Chicago Park District offers Veterans & Active Military free programs and a benefit resource fair series

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT OFFERS FREE PROGRAMS TO U.S. VETERANS & ACTIVE MILITARY AND A VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR SERIES In the spirit of "serving those who have served" the Chicago Park District offers free programming to all U.S. Veterans and active military personnel, as well as a series of Veterans Resource Fairs that aim to connect military veterans and their families to benefits in areas such as disabilities, education, employment, family and children services, housing, legal and mental health services. "We are honored to support our veterans and active military personnel," said Michael P. Kelly, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, "and encourage them to explore the park district's free programming and offerings for veterans, and to offer suggestions on how we can further assist them and their families." Programs scheduled between November 2013 and April 2014 includes: Tuesdays, Nov. 5 - Dec. 3, 2013  Free Sports Night for Veterans & Active Military at Kosciuszko Park,  2732 N. Avers Ave., 312.745.1958 or 312.745.2062 Five week Tuesday night sports program at Kosciuszko Park Gym beginning Nov. 5 for veterans and active military to play a different pick-up sports game each Tuesday. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. with programs scheduled from 7 - 9 p.m. All games free of charge; veterans should bring a copy of their DD214: -        Veterans Sports Night: Basketball, Tuesday, Nov. 5 -        Veterans Sports Night: Volleyball, Tuesday, Nov. 12 -        Veterans Sports Night: Dodge Ball, Tuesday, Nov. 19 -        Veterans Sports Night: Whiffle Ball, Tuesday, Nov. 26 -        Veterans Sports Night: Floor Hockey, Tuesday, Dec. 3 Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 Free Veterans Resource Fair series: Marquette Park Auditorium,  6700 S. Kedzie Ave., 312.745.1958 The Veterans Resource Fair series aim to connect military veterans and their families to benefits in areas such as disabilities, education, employment, family and children services, housing, legal and mental health services. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214 to the resource fairs. Event also repeats in February and April 2014. -        Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Marquette Park Auditorium, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave., 312.745.1958 -        Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Hamlin Park, 3035 N. Hoyne Ave., 312.745.1958 -        Saturday, April 12, 2014, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave., 312.745.1958 Mondays & Thursdays, starting Jan. 6, 2014 - Feb. 20, 2014 Free Art Classes for Veterans & Active Military at Mount Greenwood Park,  3721 W. 111th St., 312.745.1958 Ten week Monday and Thursday afternoon art classes at Mount Greenwood Park beginning Jan. 6 for veterans and active military to develop and create with charcoal, ink, markers and paint on canvas and paper. Each art class is free of charge, and all materials will be provided for classes. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214. Registration begins Dec. 1. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 Free Archery Classes for Veterans & Active Military at Palmer Park,  201 W. 111th St., 312.745.1958 or 312.745.2062 Thursday evening archery class at Palmer Park for veterans and active military to learn basic archery skills in marksmanship, safety and various shooting styles. All classes take place 6-8pm and are free of charge; all equipment will be provided for this indoor program. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214. Registration begins Dec. 1. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 Free Veterans Resource Fair series: Hamlin Park,  3035 N. Hoyne Ave., 312.745.1958 The Veterans Resource Fair series aims to connect military veterans and their families to benefits in areas such as disabilities, education, employment, family and children services, housing, legal and mental health services. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214 to the resource fairs. The fair takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014 Free Veterans Resource Fair series: Armour Square Park,  3309 S. Shields Ave., 312.745.1958 The Veterans Resource Fair series aims to connect military veterans and their families to benefits in areas such as disabilities, education, employment, family and children services, housing, legal and mental health services. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214 to the resource fairs. The fair takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information about veterans programing and the resource fair series, please contact Modie Lavin of the Chicago Park District at 312.745.1958 or modwene.lavin@chicagoparkdistrict.com For more information on the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-7529.