By Mary Kay Scharf
Now that we have spent a week considering how thankful we are for the blessings in our lives, it is a wonderful time to consider “paying forward” some of our gratitude. In our community, there are numerous organizations that provide support to families during the holidays and some whose mission is to support families throughout the entire year.
These programs count on the generosity of individuals but also on groups who work together to contribute during the holidays. Office parties and gift exchanges have been replaced by group contributions to bring some holiday cheer to those with greatest need. While financial support is needed most, volunteering for the various programs is another way to pay your gratitude forward.
Of course, the WJBC Brotherhood Tree is of the most well-known programs providing gifts to children and adults since 1969. To support the Brotherhood Tree you can buy a gift or give the gift of money and volunteer shoppers will purchase the most needed gifts for you.
You can’t miss the ringing of the bells outside businesses across the community. The cash you drop in the Salvation Army red kettles supports children, adults, and families throughout the year with tangible needs and supportive programs.
For almost 90 years, The Pantagraph’sGoodfellow Fund has provided assistance to children, elders, and families with extraordinary needs. The stories from recipients read in the paper and on the Facebook Page are moving and will motivate your giving.
Want to concentrate on assisting older residents of McLean County? The YWCA Holiday Helper drive hopes to help 200 seniors with specific needs or gift cards this holiday season.
This is just a brief list of programs among others in McLean County like Operation Angel Tree for children of prisoners, Toys for Tots, and the local Adopt a Family program. You also might consider those programs that provide services all year or at different times of the year… like the Back 2 School Alliance – which provides school supplies to children whose families are unable to do so. Then there is Easter Seals, Home Sweet Home Mission, Kiwanis Camp program, and so many more from which to choose.
If you want to pay it forward, but are unable to do so with a donation of time or money, consider the gift of life with a donation of blood to the Red Cross. Too many people say they will do that someday, but just haven’t. What are you waiting for? Now is the time!
So I too thought of all I am thankful for, and one of those things, as I have shared with you before, is to live in a community with a heart for giving. Please take time to “pay forward” your gratitude for all of your blessings and consider one of the worthy campaigns shared today.
The Salvation Army – 309-829-9476
The Salvation Army Winter Coat Distribution begins Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00am – 12 Noon. Coat distribution will run Monday – Thursday, 9am – 12 Noon through December 16, then resume January 4 – 28.
Clients must present the following documentation:
a photo ID
Current piece of mail
Social Security Card for anyone receiving a coat
Registration for Christmas Assistance through The Salvation Army:
Thursday, November 5, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Friday, November 6, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday, November 7, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Clients must provide the following documentation:
Photo identification
Proof of income for the last 30 days
A current piece of mail for proof of address
Social Security cards for every person in the household
Please note: A state-issued medical card is sufficient for address and income. A driver’s license does not count as a form of address verification.
Applications for paid bell ringer positions are accepted Fridays only, 9:00am – 12 Noon and 1:00 – 3:00pm beginning October 9 and concluding October 30. Applications must be completed on site and cannot be taken from the premises.
Applicants must provide the following:
State-issued photo ID AND Social Security Card ORCertified Birth Certificate
Questions? Contact Captain DJ James at 309-829-9476, ext 206
WJBC – Brotherhood Tree – 309-829-1221
Families who would like to receive gifts from the Brotherhood Tree must send an e-mail with the names of the members of their own households only, their age, and gender to: laura@wjbc.com. Requests must also include a phone number of someone that can be contacted with questions and a street address (with directions if the home is difficult to find or a rural address. Note that the Brotherhood Tree cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes). Requests will be accepted through Nov 24th. Gifts will be delivered on Sat, Dec 19. Someone from the household must be home on this day to accept the gifts. If for some reason no one will be home, a note directing volunteers to leave the gifts with a neighbor or in some discreet location must be posted (this is important because, in the past, gifts have been stolen from porches, etc.) For more information, call the number above or look online www.wjbc.com.
Compassionate Friends – Candlelight Memorial Service
The Annual Candlelight Memorial Service will be held on Sun, Dec 13, 7:00pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Emerson St., Bloomington. This Memorial is a way to help parents, living with the loss of a child, get through the holidays. Volunteers are needed to help with the Memorial Service. Contact Donna McMillan at 309-724-8414 or Linda Zick at 815-692-2829 to volunteer or for further information.
Christmas for Kids Party – Registration by mail or e-mail only!
