Happy New Year from HSP

As 2015 comes to a close, we at HSP wish to take this time to reflect upon the year. It certainly was a busy year for us as we continued our mission of serving the senior citizens, children, and families struggling in poverty in our communities. In response to ever increasing need, HSP reached new heights in 2015, with many of our programs serving more people than ever before.  This would not have been possible if it were not for the many volunteers, donors, and other friends of HSP who lent their support to our programs throughout the year. We at HSP wish to thank everyone who shared their love and generosity to help us make a difference in the lives of those who truly need us. Have a Happy New Year, and we hope you will all join us for a wonderful 2016!

Thanks for a Successful Christmas Offering

With so many children, families, and seniors served over the past few weeks, there is much to be done at HSP as we close out the Christmas Offering for 2015. As the dust settles, we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the program a success. There were hundreds of volunteers who lent their support, from those who helped package food or organize gifts in our warehouse, to those who assisted in the distributions to the families and seniors. There were also many more that helped make the program possible by generously donating food and toys. Additionally, we’d like to thank those who gave monetary support, enabling us to provide for the families in our communities who need us most.

Thanks to all of those who provided assistance, HSP was able to make the holidays brighter and more joyous for the members of our communities who are impacted most by poverty. HSP wishes to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made our Christmas Offering possible!

HSP Searching for “Secret Pals” for Seniors

HSP is looking for community members interested in signing up for our Secret Pal program! “Secret Pal” donors sign up to provide monthly gifts to one, or more, of the 133 low-income senior citizens in our Senior Citizen Project. These gifts, between a $5 and $25 value, can be either:

-Things the seniors need but cannot afford, such as, laundry detergent and stamps

-Fun items to show they are cared for, such as, puzzles and books

            Currently, we have 25 seniors in need of secret pals. Our seniors our always so touched and grateful for the generosity of the secret pal donors. If you would be interested in participating in our Secret Pal program, please contact HSP at 630-221-8340, or email us at hsp@humanitarianservice.org for more info.

Merry Christmas from HSP!

It is a happy day at HSP, as our 2015 Christmas Offering program comes to a close. The final families being served by the program will be picking up gifts for their children today. Over the past few weeks, HSP has distributed groceries and gifts to hundreds of families in need throughout DuPage and Kane counties. Thankfully, we had a lot of support. We wish to thank each and every friend of HSP who donated toys, food, their time, or their resources for the sake of the deserving children and families served by this program. Together, we have made a difference in the lives of so many. So, from all of us at HSP, we want to wish a happy and joyous holiday season to all of our supporters! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

A Huge “Thank You” to the Science of Spirituality

HSP would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our friends at the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville. The members of the SOS collected money to purchase toys and food for the sake of the low-income children, and seniors we serve.  Throughout yesterday and today, HSP’s Executive Director, Kristin Senne, along with Science of Spirituality member Aseem Grover have purchased greatly needed toys and non-perishable food items with these funds.

The Science of Spirituality has become a great supporter of HSP over the past two years, and have done so much for the sake of seniors, children, and families in need in our communities. We want to thank them for this amazing outpouring of generosity!

HSP would also like to thank the Aldi stores in Naperville and Wheaton for their amazing service helping to facilitate this wonderful donation from the Science of Spirituality.

Season’s Greetings to our Volunteers

Today HSP’s Christmas Offering continues into its final week, as we are serving more and more low-income families from our waiting list. With over 2,000 children receiving gifts through this program, HSP has relied on the support of our wonderful volunteers in order to serve so many. Today, we received support from the “South Outreach” club from Wheaton-Warrenville South High School, our friends from the “Panther chapter” of the Young Men’s Service League, and even a group of former HSP interns who dropped by to lend a hand.

With so many in our communities in need of help, HSP has hosted hundreds of amazing volunteers over the past few months to make our Christmas Offering a success. We wish to extend our sincerest thanks to all of these volunteers for helping HSP serve these deserving children and families.

More Families Served!

HSP’s Christmas Offering is moving along! Today we will be distributing gifts and holiday groceries to over 100 low-income families who signed up for our Christmas waiting list. It is thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated toys that HSP was able to serve these deserving families. Along with these 100+ families, HSP will continue to distribute to other waiting list families until next Wednesday.

Thank you to everyone who made this Christmas Offering a success, as it would not be possible without our wonderful donors and the hard work of our volunteers! 

