'Tis the season for sharing, caring, and generosity

By Megan L. Tanco

 “I just don’t have what I want,” we may say as we sift through a pile of shoes, clothing, or even food in our household pantries trying to make a decision on what to wear or eat. How easily we overlook the fact that having choices means we really do have what we want and need. Many others cannot make that claim.

This holiday season, consider sharing the things you may have more than enough of, such as time, food, clothing, and money. The following organizations serve people for whom your more-than-enough can be just enough. 

Cathedral Shelter, 1668 W. Ogden Ave., offers drug recovery and work transition services and runs Cressie House, a 27-unit apartment complex for families with an adult member recovering from substance abuse. Donations of new blankets, pots and pans, winter clothes and other personal and household items are needed year-round.

Supporting 9,000 families as well as many local emergency food pantries, Cathedral Shelter depends greatly on volunteer help and donations. The organization expects to help 1,800 families with its annual Christmas basket drive; each basket will contain one week’s worth of food and children’s toys. The shelter needs volunteers through Tuesday, Dec. 12, to package and distribute gift baskets, check families in, drive, and help load and unload trucks. To volunteer or sponsor a family go to www.cathedralshelter.org or call Nancy Pendergrass at (312) 997-2222, ext. 243, or e-mail her at npendergrass@cathedralshelter.org. 

Campbell’s Soup Co. through Friday, Dec. 15, is running its Click for Cans campaign allowing NFL teams to receive a donation of Campbell’s soup for the local food bank of their choice. By going online at www.chunky.com and clicking the Chicago Bears as your NFL team, you increase the odds of a donation to a Chicago food bank.

Casa Central (Central House), 1343 N. California Ave., seeks holiday volunteers. Casa Central was founded in 1954 by a multi-denominational group of churches to provide social services for people of all ages and help a growing population of Hispanics adjust to life in Chicago's inner city. It is now the largest Hispanic social service agency in Chicago, and its network of 25 bilingual/bicultural social service programs serves Chicago residents through nine facilities located mainly in Humboldt Park. Programs include foster grandparents, adult day care, and computer technology. To volunteer or for more information call Casa Central at (773) 646-2465 or go online at www.casacentral.org.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, 721 N. LaSalle St., hosts its annual Celebration of Giving through Tuesday, Dec. 12. New unwrapped toys in their original packaging can be dropped off at the organization’s newest location at 1455 W. Hubbard St. Call (312) 738-1674. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Catholic Charities also needs volunteers through Friday, Dec. 15, to sort and package gifts in the toy room; to volunteer, contact Dorey Kuhn at (312) 655-7322 or dkuhn@catholiccharities.net. For other Catholic Charities volunteer opportunities, call Marady Norman at (312) 655-7912; to sponsor a family call Morgan Henington at (312) 948-6864.
 

If you cannot donate your time you can send a check or money order to Catholic Charities, Department 1623, Box N, Chicago, IL 60690-3990. The organization also accepts donated vehicles; for information call 1 (888) 227-4827. For other details or for ideas for appropriate gifts call Catholic Charities’ LaSalle center at (312) 655-7477 or visit www.catholiccharities.net.  

Charter One Bank and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, www.chicagosfoodbank.org.  “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks helped kick off Charter One’s and the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Carving out Hunger campaign by being one of the first to donate this year. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a not-for-profit food bank that supports 600 non-profit food agencies in the city. Donations of canned foods, fruits, and vegetables can be made at any of Charter One’s 120 Illinois branches. For information on the nearest bank branch or food bank call Laura Bohacz for Charter One at (312) 565-4605 or e-mail lbohacz@lcwa.com. 

Chicago House, 1925 N. Clybourn Ave., Suite 401, will host its “Champagne Wrap-ture,” holiday party on Wed., Dec. 13, at the Chicago Cultural Center in support of Chicago House, an organization that serves men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS with housing and other supportive services. Party-goers can enjoy champagne while viewing and bidding on unique works of champagne bottle artistry made by celebrities, designers, architects, and artists, all to benefit Chicago House. Tickets are $75 in advance, or $85 at the door. To make reservations, call (773) 248-5200 x303 or purchase online at www.chicagohouse.org. Also there is a Champagne Wrap-ture Holiday Gift Bag, featuring champagne, chocolates, and coffee from Veuve Cliquot and Starbucks for $50. For more information visit www.chicagohouse.org  or call (773) 248-5200.

