Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

by Sheila Noblitt, HSP staff

Last night when the staff and volunteers left the Humanitarian Service Project center, we hoped we had helped as many last minute families in need as possible. After putting out the message to social service agencies, township offices, a local homeless shelter, and a community crisis center, families called us, and we were able to put together packages of new Christmas gifts for their children.

Earlier in the day, Rita picked up gifts for six families staying at the shelter. Other families with transportation fought nasty winter weather to make it to us in time. One mom said, “I hope I can make it. My car’s tires are bald and I’m afraid to drive.” She did make it in time. We witnessed many moms fighting back tears while others just let them flow. Another mom said, “When a neighbor realized we didn’t have anything, he brought over a tree. Now we have gifts to put under it.” We heard our share of sad stories like the mom who fled domestic abuse and was left with nothing for her children.

However, despite their individual situations, the families we saw shared one thing and that was thankful hearts—that someone could help them in their hour of need. Their children would at least have gifts to open on Christmas when other more fortunate children were opening presents. They would have a Christmas after all. They knew someone cared.

We don’t expect families to express gratitude—can you imagine how hard it must be to have to ask for help—but when it comes our way, we feel proud to share it—like this voice message we found on our phone when we returned to work last Monday after Saturday’s food and gift Christmas Offering distribution:

“This is Dana. We just picked up. You guys are amazing! It was above and beyond. You guys are enough to make a mother cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for the generosity. Thank you for listening to what the kids wanted. Thank you for being so efficient. Thank you for the people loading our car. Our Christmas is way different because of you.”

This last week we helped more than 200 additional families from our waiting list over and above those already in our programs. We were too tired to tally the exact number, but we figure well over 1,000 children have something to look forward to this Christmas.

We are thankful for the outpouring of support from the community for HSP’s mission to help needy seniors and children. Thankful for all of those who donated new toys and gifts, for those who sponsored families and made financial contributions, for those who delivered gifts and meals to our seniors, for those who came into the center to volunteer, for our drivers who drove all over Chicagoland picking up donations, for the good will we are so fortunate to witness. All of us at HSP are proud to continue the tradition of the Christmas Offering which Karole and Floyd Kettering started 31 Christmases ago.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

An Amazing Food Donation from Dominican University

By: Eva Karakostas, intern

Shannon Janicki from Dominican University undertook a project with her wonderful students in the "Art of Leadership" class and, together, they collected 2,500 non-perishable food items to donate to us. We are very grateful for this amazing food donation because now we are able to help 150 needy families by giving them 3 weeks' worth of food. Shannon is one of our speakers and helps us connect with schools and other groups throughout the community. In the picture above, it shows just the amount of food and gifts one family got!

A Christmas Wish Coming True!

By Neethu Elengical

Today, Humanitarian Service Project was able to help 157 families on our waiting list for Christmas gifts. This was in addition to the 709 children that we had already helped. On top of that we are trying to help all the people who are calling in asking for our help. We provided gifts for children between the ages of 3 and 15; with at least three gifts per each child. We were able to help children, who without our help would not have received any gifts this Christmas morning. In fact, six of the families we helped are currently living at Hope House, which is the DuPage Emergency Shelter, at Villa Park. We were also able to give brand new winter coats to the children who needed it due to the generous help of Willow Creek Church members. We are very thankful to all the volunteers who came in and helped us distribute all the wonderful presents.

Couple hours ago, I saw one of our volunteers bring out a pink bike and the look on the mom's face when she saw the bike was priceless. She looked really happy and said thank you for your help. I can't imagine how happy the little girl is going to be when sees this brand new pink bike. That look on the mom's face, I think, would make everyone happy who had worked here helping make this possible. Overall, I am very happy to play a very small part in helping make this a very Merry Christmas for so many people.

Volunteers Sharing the Christmas Spirit

By Laura Saad, Intern


On Saturday, December 19th, volunteers gathered at Humanitarian Service Project's center to help distribute food and gifts to 150 families in need. Thanks to the generous support of many donors, families of DuPage and Kane County were able to receive bags of toys for their children this holiday season. Along with the gifts, families were offered a frozen turkey and winter coats. With a blanket of white covering the grounds and laughter in the air, the spirit of Christmas was truly present.