(For families in need, unemployed, or underemployed)
Children (12 and younger) who are attending the party must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are required. The party will be held on Saturday, Dec 12, at 10:00am in the Bloomington High School Cafeteria, 1202 E. Locust Street. To obtain tickets, please write to PO Box 3396, Bloomington IL 61702-3396 or e-mail matejka53@aol.com (no phone calls, please). Include the number of children attending, your address and phone number. The party is sponsored by Bloomington-Normal Trades & Labor Assembly and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.
Eastview Christian Church – “Imagine” Holiday Assistance Program – 309-451-5008
Families in need are invited to receive new coats, toys and pantry boxes from Eastview Christian Church’s holiday assistance program called, “Imagine”. Imagine Registration days allow you to lock in an appointment time to pick up your items on the Distribution Day-Saturday, December 5. At Registration, we will be able to find out exactly what the needs of your family are and do our best to fill them. Please bring a photo id and 1 piece of mail that has been sent to your current address to one of the following sites:
September 28: Grace Baptist Church 6-8:30pm or Western Ave Community Center 6-8:30pm
September 29: Jesus House 6-8:30pm or Calvary Baptist Church 6-8:30pm
September 30: Jesus House 6-8:30pm or Western Ave Community Center 6-8:30pm
October 1: Normal Unity Center 6-8:30pm or Second Presbyterian Church 6-8:30pm
October 3: Crosswinds Church 10-Noon or 1-3pm
Appointments for Distribution Day (December 5) are not given out by first come/first served on Registration Days, so please feel free to register on the day and time that is most convenient for you. Registration Deadline is October 3rd. Anyone who did not register can come as a walk in on December 5th. Doors open for walk-ins at 10:00am with shopping beginning at 2:00pm. Questions? Contact an Eastview representative at 309-451-5008 orlocaloutreach@eastviewcc.org.
For DeWitt County Residents:
DeWitt County Angel Tree Program – 217-935-2455
Now accepting applications from families who are struggling to buy their children gifts for the holiday season. The program provides children with coats, clothing, shoes and toys if they qualify under state poverty guidelines. All information provided by applicants is confidential and each child is assigned a number for identification purposes.
Monthly Household Maximum Income Guidelines:
2 people
3 people
4 people
$1,659
$2,093
$2,526
5 people
6 people
7 people
8 people
$2,959
$3,393
$3,826
$4,259
Applicants must be DeWitt Co residents & may sign up by calling the DeWitt County Community Action, office at 217-935-2455. Applications are accepted by appointment only. Farmer City applicants may pick up & return their applications to McKinley Water Conditioning at 300 S Main in Farmer City. If there are any questions, you may contact Lynda Harmon or Erin McKinley at 309-928-3361. Deadline to turn in the applications are Friday, October 30th at 4:00 pm. Each applicant must provide social security cards for everyone in the household and proof of income for the past 30 days for everyone in the household. Angel Tree applicants will be able to pick up their gifts on Friday, December 11th at their designated time at the Clinton Elks. For information on donating to the Angel Tree Program please call DeWitt County Community Action.
Home Sweet Home Ministries, Holiday Meal Hotline – 309-828-7356 ext. 241 (your call will be sent to a voice mail–you’ll hear a beep–leave your message)
Volunteers deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities living within McLean County. The deadline for requesting a Thanksgiving meal is November 20th. HSHM will begin to take requests for Christmas Day meals on December 1st. To request a meal, call the number above with the name, address, phone number, and number of meals needed. The cut-off date for Christmas meals is December 18th. HSHM’s in-house banquet, served inside the Billy Shelper Center (303 E. Oakland Avenue, Blm) will be held on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day at 12:30pm. A smaller meal will be available between 6:00-7:00pm. The in-house meals are open to anyone. For more information, visit their web site at www.hshministries.org.
WJBC – Brotherhood Tree – 309-829-1221: For donations, only new gifts are accepted and can be for children or adults. Each gift should be wrapped and marked with age and contents. Checks are also accepted, along with donations by Paypal (www.wjbc.com). Donations are accepted the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 29) through Wed, Dec 16. For more information or to volunteer, call 309-829-1221 and ask for Laura or look online at www.wjbc.com.
