Community Corner

Jassen Strokosch Search: Here's How to Help

A roundup of coordinated efforts across the Oak Park area.

Online and in person, hundreds of volunteers concerned for the welfare of an Oak Park husband and father are donating their time in hopes of bringing community luminary Jassen Strokosch home.

Because information is moving across the Web rapidly, we thought it may be helpful to round-up the volunteer efforts in one place. By all means, please contribute to the comment section of this story if you have good information you'd like to share.

Online

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • A Facebook group called "Find Jassen Strokosch" has been set up, with roughly 140 members trading information on search efforts.
  • A YouTube video, shot and uploaded by Dogstar7, follows the search effort of a volunteer crew working near the Des Plaines River. In it, an unidentified member who appears to be a crew leaders tells the interviewer he thinks Strokosch is "going through a tough time. He's despondent...and is dealing with some personal issues and looking to get away from everything."
  • Oak Park-River Forest Patch has an easy-to-use Volunteer section that pairs those looking to help with groups looking for help.
  • Twitter is lighting up with users who are sharing information about search efforts. 

Volunteer Efforts
Oak Park resident Nancy Guarino has been instrumental in doling out assignments to volunteers aiding in the search, which has apparently expanded from the western suburbs to parts of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

It's important to note that Guarino has relayed a message to search parties that authorities "are discouraging people from talking to Jassen if he is spotted – they would prefer that people call 911 and report the spotting and then just follow him if at all possible."

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, search party volunteers are still needed for the weekend.

Meals, Finances, Etc.

  • On the group Facebook page, Oak Parker Melissa Elsmo is leading an effort that will provide meals to the Strokosch family "until the start of school," either through an online schedule or donations at a grocery store.
  • Laurent Pernot, Strokosch's colleague at Platform Public Affairs, said many people are asking to contribute financially. He writes: "We ask that rather than buy things or sign up for services etc. you hold off just a bit so that donations can be centralized and the family can use as it sees most needed. More to follow."

To volunteer for a search party
Nancy Guarino: (708) 979-8309

If you believe you've spotted Jassen Strokosch near a Cook County Forest Preserve: call (708) 771-7001 or call 911

If you believe you've spotted Jassen Strokosch elsewhere: call 911


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