Bright and early, volunteers arrived to ensure a smooth and steady operational flow. Whether working in the warehouse, the loading dock, storage truck, or check-in point, each and every volunteer contributed to Saturday's success. Santa was also present, making his rounds to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

A Heartwarming Gift from the Willow Creek Church

By: Eva Karakostas, intern

The Willow Creek Community Church made a wonderful donation to us this Christmas by donating over 750 coats for children in our programs. We are so happy and thankful to be receiving such a wonderful gift that will greatly help the children in need.

This Christmas the Willow Creek Community Church focused their holiday initiatives around the theme "Just Christmas" and said that, "this play on words not only represents the reminder to all of us to get back to the original story of Christmas; it challenges us to actively participate in bringing justice to those in our local community who need it." As a church body, Willow Creek engaged in two activities for the "Just Christmas" initiative: Collecting new coats for children in need and serving in their local communities throughout Chicagoland. Our friends at the Willow Creek Church said, "it is our desire to touch 10,000 families with the love of Christ by having new children's coats distributed throughout the city of Chicago and its suburbs." They collected 11,000 coats!

We at the Humanitarian Service Project are very thankful to Willow Creek and their amazing donation which helps our organization by allowing us to distribute warm coats to these wonderful children who need our help.

A Great Christmas Event Helps the Humanitarian Service Project

By: Eva Karakostas, intern



The Rotary Club of Wheaton recently held its annual Christmas Inn fundraiser. This event featured dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, a live auction, and a split the pot raffle. In addition, the Rotary Club of Wheaton helps the Boy Scouts of America, DuPage County Convalenscence Center, JUST of DuPage, the Rotary Youth Exchange, and furnishes college scholarships among other projects. The Humanitarian Service Project is one of the non-profit organizations that will benefit from this event by helping out with sponsoring families for our Christmas Offerings. Pictured here are Roger Tully, Wheaton Club club Director and local Wheaton electrician, and Karole Kettering, Founder and Executive Director of the Humanitarian Service Project.

A Crafty Christmas Idea

by Sheila Noblitt, HSP Staff

Aurora crafter Stephanie found a creative way to help HSP. She's donating one craft item for our new Arts & Crafts Kits for each Etsy sale she made through last Saturday, a total of 48 items. Her shop QuintessentialQuirks specializes in poptop mini-pin cushions among other cute items. Stephanie and her husband Brian are also planning to donate their time during our upcoming Boxing Party next Sunday.

I marveled at last year's Boxing Party, my first, as a small army of volunteers tackled a mini-mountain of presents, carrying huge bags of toys into the warehouse. Much like a symphony conductor, our Founder and Executive Director Karole took the stage to orchestrate the production. With 30 years under her belt, Karole and company pretty much have this day down to a science much like Santa and his Elves must.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Humanitarian Service Project.

Molly comes to visit!

By: Eva Karakostas, intern

It was an exciting day here at the Humanitarian Service Project as Karole's dogsitter's boxer dog "Molly" came to visit us on Tuesday, December 1st. Molly is a cute and lovable 9 week old puppy and everyone quickly gathered around to see her when she came in for a visit. We love getting visitors here at our center and Molly certainly was a joy to see.

Her Support is "Perfect"!

By: Stephanie Ferrini and Eva Karakostas, Interns

and Shelia, Staff

This time of year, the Humanitarian Service Project counts our blessings and one of those blessings is long time supporter Marylou Johnson. Over the years, Marylou has sponsored several children through our Children's Birthday Project and has been a secret pal for a senior citizen married couple through our Senior Citizen Project. She has volunteered and became a devoted member of our 'Pot of Gold' program.

When Marylou was a teenager, she had a group of four close friends. They were in the drum and bugle corps together. They would sit on the back of the bus and called themselves the "perfects." Fifty years later, the "perfects" still get together for a luncheon every year. This Christmas the group decided that instead of giving each presents, they would donate $54 to sponsor a child in our Children's Birthday Project. Their gift provides a 25 pound box stuffed with new toys, books, stuffed animals, school suppilies, and the party-in-a-bag with the ingredients for a happy birthday party celebration.

