(Chicago, Illinois) – This morning on WLS-AM 890’s “Don Wade & Roma Morning Show” Jill Winling, wife of SFC Christopher Winling, learned live on the air that her family was the winner of the “Warm Welcome Home” contest sponsored by WLS, Galaxie Home Remodeling and Operation Homefront-Illinois. (Listen to the interview here.)
“We are proud to participate in the ‘Warm Welcome Home’ contest in support of Illinois’ military families and we’re thankful to enjoy the generosity of good corporate citizens and WLS partners like Galaxie Home Remodeling,” said Michael Damsky, President & General Manager of WLS-AM/FM.
SFC Winling is currently serving in Afghanistan, his third deployment. In a previous deployment to Iraq, SFC Winling was injured when the vehicle hit an IED. He awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his service. There are plans for SFC Winling to deploy again in 2013 after he returns home from Afghanistan later this year. The Winlings live in Lake Villa and are the proud parents of 3-year old twins (one boy, one girl).
“It was a very difficult decision as there were so many deserving Illinois military families,” said Dan Proft, Chapter President of Operation Homefront-Illinois. “But we’re very proud to be able to help the Winling family. This contest was the product of a wonderful partnership with WLS and Galaxie Home Remodeling. We are very thankful for the generosity of both organizations in support of Illinois military families.”
Proft also thanked other corporate partners including Best Buy, Habitat Corporate Suites, and Collaborate Design Studio.
To track the progress of the Winling home remodeling, check in at www.operationhomefront.net/illinois for updates and photos.
Proft mentioned on the “Don Wade & Roma Morning Show” that Operation Homefront-Illinois will look to help other Illinois military families that entered the contest. “The contest will not only help the Winling family, it has provided Operation Homefront-Illinois with leads to additional military families in need and we look forward to assisting those families where we are able consistent with our service mission.”
Operation Homefront-Illinois is a 501c-3 that provides emergency financial assistance to active duty military families in Illinois and wounded warriors who have returned home from service. Operation Homefront-Illinois is rated as a “Four Star Charity” by Charity Navigator. Operation Homefront-Illinois is proud to note that $.90 of every dollar raised goes for direct support of programming and assistance for Illinois military families.