Yorkville American Legion makes Christmas brighter

YORKVILLE – Christmas will be brighter for veterans residing in Kendall County nursing homes courtesy of Yorkville American Legion Post 489.

Through the Legion’s “Gifts to the Yanks” program, the veterans are receiving a gift.

And that’s just one example of the Legion’s year-round service to the community.

The Yorkville post sponsors youth baseball, local scouting organizations and an academic scholarship program for Yorkville High School students.

All of that takes money and the post is constantly working to raise funds for its endeavors.

That’s why Yorkville Post Commander Anthony Cella was so grateful when he was presented with a check for $5,000 at the Dec. 14 Yorkville City Council meeting.

“We put that money back into the community,” Cella said.

The money was raised in a cooperative effort between the city and the Legion post through the annual Flags of Valor tribute for Veterans Day in Town Square Park.

Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department Director Tim Evans and Superintendent of Recreation Shay Remus made the presentation along with Mayor John Purcell.

The formal city park on North Bridge Street was lined with more than 150 American flags, each sponsored by an individual, family or civic group, in the week leading up to Veterans Day.

The flags were dedicated to Kendall County veterans.

There was a tag from the sponsor with a personal message, dedicated to the memory of a veteran or honoring a living veteran or active-duty service member. Other tags offered a more general salute to all American service members and veterans.

Sponsors donated $30 for each of the flags that provided a stunning patriotic display.

Cella said the Legion is looking at expanding the Flags of Valor program next year to allow for flags to be sponsored in honor of police, firefighters and other first-responders.

“The money goes to support all of the programs that we do,” Cella said.

The Legion provides assistance to Yorkville scouting organizations, including Cub Pack 350, Boy Scout Troop 40, Girl Scout Troop 50 and Venturing Crew 1841, a group of boys and girls aged 13 to 21.

Scholarships of $1,000 are presented each year to four college-bound Yorkville High School seniors.

The Legion recently held a blood drive at the post home at 9054 E. Veterans Parkway, Cella said, as a part of its community efforts.

Cella, now in his second year as commander, said Post 489 has been making improvements to its facility, including a new roof, plumbing and landscaping and parking lot resurfacing.

The post facility is open to the general public, he said.

Cella served in the U.S. Air Force as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1994 to 2000 as part of the Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing, which was then stationed at O’Hare Airport.