What We are Thankful For

By Stephanie Ferrini, Intern

Are you ready to start craving the turkey? The mashed potatoes? The stuffing? Possibly tackle Black Friday? Enjoy the holiday and remember what it's for:

What We are Thankful For
"We are truly grateful for the love and support of our family; and for the opportunity to make a difference in the world through the support of so many of our wonderful donors, volunteers, and staff. Your caring about others' well being has also made a difference in our lives."
- Karole and Floyd Kettering, Co-Founders

"Supportive family and friends, my health, having a place to live, a working vehicle, and the chance to work daily with such wonderful people"
- Sarah Grindstaff, Senior Citizen Project Coordinator

"I am thankful for the people in my life: my peers, co-workers, friends, roommates, and especially my family. I am thankful for their health and well being. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given and the blessings in my life."
- Stephanie Ferrini, Intern

"I'm thankful for my health, my home, my happiness, and for the opportunity to serve needy individuals in my own community on a professional level."
- George Hofmann, Patron Relations Coordinator

"I am thankful for the sound of laughter. Whether it is from a family member, friend, co-worker, or even a stranger, laughter has the power to lift one's spirit on any occasion."
- Laura Saad, Intern

"I am thankful for my family, of course. For second chances, the beauty of nature, and a great Alabama football team this year. At work, I have the great fortune to see the best side of humankind- those people who walk through our doors and say, 'I want to help.' "
- Shelia Noblitt, Operations Assistant

"I am thankful for the exciting opportunity that HSP has offered me, and look forward to the future. I also am thankful for my health, family, and friends."
- Andrea King, Intern

"This year, I am thankful for a full year at HSP, a great place to work, and the opportunity to serve the needy by using my talents. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn a new profession, and thankful for the support and patience of my family as I complete the training needed to make the transition."
- Krista Ravenscraft, Intern

"I am thankful for the new faces and wonderful people that have come into my life. I'm thankful for surrounding myself with individuals that allow me to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Most of all, I am thankful for laughter and smiling faces."
- Nikki Haton, Children's Birthday Project Coordinator

"I am thankful to be alive."
- Jan Thompson, Toy Room Supervisor


All of us here at Humanitarian Service Project hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for?

Sorority Women Give Back

By Stephanie Ferrini, Intern

What do college kids do on a Tuesday night? If they are members of the sororities Alpha Phi or Phi Mu, they volunteer and give back to their communities. The two Elmhurst College sororities teamed up for the college's annual Greek Week and decided that this year they would do a service event opened to the entire campus. Over sixty women piled into one room to wrap fifteen bags of toys for under privileged children in the area. Bright colored paper, plenty of rolls of ribbon, and many laughs were shared between the sorority women to get the presents ready to send back to the Humanitarian Service Project!

Spreading Joy, One Teddy Bear at a Time

By Laura Saad, Intern

Most people remember their favorite childhood toy, and the memories attached to it are always cherished. Maybe it was a doll, a toy truck, or even a game. Whatever object of merriment it was, there's no doubt that it provided hours of amusement and happiness.

Imagination can be encouraged at an early age, and what better way to do so then with a cute plush toy, dressed in a fun and unusual outfit? RSM McGladrey recently donated a large supply of Build-a-Bears to HSP's Children Birthday Project. While the company is actually based in Minnesota, the staff was out attending a training conference at the Q Center in St. Charles. The Build-a-Bear was one of the activities the staff participated in during their stay. Build-a-Bear animals are extra special because they are individually designed by their builder, and a tiny red heart is lovingly stuffed inside. Volunteer, Maureen Kahn, was kind enough to pick the stuffed animals up and deliver them to HSP. We are very excited to be able to distribute these adorable plush toys to children in the program.

Deliver the Joy of Thanksgiving

By Laura Saad, Intern


It's that time of year when turkey aromas linger in the kitchen, the sweetness of homemade pumpkin pie awaits, and the laughter of friends and family fills the air. H.S.P. is looking for volunteers to help bring the spirit of Thanksgiving to seniors in need. This year, we are hoping to reach out to at least 40 seniors in the surrounding communities. Anyone interested in purchasing or preparing a meal to deliver to a senior's home can call the center at 630-221-8340 or email hsp@humanitarianservice.org.

Spread the Word

By Laura Saad

Fall Intern

Has everyone seen the great piece about H.S.P. that is posted on Suburban Life Publications' website? If not, be sure to check it out: http://otg.mysuburbanlife.com/2009/10/22/free-time-feed-soul-through-humanitarian-service-project

A Pretty Nice Present for the Children's Birthday Project

The latest issue of Naperville Magazine, containing a great story about the Children's Birthday Project, really wowed us. Karen Dix's two-page story takes readers from the genesis of the founding of the Humanitarian Service Project in Karole and Floyd Kettering's home to where we are today 30 years later. While focusing on the Children's Birthday Project, Dix highlighted how our other projects help needy children, families, and senior citizens.

