Francesca Canon knows she might not even be here were it not for veterans like her grandfather, so she’s always wanted to help him and his comrades.
When this Evergreen Park High School junior heard her grandmother was starting an auxiliary for the A.G. Tricentennial Chapter 84 Disabled American Veterans in Midlothian and needed junior members, she wanted in.
Richard Jaworowski, 2nd vice commander at that Disabled American Veterans chapter, who is her grandfather, served in Germany during the Vietnam War. He broke both his feet during training.
“If they hadn’t served for the country, I wouldn’t be here,” Canon said. “I just want to give back to them.”
For the past three years, she has served pizza to veterans; helped raise money for Chapter 84 activities, homeless veterans at Hines VA and other organizations that help veterans; and ran a pet drive for food, treats, toys, blankets and money to help animals at Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge.
She also helps veterans to the tables at Chapter 84, or to and from their cars.
The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary of Illinois took notice and recently awarded Canon the Illinois Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Junior Member of the Year award for the second straight year.
“She’s quite a granddaughter” said Jaworowski, who lives in Oak Lawn with his wife, Jeannine. “Everybody’s got brags on their kids.”
But Jaworowski said Canon’s good deeds went beyond her selling Forget-Me-Nots with him for a fundraiser and other help at his post. He said she is very caring about other people, especially her grandparents.
“If we’re going to the store, she’ll take our hands and cross the walkway with us, just to make sure we get there,” Jaworowski said. “Just little things she does that she doesn’t have to do.”
Jeannine Jaworowski, his wife and a commander at the auxiliary, is equally proud. She pointed out many of the members, like her husband, use walkers or canes, so her granddaughter’s help is appreciated.
“I feel she grew up a lot doing this and learning what’s important around her,” she said. “She’s not a give-me person, she’s always trying to help and she’s very attentive to my husband.
Jeannine said Canon recently helped bag 300 cookies for a Christmas party at the post and made stockings for members’ children and grandchildren with candy and gift cards.
“I know it comes from her heart,” she said.
Ben Nesler, social studies division chair and National Honor Society faculty sponsor at Evergreen Park High School, said Canon came to their Veterans Day breakfast with her grandfather.
“What really makes Francesca unique is even not being part of NHS, she has still dedicated a large portion of her free time to helping veterans,” Nesler said. “She’s not doing it for anything but her love and respect for her grandfather and local vets.”
Nesler said he hoped to get Canon involved in the National Honor Society and to speak about her volunteer experiences to her peers.
Canon also is involved in student leadership and student government. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and walking her family’s dogs, a Chihuahua, basenji-terrier mix and Rottweiler, all from area pet shelters.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
