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The Oak Park Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program Needs Your Help
In last week's Wednesday Journal there was a story about the annual Holiday Food and Gift Basket program sponsored by the Community of Congregations in Oak Park. As with the case of many charities this holiday season, they're running short on sponsors. Here's what it said in the paper:
After reading the story, I decided that I'd like to sponsor a senior citizen and sent an e-mail to ask how to sign up. In case you're interested, the the program's administrators responded with the following message:
They are also looking for volunteers to help with gift delivery on December 12.
So I just wanted to share because the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program is a great way to give back this season right here in the community. Sponsors must sign up by December 5.
For more details, you can e-mail them at holidaybasket@hotmail.com or call 708-771-6159 x244 (the phone will ring seven times before going to voice mail if nobody is available to answer).
As of Monday, the tote board listed 965 local singles, seniors and families who have been "referred" to the program by local social services. That's an increase of 75 from just a year ago. With new sponsors recorded from over the weekend, 180 individuals or families still need to be sponsored. There is still time, says [Valerie] Woods, for your family, business, church or group to sign up as a sponsor. "People would just have to shop fast," said Woods.
After reading the story, I decided that I'd like to sponsor a senior citizen and sent an e-mail to ask how to sign up. In case you're interested, the the program's administrators responded with the following message:
Thanks so much for your interest in participating in the Holiday Food and Gift Basket program. Please just let us know the total number of people you would like to sponsor. There is no requirement on how much to spend per person but we do find that most people spend between $40-$50. Send us your mailing address and phone number. Then, we will send you wish lists, gift tags and information on when and where to drop off the gifts to us. At this point, we do have many people - seniors, single adults and families - who are just asking for gift certificates. If you like to shop, we also still have many single adults with wish lists as well as a few families with older kids who have specific wish lists. Thanks again for volunteering to sponsor. The need in our communities is greater than ever this year and it is wonderful that people are stepping up to help.
They are also looking for volunteers to help with gift delivery on December 12.
So I just wanted to share because the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program is a great way to give back this season right here in the community. Sponsors must sign up by December 5.
For more details, you can e-mail them at holidaybasket@hotmail.com or call 708-771-6159 x244 (the phone will ring seven times before going to voice mail if nobody is available to answer).
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