Coming as we kick off our busiest season, the lead up to the Christmas Offering, we are grateful for this attention to our work. And grateful also for the continuing support from Naperville residents, civic groups, churches, schools, scouts, and businesses as well that from all of our many friends.

by Sheila Noblitt

Birthday Blessings

By Laura Saad

Birthdays are special, as they only come by once a year. Celebrating with family and friends can be a joyful and memorable occasion, and wanting to share that joy with others is just as rewarding. Today, our staff was pleasantly surprised to receive a donation consisting of several bags of toys for the Children's Birthday Project. In fact, the donor was celebrating her own birthday, and rather than receiving gifts for herself, she encouraged her loved ones to help support the children that H.S.P. serves. Through such generous donations, the Children's Birthday Project continues to make birthdays special for many children in our community.

How to Help: Host a Toy Drive

by Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

This Christmas season, we hope to give the children of low-income families the opportunity to experience the joy of waking up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning. HSP's goal this holiday season is to serve over 800 children in the area, each of whom will receive at least three Christmas gifts.

There are several ways in which our volunteers can make this happen for the needy children we serve. The first is the Giving Tree, a way to fulfill the wish lists of the children in our program. When sponsoring a Giving Tree child, you will be given a name and age and asked to fulfill at least one gift on the list. After wrapping your gifts, you may bring them to HSP, where we will give them to the child.


Toy drives are another helpful way to give these children a happy holiday, and a great fit for larger groups. Toys can be collected for ages 3-15, with our age group of 8-15 (we help brothers and sisters up to 15 at Christmas) being our biggest need. You may narrow your collection by choosing a specific age group or gender. The collected toys may be dropped off at our site in Carol Stream, where they will be sorted by our volunteers to fit a specific age, gender, or fulfill a wish list item.

Any additional toys we receive can be put away and used in future months for the Children's Birthday Project, which gives a needy child a 25 pound package of gifts each year on their birthday.

So don't be shy in collecting!

For more detailed information, or to let us know you would like to participate, feel free to contact us.

Karleen & the HSP Staff

Nice to meet you, the pleasure is all mine.

Written by George Hofmann, Patron Relations Coordinator, Humanitarian Service Project

Dear HSP blog readers,

I would like to happily introduce myself as the newest member of the Humanitarian Service Project team. I am absolutely delighted to be a part of this wonderful organization. As the new Patron Relations Coordinator I will be working hard to sustain existing relationships and to engage new constituents in this crucial effort to alleviate the hardships of the underprivileged members of our community.

I was 17 when I coordinated my first service project. In my hometown at the First Congregational Church of Downers Grove I put on a benefit concert for my Eagle Scout Project and raised non-perishable food items for the local FISH Food Pantry. The success of this event overjoyed me because I personally knew many of the individuals who would benefit from it.

Since then I have always had a passion for helping low income individuals and families. At the Vineyard Church of Downers Grove under the supervision of one of my most favorite friends, former Pastor George Polcaster, I organized a small group to make weekly visits and befriend clients of a neighborhood PADS shelter.

I graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelors degree in Anthropology and a burning desire to work for a practical and influential non-profit organization. I obtained a position at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago as a Donor Relations volunteer and was then promoted to Development Operations Intern.

With this experience I am beginning my career at Humanitarian Service Project and I can't tell you how excited I am to grow in this organization and to be a part of the amazing work that Karole Kettering started in her living room 30 years ago. I can't thank her enough for this opportunity and I look forward to meeting all of you. Thanks for reading the blog, come back soon to see what we're up to. Also check out our facebook page and become a fan!

Bicycling Love

By Laura Saad

On this crisp, fall afternoon, a father rode his bicycle to our center to pick up a birthday package for his daughter. He told me that his car was out of gas, and he did not want to miss the opportunity to bring his daughter joy on her 12th birthday. The distance did not bother him, as he cheerfully noted what a beautiful, sunny day it was for October. In fact, the father was full of love and dedication to his family. He showed me a picture of his daughter, and said how proud he was of her excellent grades at school. As I handed him the birthday box, he thanked me with a wide smile and said that he was sure his daughter would have a very memorable celebration.