Book Showers for Literacy – 309-838-8306 or 309-834-9222. Hold a Book Shower at your organization, club, school, or church to collect NEW children’s books that will become holiday gifts for underprivileged children. STAR Literacy Program is accepting donations of new children’s books. The new children’s books will be distributed through the Salvation Army Christmas Clearinghouse and social service agencies that work with low-income families, the homeless, and children at risk. In November and December the Children’s Rooms at both Bloomington and Normal Public Libraries and the Children’s Discovery Museum will accept new book donations. Barnes and Noble Booksellers is also holding a Book Drive to benefit Book Showers. If your group would like to purchase books through Barnes and Noble, contact Becky Harris at 309-662-1506. If you would like to make arrangements to have your book donation picked up or for more information, call Sheila Diaz at 309-838-8306 or 309-834-9222.
Children’s Home + Aid – Adopt-A-Family – 309-827-0374:Business groups, families, or individuals can adopt-a-family for Christmas. Donations of gifts, household items, and money are appreciated. (This program serves only the families receiving services through Children’s Home + Aid) Contact Laura Cordero at lcordero@childrenshomeandaid.org or at the number above for more information.
Toys for Tots – US Marine Corps Reserves – 309-319-1056:New toys are collected and distributed to needy McLean County children through community holiday assistance programs. Monetary donations are very much appreciated, as well. Donated toys can be dropped off mid-November through the first part of December at approximately 80 locations throughout the Bloomington/Normal area. For more information contact toysfortotsmcleancounty@gmail.com or call the number above.
Children’s Home + Aid – Stuff the Bus – 309-827-0374:Stuff The Bus benefits the Crisis Nursery. This will be the week of December 1st to the 6th at various locations in Bloomington-Normal. Baby Items are needed.
The Baby Fold’s 2015 Christmas Wish List Program – 309-451-7202
The Baby Fold needs help from individuals, families, organizations and church groups to fulfill the wishes of the children they serve, boys and girls who range in age from prenatal babies to 21 years of age. There are several ways to help:
Fill a wish list of one or several children by purchasing specific items on their lists (available via e-mail address below)
Purchase a variety of “generic” items that The Baby Fold can use to help a number of children (brochure available with listed items)
Purchase gift cards for the older children to spend on gifts
Make a monetary gift/donation to assist with last minute purchases of necessary items
Volunteering time in December to help track, inventory, sort, shop for and distribute gifts for nearly 600 children that The Baby Fold provides for in the community.
Gifts can be dropped off beginning Wednesday, December 2nd through Friday, December 11th, 2015 from 11:30am – 6:00pm excluding weekends. The gift drop-off location will be announced at a later date once the site is confirmed
You may contact: Kate Kirby, Development & Public Relations Assistant @ 309-451-7202 or kkirby@thebabyfold.org for more information.
The Pantagraph’sGoodfellow Fund – 309-820- 3256:The Goodfellow Fund works in cooperation with local social service agencies to assist families in need. Monetary donations from community residents are what fuel the fund. Please mail donations to: The PantagraphGoodfellow Fund, PO Box 1800, Bloomington, IL 61702-1800. Donor names can be listed in The Pantagraph after Thanksgiving Day. Should you need further information, contact Julie Gerke at the number above.
ISU Leadership and Service Office – Holiday Helper – 309-438-7346:ISU students, faculty, and staff can be a Holiday Helper for children served by the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington/Normal, Catholic Charities, Center for Youth & Family Solutions, Unity Community Center, and/or Western Avenue Community Center. Contact the Leadership and Service Office Nov 1-Dec 1 to receive the name, age, and interests of a child to sponsor. Simply spend between $30 and $40 per child and take the gifts, unwrapped, to the Leadership and Service Unit, Room 206, Bone Student Center, at the corner of University and College. For further information, call the above number and ask for the Holiday Helper contact person.
YWCA Holiday Helpers: http://www.ywcamclean.org/
Back 2 School Alliance: http://back2schoolalliance.org/
Kiwanis Camp Limberlost: http://www.bloomingtonkiwanis.org/Page/11558
Easter Seals: 309-663-8275
Heartland Headstart: http://www.heartlandheadstart.org/
Mary Kay Scharf is the Director of Principal Leadership in the Bloomington Public Schools. A Clinton native, she was a teacher for 7 years and has been a principal and school administrator for the past 26 years. She is a volunteer for multiple community organizations, most passionately for the Not In Our Town initiative. The proud mother of 3 and grandmother of one, Mary Kay lives in Normal with her husband, Jamie.
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