Century 21 Sussex and Reilly, 1101 W Lake St. Century 21 Sussex and Reilly locations in the West Loop, Lakeview, and Lincoln Square are running a Letters to Santa campaign, in which the firm’s associates fulfill 20 underprivileged children’s holiday wishes by raising hundreds of dollars, buying the children’s desired gifts mentioned in their letters to Santa, and delivering them to schools in December. For more information call Sussex and Reilly at (312) 948-2555.

Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation (Greater Chicago Food Depository), 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl. The Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation started in 1976 as a non-profit organization to help the homeless and has helped establish other organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The 200-member agency now is involved with soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters. In Cook County alone more than 300,000 people rely on food provided by depository. For local locations, visit www.chicagosfoodbank.org or call (773) 247-3663.

The Chicago Bulls and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events are benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository by hosting their annual holiday food drive on Saturday, Dec. 9. Between 6 and 7:30 p.m. before the tip-off of the Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves home game, volunteers at all gates of the United Center, located at 1901 W. Madison St., will collect donations. Bring non-perishable food as well as baby food, diapers, and hygiene products. Go to www.bulls.com for more information or call (312) 455-4000.

De La Salle Institute, 3455 S. Wabash Ave. and 1040 W. 32nd Pl., will hold its holiday food drive through December. Students will collect food, clothing, and toys and distribute items to needy families and individuals. Each homeroom will win points based on how much it collects and will choose the charity to receive donations in its name. Participating students also will receive free breakfast in the school’s cafeteria. For information call Mike Welsh at (312) 845-7355.

The Dominick’s Finer Foods /ABC 7 Holiday Food Drive runs through Tuesday, Jan 2. Food and money, which go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, can be donated at all Dominick’s stores in the Gain a Million Pounds campaign to feed the hungry. For additional opportunities including a virtual food drive visit the depository online at www.chicagofoodbank.org or call Megan Tepper at (773) 843-2657.

The Fairy Godmother Foundation, 1341 W. Fullerton Ave., is a unique Chicago-based national charity that grants wishes for individuals facing terminal illness who have a year or less to live. It has granted 600 wishes in 44 states. Each case is so specific that Fairy Godmother takes all kinds of donations ranging from airline miles to disposable cameras, toys, and even gas cards to help fulfill wishes. To assist, call Natalie Meinert at (773) 388-1160, ext. 15, or e-mail info@fairygodmother.org. You also can send donations directly to 1341 W. Fullerton Ave., Box 179, Chicago, IL 60614-2362.

The Illinois States Treasurer’s Office of Judy Barr Topinka is supporting the Toys for Tots Campaign now through Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 15-600. Drop off new, unwrapped toys for children; items will go to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign for delivery at Christmas time. For more information call (312) 814 2677.

 

Jewel-Osco and the United States Marine Corps have teamed for the 59th annual Toys for Tots campaign running through Saturday, Dec. 16. In their third year as sponsors, Jewel-Osco will collect toys for thousands of area children in bins located in each of its 203 local stores. Customers and employees are asked to donate new, unwrapped toys for distribution by local social welfare agencies and churches. All donations are tax deductible. For more info call Kenya Harris at (312) 644-2316. 

Lakeside Bank is sponsoring its third annual food drive through Friday, Dec. 15, in support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. All Lakeside bank locations are collecting canned and packaged food with a goal of amassing at least 1,000 pounds of items. Local branches are at 2200 S. Archer Ave., 2141 S. Indiana Ave., 1055 W. Roosevelt Rd., 141 W. Jackson Blvd., and 55 W. Wacker Dr. For every item you donate, you get a raffle ticket to win a gift basket that includes a $50 restaurant gift certificate and a wine opener. The drawing will take place Monday, Dec. 18. For more information call Erica Chianelli at (312) 567-1011 or e-mail echianelli@lakesidebank.com.

Leukemia Research Foundation, a Glenview-based Leukemia Research Foundation working to conquer leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes by funding research into causes and cures, offers greeting cards for Christmas and Hanukkah ranging from general, to religious, to progressive. Cards come in boxes of 25 at an approximate cost of $46 and include one free line of a personalized message. Samples cards can be viewed at www.leukemia-research.org; click “order new cards.” For further information call Dorothy Pfeiffer at (708) 599-5778.