As an intern, I feel blessed to witness such a genuine act of love. Truly, H.S.P. is touching the lives of many in our communities.

The Power of Purpose

by Sheila Noblitt
The Carol Stream Rotary Club did a community-wide food drive. Last weekend, 29 neighborhood partners fanned out to 3,500 homes, collecting bags of food left by mailboxes. A few days before, these same volunteers had dropped off flyers attached to empty grocery bags.

Our volunteer van driver, Pete Laabs, himself a Carol Stream resident, went over Monday morning to collect the food set aside for the Humanitarian Service Project. Pete brought the van back full and soon returned for another load. We didn't know quite what to expect, and I don't think the Rotary did either. This was their first food drive afterall.

Rotary President Luanne Triolo and club members rallied all of Carol Stream behind their mission to make sure hungry people are fed. They certainly wowed us! Thanks to all who donated and thanks to our friends at the Rotary!

A Quick Update

By Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

We are beginning to get busy with food drives coming in, and we appreciate the continual support of our volunteers. Keep crankin' away at those non-perishables!

I also wanted to say a quick thank you to the awesome Student Council at Gregory Middle School in Naperville. I had a blast speaking to the students at my Alma Matter about ways they can help out at HSP and answer some of their questions. While I was there, they presented me with an amazing donation of toys, games, and gift cards. They were very considerate as to purchase less frequently given gifts (like sports equipment and gifts for older children).

Check out their collection!

It is always a joy to experience kids helping other kids, especially when they are so enthusiastic about it! When I got back to HSP, Nikki told me that we have sent over school supplies to Gregory students in need. What a great way for the kids of Gregory to give back to their peers and neighbors! Thanks again, guys!

A "how to help" update is headed your way soon, but in the meantime, please contact us if you are able to help out by holding a food or toy drive for the holiday season.

Karleen & The HSP Staff

A Shout-Out to Our Awesome Volunteers!

By Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

Because I am astounded by the compassion, perseverance, and ingenuity of our awesome volunteers, here's an ode to a few who have gone the extra mile...

Mary Beth, one of our dedicated food sorters, surprised us with a generous food drive donation this week. As an explanation, she simply explained to us, “I looked at the bare shelves and worried that our seniors wouldn’t have enough food.” She's right, our shelves are pretty sparse, many of our staff have never seen them so empty.

So Mary Beth took matters into her own hands, and organized her very own food drive by asking around in her neighborhood. She said, "I wrote a letter and asked people to give a can or two, but most gave a sack."

Three overflowing grocery carts later, Mary Beth can say she and her Wheaton neighbors made a difference. One woman, man, or child can do so much. You may be equally surprised at how willing your friends and neighbors are to help.




Shortly after Mary Beth's donation came one from the Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard. We were delighted to hear that they had asked the members of their congregation who attended their Yom Kippur service to bring along a bag of non-perishable foods. Yesterday, we picked up two van-fulls and will be on our tomorrow to pick up another!



Finally, a story about a dedicated high schooler who woke up at 6 am on several Sundays in a row to collect school supplies for HSP. Talk about dedication! He decorated a box which he set out after each of his Church's services to ask people to bring school supplies to fill up the box. Last week, when he brought back what he had collected, it took nearly four of us to carry it inside and must have weighed in at over a hundred pounds!



To all who continue to help us help the needy, we appreciate your creativity and passion when it comes to donating and volunteering. Keep it coming!



I've also included the link below, for those who need a little help getting started on a food drive:

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4305.htm

Thanks for all you do,
Karleen & The HSP Staff

How to Help: Host a Food Drive!

By Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

'Tis the Season! Christmas may not be on many of your minds yet, especially with us being in the last few hours of summer. But here at HSP, we are already gearing up to provide a holly-jolly holiday for 150 local needy families.

Our most crucial need during this time is food, which we will send to the families along with toys and other gifts. Each of the 150 families will receive three weeks worth of fresh produce, meats, breads, and non-perishables to carry them through this holiday season.

This is where you all come in. Because we need so much food, food drives are crucial to the Christmas Project. Without the generous donations we receive each year, we would be forced to shoulder this large expense ourselves. By gathering a group of coworkers, a youth group, churches, rotary clubs, neighbors, school students, and so on (the possibilities are endless!) you can help us meet this need by hosting a food drive for us.

