Platoon of compassion

CHANNAHON — Aubrey Brooks, a 4-year-old from Coal City, may be the only little girl in Grundy County with an entire army named after her.

Aubrey, a "dainty and beautiful" girlie-girl, was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.

"When you think of the definition of a princess, you would have to think of Aubrey Brooks," said Cristye Brown, a Brooks family friend.

To help Aubrey fight the disease, volunteers from the village of Channahon and the Channahon Police Department, where Aubrey's father, Matt, works as an officer, have formed "Aubrey's Army."

The group's goal is to raise funds to cover some of the additional expenses associated with Aubrey's fight against Leukemia.

Channahon Police Chief Jeff Wold said those expenses include gas to get to and from the hospital and other expenses not covered by insurance.

In Aubrey's honor, the army, headed by Channahon Village President Joe Cook, is hosting a benefit Sunday, Feb. 12, at Liquid Therapy, 3501 Channahon Road, Joliet, "because kids can't fight Leukemia alone."

The event will last for four hours, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a $20 donation requested for admission that also includes pizza, pop and desserts, Wold said.

"We will have 98 raffle items and 11 live auction items," said Liz Murphy-Warawa, records assistant for the police department.

Raffle prizes will include a 46-inch flat-screen with DVD and surround sound home theater system, a whole-house humidifier plus installation, a Chicago Blackhawks shirt with a hockey puck signed by Viktor Stalberg, St. Louis Cardinals versus Chicago Cubs tickets, Chicago White Sox versus Cubs tickets, a bean bag set with boards, a round of golf plus lunch, and much more.

Murphy-Warawa said there will also be baskets raffled off with items for men, women and children.

The "army" will also raise money for Aubrey by selling wristbands, similar to the "Livestrong" wristbands with "Aubrey's Army" printed on them. One set of 200 pink wristbands has already sold, but orange bands with the same name printed on them will be available Sunday for $5.

"Bring everyone you know," Wold said. "It will be a good time, a party atmosphere with kid activities."