Businesses present generous donations to Operation Honor Guard
Update at 4 p.m.
Sav-Mor Pharmacy’s Pat Karnes and Neva Thode presented a $5,000 check to go toward Operation Honor Guard.
The pharmacy is a longtime sponsor of the organization given its close connection with many veterans in the community.
“My dad was a vet in the Navy. He was in the Korean conflict, so it’s very close to me, too,” Thode said.
Operation Honor Guard Founder Rich Darby praised Sav-More Owner David Falk for his continuous commitment to veterans in the Central Illinois community and beyond.
“We love Sav-More, we love Dave Falk, and we know we can count on him,” Darby said.
Update at 10 a.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Eric Jordan with Lanz Heating and Cooling presented a $5,000 donation to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard.
“Just being a part of this organization that gives back to those that have given so much is really an honor,” Jordan said.
Last year, someone reached out to the businesses as being a sponsor of the show. Her son was a veteran, and she lost his flag somewhere over the course of a couple of moves. Through a collaborative help with Darby and an Honor Guard member, they were able to present a new flag to her.
“It was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced in-person, to watch these guys that have already given so much give again, it meant the world to that lady that day.”
Update at 9:30 a.m.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Jim Hampton with Tatman’s Towing — a longtime sponsor for Operation Honor Guard — presents a $5,000 check to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard.
“We look forward to this every year,” Hampton said. “This is a great opportunity to be able to help our veterans and those who are there for the ones who have fallen. To make them look good and to honor our veterans, another way for us to respect them.”
Hampton added that since he has never served in the military, this is just another way that he can thank those who have served.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Alex Huber with the Richard Group LLC presented a $5,000 check donation to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard.
Richard Group LLC is a veteran-owned small business, predominantly providing many upgrades to veteran affairs hospitals, as well as doing work at the National Cemetery.
WATCH: Operation Honor Guard 2024
The business is based out of Chicago and made the trip down to Central Illinois for the donation.
“We just outfitted four more honor guard members right here…” Darby said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
