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Community Corner

Oak Forest Helps Veterans Live the 'High Life'

Beer distributors, city team up to show appreciation for returning veterans during golf outing.

“Living the High Life never tasted so good” is commonly heard on TV, and veterans will most likely agree as they're hitting the links at in September.

Veterans are invited to a complimentary day of golf and entertainment on Wednesday, Sept. 7 as MillerCoors, Hayes Distributing Company and the City of Oak Forest team up to host the Returning Veterans’ Golf Outing.

Miller High Life commercials have been hitting the airwaves all summer long, promoting “Giving a veteran a piece of the High Life,” and Oak Forest is getting in on the fun.

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For every Miller High Life and High Life Light bottle cap or tab that is sent to Miller High Life, it will donate 10 cents toward High Life experiences for returning vets.

Kevin Werner, Special Events Coordinator for Hayes Beer Distributing in Alsip, wanted to bring that promotion to a more localized level.

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“I wanted to focus more in our area,” said Werner. “Some distributors were bringing veterans to Cubs or Sox games but I wanted to make it a bigger event for more veterans.”

As he mulled over possible events, he thought about the founder of Hayes Beer Distributing, James “Big Jim” Hayes, Sr. who died in 2007.

“He was a veteran of the Korean War and his brother John was a WWII veteran,” Werner said. “Big Jim was an avid golfer and proud veteran so how perfect to have a golf outing for these veterans.”

Funding was the next step. He approached the MillerCoors company and Jim Hayes, Jr. of Hayes Beer and asked what they would be willing to chip in. MillerCoors donated $5,000 from its veteran-focused promotional fund, and Hayes Beer Distributing matched the donation.

Werner then immediately thought of having the event in Oak Forest.

“The Oak Fest is one of our biggest events every year so I asked Joe Koce, coordinator of the Oak Fest, where he finds the veterans for the Hometown Heroes portion of the fest,” said Werner. “The next day Mayor Hank Kuspa called and wanted to know about this event and said t has to be in Oak Forest. 'What can we do?'”

Patriotic bracelets were sold at Oak Fest to raise more money for the golf outing, and Craig Miller of the Oak Forest Veterans’ Commission publicized the event to veterans throughout Illinois.

“We’re hoping to fill up the golf course with 144 veterans,” Miller said.

As the plans began to form, they got bigger—and bigger. A firework show was added to the day along with a lunch, dinner and entertainment by a DJ and Oak Forest High School’s band. Miller hinted that there may even be a patriotic air balloon on the golf course if plans go right.

“This is a way to say thank you to the men and women who have given many sacrifices for our rights, privileges and freedoms we all have today,” Miller said.

Werner agreed with Miller’s sentiments.

“The veterans of our country represent everything we stand for. These are the people we owe our very freedoms to. It all starts with them,” he said. “How proud I am to work with Hayes Beer Distributing, Miller and Oak Forest to provide this day to veterans for this true High Life experience.”

Miller said that they are still looking for sponsors, donations and more veterans to participate. The event was originally only open to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, but few have returned to the area, so event coordinators opened it to all veterans. Veterans can fill out a registration form (included with this article) and send it to Oak Forest City Hall, 15440 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452. Attn: Craig Miller

Businesses can sponsor a hole or a foursome or donate items for a gift basket. Baskets or any donated items can be dropped off at City Hall.

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