Jimmy Drew is a Vietnam Veteran that has been well known all throughout waukegan. Most known downtown, for sweeping the sidewalks and storefronts, keeping businesses clean to stay busy. The city even wrote an article about his dedication! Never begging for money or asking for help. He kept strictly to himself. With having just a few trusted people Jimmy grew comfort with, he was often a chatter box, with endless signature phrases. Jimmy grew a notorious repution for his honesty and gentleness. Jimmy has only one sister, Carlene. Their parents passed many years ago. His sister Carlene was married with one daughter. Who passed years ago as well, as her late husband. Leaving just Jimmy and Carlene left in the family. Jimmy never married or had children. My family kept Jimmy housed in a rental unit for over 15 years before he could not longer live alone. He has since been residing at a local nursing home where he has maintained good health and become a staff favorite. Jimmy's only sister Carlene whom was very special to him has just passed. We were able to get her transferred to the same facility as Jimmy, where she began hospice. It was very important to have them together in Carlene’s final hours. Carlene passed quickly after arriving and Jimmy lost his big sister. His last remaining family member. Bringing the siblings together was half the challenge and worth it. Hand in hand at her beside he was there for his sister. The remains of Carlene belong back to Jimmy. To have the opportunity to place her over their parents grave or her daughter's grave. Or simply to keep her close. I've known Jimmy and his family since I was a little girl. I watched my dad help a veteran out of his own will for decades. Anyone that met him or knew him would say how gentle he is. I've watched a veteran struggle with little to no resources. Jimmy's sister deserves to have a beautiful ending in the hands of her last remaining family. Please help with any amount to keep this family together. We are need to cover the cost of her cremation and return of her ashes.

Anything over the cost of her cremation will go directly to Jimmy for cloths like new socks, or snacks of his choice!!!

Note from a friend:

JR is a special person, always positive, kind, and helpful. Never took any thing that wasn't his. When he found change in the parking lot of McDonald’s he would turn it in to the employees or put it in the donation box. He didn’t even sign up for Social Security till his sister became his power of attorney. That was after he was 68 years old. He would’ve been a eligible for disability from Vietnam didn’t get that and didn’t even pursue it.