Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn saluted southern Illinois residents Kathy Williams and daughter Amy Oxford—whose husband is an Army reservist—for their mission to send thousands of holiday care packages to soldiers overseas fighting against terrorism.

On Thursday, December 4, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn saluted Harrisburg residents

Kathy Williams and daughter Amy Oxford—whose husband is an Army reservist—for their mission to send hundreds of holiday care packages to soldiers overseas in what they call the "Southern Illinois Yellow Ribbon Campaign."

"We salute patriots such as the enterprising mother-daughter team of Kathy Williams and Amy Oxford who showed their appreciation for the troops overseas by sending holiday care packages from home," said Quinn.  "Kathy and Amy are helping our soldiers as they fight their own personal battles against multiple sclerosis and lupus."

Quinn was joined be Army reservist Jamal Oxford, husband of Amy Oxford, and several southern Illinois military families whom Williams and Oxford have helped.

The "Southern Illinois Yellow Ribbon Campaign" first started when Oxford's husband was called to active duty earlier this year.  Although Jamal Oxford never went overseas due to medical problems, the mother-daughter team still wanted to support the troops by sending care packages filled with necessary items such as food, prepaid phone cards, magazines, and toys.

The "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" website, www.siyellowribbon.com, has now been added to Quinn's website, www.OperationHomefront.org, that has garnered more than 2.4 million hits and is one of the best and most informative military websites regarding American troops in the country.  

"We are proud to be a part of the "Operation Homefront" family and congratulate Lt. Gov. Quinn for his efforts in helping the men and women of the Illinois armed forces," said Williams.

Operation Homefront has already helped more than 1,300 Illinois military families and has raised more than $75,000 by inspiring grassroots fundraisers throughout the state such as the bake sale fundraiser at Gurrie Middle School in LaGrange and the Lexington Vacation Bible Students who raised money for the fund by collecting student offerings.

"We appeal to all Illinois businesses, community groups, residents and students to lend a hand to the families of Illinois' citizen soldiers."

            Along with the website, Quinn has also established a toll-free hotline to directly assist military families and to inform the public of ways to help.  Call toll-free at 1-866-417-8889 or visit www.OperationHomeFront.org. Donations may be sent to the "Illinois Military Family Relief Fund", P.O. Box 8889, Springfield, IL 62791.