The collection of the food is up to you, you may gather extraneous non-perishable food items or choose one item from our list to attempt to fulfill. For example, this year we will need 300 Jars of peanut butter, 1500 soups, and 600 cans of corn.

If you're interested, give us a call at 630-221-8340 for more information, to arrange the timeline of your food drive, and for the list of food items we need!

Thanks in advance and happy collecting!

Karleen & the HSP Staff

How To Help: Entertainment Books!

By Karleen Hubbard


For those who would like to help HSP succeed in our mission to provide for the local needy, I will be posting "How to Help" updates periodically to let you know what needs are most prevalent for the organization and how you can act as a volunteer or donor to help us meet those needs.






Currently, we are on the lookout for sponsors. Specifically, we need donors to sponsor a needy senior citizen. Through monetary donations, seniors will receive monthly deliveries of fresh produce, meats, non-perishables, and personal care items.






One creative way to donate is through Entertainment coupon books. Fresh off the press, the 2010 coupon books are stocked at our offices in Carol Stream waiting to provide you with pages upon pages of savings. Coupons include discounts of up to 50% on restaurants, take out, attractions, shopping, travel, and more. Save on pizza, plane tickets, skydiving, and everything in between!





Call us at 630-221-8340 to request a West/South Entertainment Book for $20. If you can't make it to HSP (465 Randy Rd. in Carol Stream), mail order is available for an additional $3.





Thanks in advance for helping us meet our current biggest need! Enjoy your books!


Karleen & The HSP staff

Recent Happenings

by Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

This summer brought the return of Feed the Kids here at HSP. This year was a great success, and 259 families were provided with a month of groceries. Through June, July, and August, grocery packages were distributed to families. Each package included fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, meat, snacks, and non-perishables. Many grateful families send their thank-you's to the volunteers who donated the food. Especially appreciated were the fruits and veggies, which are vital for nutrition but too expensive for many families to purchase.

Still in full swing is the collection of school supplies for young students in the area. HSP, with the help of volunteers, is meeting the needs of both families and schools who do not have the means to purchase supplies to kick off this school year.

HSP is still receiving requests for school supplies, so donations are greatly appreciated. Volunteers may collect supplies and visit us in Carol Stream to drop them off. Any supply will do, including pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, backpacks, markers, colored pencils, erasers, and so on.

I'll leave you with a quote from a grateful mother and recipient of our School Supply Project...

"I am a single mother of 2 children and struggling, but thanks to your kindness
they had what they needed for school the first day! Words cannot express
grateful I am to all of you that made this possible! I prayed for a miracle and
my prayers were answered. May God bless you all!"

Thanks again to our amazing volunteers for their involvement in the School Supply Drive and Feed the Kids program this summer!

Until next time,
Karleen & The HSP Staff


PS Our address below if you'd like to donate school supplies:
465 Randy Rd.
Carol Stream, IL 60188

Or give us a call at: 630-221-8340

Welcome to the HSP blog!

by Karleen Hubbard
HSP Intern

As HSP's newest college intern, my first assignment is to create the first ever HSP blog. In hopes to keep you updated on our activities, I will be periodically posting news and statistics, ways to get involved, and thank you's to our spectacular volunteers. Expect pictures, videos, heartwarming personal stories, and quotes from volunteers and clients alike.

For those of you who may not know us, Humanitarian Service Project is a non-profit organization whose goal is to serve local needy families of DuPage and Kane counties through several different programs. Feed the Kids keeps the pantries of needy families stocked through the summer with fresh produce, nutritious snacks, meat, and non-perishables. The Senior Citizen Project reaches out to seniors in need with groceries, personal care items, and fun gifts from "secret pals." The Children's Birthday Project provides the children of needy families with a birthday to remember, including books, birthday games, party supplies, and of course gifts! The Christmas Offering helps 150 families with food and gifts for their children, and CBP kids and our seniors also receive giving tree gifts. Finally, HSP collects school supplies for those who cannot afford them, distributing them to both schools and individual families. Keep an eye out for blog posts on upcoming events at HSP and how you can get involved with us!

I sincerely hope you enjoy HSP's new blog. In the meantime, feel free to visit our website (http://www.humanitarianservice.org/) and check out our facebook page.


Karleen