Little Brothers/Friends of the Elderly, 355 N. Ashland Ave. With its national headquarters in this community this not-for-profit organization is committed to the elderly and celebrating their quality of life. For 47 years this organization has tended to the needs of seniors 70 years or older. Currently, Little Brothers serves more than 1,000 elders in the city, 20% of them in nursing homes.

Little Brothers gives the aging the opportunity to interact with their peers at hosted gatherings. One such event is the “family reunion,” where volunteers celebrate with the seniors they serve. Little Brothers hosts parties for all major holidays and holds regular food drives and a Christmas drive. This year, parties will be hosted on the North, South, and West Sides. There are a numerous ways that you can volunteer. There are Christmas gift visitors, holiday bag deliveries, in-home celebrations, and phone visitors.

The Christmas visiting program allows volunteers to visit elders and provide them with gifts and assist them with small tasks. It is a time commitment of three-to-five hours.

To participate in the program as a volunteer, one is required by Little Brothers to have a three hour orientation prior to interaction with the elders, as well as a background check including fingerprinting, and other training. Interested parties should contact (312) 455-1000 at least two weeks before Christmas, or log on to www.littlebrothers.org.

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., is a residential youth home that specializes in the rehabilitation of children who are dealing with various life issues. There are many ways to assist Mercy Home, which relies on gifts to fund its program; 98% of the home’s funding comes from donors. Mercy Home also allows opportunities for volunteering through mentorship, becoming a “guardian angel” to a child, and even supporting a child’s education. For more information on Mercy Home go online at www.mercyhome.org or call (312) 738-7552.
 

Mercy Hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., will deliver more than 1,000 Christmas boxes containing food and gifts to support its neighbors in the community on Saturday, Dec. 16. For 34 years, Mercy employees and friends have decorated boxes and filled them with gifts for the elderly and underprivileged. Last year, 400 volunteers filled and delivered the boxes; 50 were prepared for nursing home residents and included special treats and Christmas poinsettias. To help pack boxes or deliver them, call patient relations at (312) 567-5508 or go online at www.mercy-chicago.org. For questions on donations or the drive call Kevin Fassl at (312) 567-2405 or e-mail him at kfassl@mercy-chicago.org.

Haymarket Center of the McDermott Foundation, 932 W. Washington Blvd., is an in-house support center and outreach program for those struggling with addiction that serves more than 16,700 clients. Its Maternal Addiction Center offers a place for women to detoxify before delivery so their babies are born drug-free. The organization welcomes monetary donations as well as warm clothing for men, women, and children. For more information contact Robert Manewith at (773) 274–6215, or by fax at (773) 274-5636. 

Notre Dame de Chicago Parish, 1334 W Flournoy St., is collecting toys and clothing for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) at 1240 S. Damen Ave. The CCAC provides intake, investigation, and follow-up services for child sexual abuse victims ages 3-17 in Chicago. Notre Dame is in need of new, unwrapped, toys for their annual Children’s Holiday Party for the CCAC. Please do not donate any stuffed animals or wrapped gifts. For questions contact Notre Dame at (312) 243-7400 or online at www.nddechgo@aol.com.

The United States Postal Service/Cardiss Collins Center, 433 W. Harrison St., is holding its “Letters to Santa,” campaign. The Cardiss Collins center can get as many as 10,000 letters each year. Through Fri., Dec. 22 the post office at this location is open 24 hours with free underground parking; it will have letters addressed to Santa from families in need on hand for your choosing. Those taking letters are encouraged to fulfill the letter-writer’s wishes. For information, call the postal service hotline at (800) 275-8777. If you would like a letter mailed or faxed to you call (312) 983-8697. For more information on the Letters to Santa program call (312) 983-8293.
 

The Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization supports women and men with breast cancer and their families with programs including a 24-hour support hotline run by a trained staff of breast cancer survivors speaking 140 languages. Y-Me helps support its operations with sales of its own line of holiday cards. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, there is a card for you. Cards can be purchased online at www.y-me.holidaycardsstore.net or at 212 W. Van Buren St. The Y-Me hotline is (800) 221-2141. Online donations also are welcome.