GIVING COUSINS

The philanthropy baton is in good hands with siblings Charlie and John Fleming. Their cousins James and Katie Gildersleeve of Lake Forest handed it to them earlier this year. “Our cousins built an amazing foundation, and we are excited to continue the mission while add- ing new ideas and our personal touch to connect local families with solders overseas,” Charlie Fleming, a Barrington High School freshman, says of co-chairing the nonprofit “Treats for Troops” with her brother John, a seventh-grader at Station Middle School in Barrington.

The Gildersleeves started it six years ago. James is a senior at the University of Georgia; Katie is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We’re carrying on a legacy of support for our deployed troops,” Charlie continues. “We believe in the power of personal connection, especially during those holidays when being away from loved ones must be the toughest time of the year for them. “We believe ‘Treats for Troops’ has the potential to inspire others to get involved and show their love and support for our military heroes.”

The “Treats for Troops” transition from the Gildersleeves to the Flemings began in New Jersey this past summer, when Charlie and John discussed it in a living room with their aunt Catherine. The eager rookies’ first event, held at the Starbucks in Highwood on November 3, was a smash hit. The grandchildren of men who served in the U.S. Army, Charlie and John Fleming assembled 2,500 care packages—each containing a sweet treat, a pair of Bombas socks (donated by Bombas), and handwritten messages on cards—in about two hours amid coffee drinkers on a Sunday morning. The Fleming sibs combined to pen heartfelt messages on approx- imately 100 cards. The packages wound up in the hands of smiling Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines personnel all over the world.

“We couldn’t believe how many Starbucks patrons took the time to write thank you notes to troops,” Charlie, still stunned and grate- ful, says nearly a month later. “One of them wrote, ‘Thank you for risking your life so we can have a safe life.’” “I saw customers draw wreaths on cards,” John says. “I saw a smiley face on another card. One thanked a soldier for protecting his city. A small thing like a card can make a big impact on those who receive them.”

The ever-popular Mikey Baird, a barista at the Highwood Star- bucks near Fort Sheridan and an annual threat to win the “Friend- liest Human in Western Civilization” accolade, helped the Flemings from there, serving as a point man for “Treats for Troops” after the event. Baird’s military contacts handled the shipping end of the sweet philanthropic enterprise.

But the Gildersleeves’ successors didn’t roll their sleeves down after putting a bow on the Highwood event. They had more work and brainstorming to do. They happily looked forward to carving out more time in their busy days to organize similar events ahead of Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

“We want to show troops that we’re thinking about them year-round, not just during the holidays,” Charlie says, adding she and her brother would deploy a “Treats for Troops” spin-off—“A Colorful Christmas”—at various spaces in schools on three dates in December, collecting donated coloring books and crayons for children of military personnel stationed abroad.

Charlie Fleming was born on Christmas Day. Some of her most meaningful birthday cards have come from John. But you’ll never find any of them in a store.

“My brother is such a great artist,” Charlie says. “He makes birth- day cards for me; they’re the greatest gifts because they’re always thoughtful and creative. John knows what I like and spends a lot of time drawing those things on cards.

“I always look forward to receiving John’s cards on my birthday.” Charlie plays softball (pitcher/first base) and volleyball, volunteers for Barrington Area Council On Aging (BACOA) and serves as a small group leader for youngsters at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. John plays baseball (pitcher/catcher/ third base) and basketball (power forward) and already appears to believe that giving back off the fields of play beats hitting a walk-off homer or draining a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer. ‘

“Our parents are brilliant and passionate about life,” Charlie says of Mike and Jennifer Fleming, who are also parents of 8-year-old son Sam, a second-grader. “Mom and Dad are born leaders. Mom is active at church, and Dad, through his work, is introducing some amazing learning tools to colleges all over the country.”

Neighbors of the Flemings needed to have their trees pruned one day but were unable to do so. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming gladly took care of the removal and asked for exactly nothing in return. Charlie and John witnessed the good deed. “Our parents,” John says, “do things for others all the time.” “Both say, ‘Putting time into doing something for others is much more important and meaningful than giving money.”

To donate to “Treats for Troops” or inquire about the nonprofit’s upcom- ing events, email [email protected].