and more. There were also a large selection of craft vendors. The community was treated to free Back to School haircuts, bookbags w/school supplies, games and carnival rides, Bingo a classic car show and the first annual Taste of Thornton Township Basketball tournament, where teens and police officers played on the same team for the pride of their town. There was also a princess and superhero breakfast but young kids. The afternoon featured a wide selection of entertainment including Thornton Township Mexican Youth Folkloric Dancers, Line Dancing, Steppers, Chicago Boyz Acrobats, Visions of Santana, Rico – Michael Jackson Impersonator, Past Life and the header liner- The Dramatics

“At Thornton Township, we want to offer our residents the best. It was just a great day of family fun and fellowship,” said Jerry Jones, Thornton Township Board of Trustee member. “We value our community and we enjoy giving back in every way we can.”

Teenagers from seven different communities within Thornton Township teamed together with police officers in the first annual Taste of Thornton Township Basketball Tournament as a show of community unity. The tournament featured teenagers and police officers playing on the same team for the pride of their town or village and focusing on working with each other. Typically, communities have police officers and kids playing against each other in a basketball tournament; however, Thornton Township officials, decided the alternative made more sense.

“The way you make a community stronger is working together, loving each other, and knowing each other,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor. “We shouldn’t have kids and police officers on opposite teams. We should have them side by side helping lift each other up. This is something we are going to do every year, and it is going to be bigger and better.”

A three-time Township Supervisor of the Year award winner, the program is an extension of the Faith, Dignity and Respect Initiative bringing together elected officials, law enforcement and community leaders to develop proactive ways to stem the shocking amount of gun violence and community unrest that swept the nation in places like Ferguson, Baltimore, New York and Chicago.

The five-on-five basketball tournament, which was held at South Suburban College, is an example of many Thornton Township’s programs that focus on police officers and teenagers learning more about each other. The village of Lansing police department and teens won the tournament.

“You could immediately see that the basketball tournament really brought the officers and teenagers together. They huddled with each other, and encouraged and supported one another throughout the day,” said Ernst Lamothe Jr., Thornton Township communication manager, who organized the event. “We saw police officers putting their arms around teenagers and just sitting down and having good conversations, laughing together and having a great time.”
In the wake of what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, and a nation being divided, Thornton Township and local officials wanted a unifying event.

“It was a great event to see all of us just having fun and bonding,” said Officer Mack Sanders, Markham police chief, who took part in the program. “This is something that we definitely want to continue to be part of next year.”
Maureen Grady-Pervoich, village of Lansing board member, attended the entire tournament and believed it was something that needs to happen among various communities.

“I am so proud that I live win Thornton Township in a place that would put on an event like this,” said Pervoich. “I don’t know many government organizations who are doing this kind of large scale events and community outreach.”

At Thornton Township, we realize that our residents must do more with less to provide for their families. In order to help our citizens out, we provided free summer boxes at our Days in the Park event. Families received various food, snacks and beverages that provided a little relief during the summer. It is part of our initiative to continue helping our residents in the southland and Thornton Township in every way we can.