The Chicago Park District will launch its second annual Operation: Help a Hero on May 29th, 2017, benefiting homeless veterans across Chicagoland. Operation: Help a Hero is an effort to help homeless veterans acquire basic necessities needed to maintain their homes. In the United States it is estimated that there are over 39,000 veterans who are homeless. When veterans are placed in permanent housing, they often lack the basic essentials to help maintain the homes. The Park District is asking Chicagoans to help provide these materials for veterans as a small gesture of thanks for their service and sacrifices. Anyone who would like to donate items can visit aldermen’s offices and parks across the city. This year the Chicago Park District is teaming with the American Red Cross to help collect items from the parks. The collected items will be delivered to the Jesse Brown VA Hospital and distributed to veterans in need. Donations will be accepted starting May 29 and until July 4. Operation: Help a Hero began as a partnership between the Chicago Park District and Military Outreach USA.