Senior Christmas Gift Distribution

Today is another exciting day at HSP as our volunteers will be delivering Christmas gifts to the 133 seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. Throughout the day volunteers will becoming in and picking up gifts and delivering them straight to the senior’s homes. These gifts were generously provided by our “Giving Tree” donors. The deserving seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project look forward to receiving these wonderful gifts from their wish lists. We want to thank both the volunteers for delivering these gifts, and all the donors who made this distribution possible. 

Thank You to Three Wonderful Interns

Amanda

This week HSP is bidding farewell to three wonderful members of our intern team who have completed their internships. These three; Amanda Harding, Lakeena Kupoluyi, and Taylor Barnes have been part of the HSP team since the beginning of fall. Each of them has used their talents and skills to help HSP serve the deserving seniors, children, and families enrolled in our programs. We wish to thank them for all they have contributed to HSP and wish them well as they move on to new chapters in their lives and careers!

Taylor

Lakeena

Another Successful Christmas Distribution

Today HSP’s Christmas Offering continued as we distribute gifts and holiday groceries to

another 140+ low-income families. Christmas is a time of love and giving, and we at HSP are extremely grateful to have gracious volunteers and donors help us make a difference in the lives of deserving families. We had a number of volunteers lend a hand in order to help distribute today, including groups from KinderCare, Vistex, The DuPage Unitarian Society, Young Men’s Service League, National Charity League, and a number of other individual volunteers and longtime friends of HSP. HSP would like to thank everyone who helped make our distribution a success.

Christmas Offering Distribution

Volunteers from Downers Grove South Key Club
with some of the gifts distributed on Saturday. 

Saturday was a big day for HSP, as we distributed gifts and groceries to 150 of the low-income families served by our Christmas Offering. Each family received over 200 lbs. of groceries which included; fresh produce, frozen meat, bread, non-perishables, and a turkey for a holiday meal. Every child in these families also received a minimum of three Christmas gifts. There were over 60 volunteers who helped us serve these deserving families. We want to thank them all for making the day a success.

HSP’s Christmas Offering marches on this week. Today, we are distributing to low-income students at Army Trail Elementary school in Addison, and tomorrow we will be distributing to another 140 or so families directly from our Center. We wish to extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers and donors who have made this possible!

Let's Get Started!

The Christmas Offering has officially begun! Today, HSP will be distributing Christmas gifts to all the 500+ children at Currier Elementary. Additionally, tomorrow we will have 150 families picking up over 200 lbs. of groceries each, along with gifts for their children.

            HSP wishes to thank all the wonderful volunteers who helped us prepare for this event today, including groups from the Kiwanis Club of Oak Brook, KinderCare, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions, as well as many individual volunteers and longtime friends. The Christmas Offering would not be possible without their generous support! 

Good Night. Sleep Tight

HSP received a wonderful donation of 100+ “Good Night Sleep Tight” bundles from a project run by two young women, Ana Powell and Connie Linardos. These bundles include a book, a pair of pajamas, and either a blanket for older children or a stuffed animal for younger kids. This is the 3rd year in a row HSP has received many of these kits. Ana and Connie run the program by going out to community friends and family members for donations in order to make the bundles. These packages will help many children in need have comfy nights as the weather gets colder. We at HSP and the children and families we serve are extremely grateful for the generosity of Ana and Connie.

Beginning of Christmas Gift Distribution

A group of volunteers from Westin Hotels

A group of volunteers from Kindercare

This week, HSP will begin distributing Christmas gifts along with groceries to the deserving children and families served by our Christmas Offering. With the amount of gifts and food leaving our center for those who need it most, it has taken the assistance of many wonderful volunteers to keep us on track. So far this week we have had a number of great groups lend their assistance, including those from: LaForce, Insight, St. Alphonsus Church, Westin Hotels, Kindercare, Clarke Mosquito, and the Roselle Lions Club.  We have also welcomed many individual and regular volunteers who have given us much of their time to help make our Christmas Offering possible. We would like to thank everyone for their support!

Thank you to our Food and Toy Drive Donors

Over the past few weeks HSP has received a number of generous food and toy donations for the sake of the children, families, and seniors we serve. We wanted to take this opportunity to recognize a few of them and extend our appreciation to all those who have participated.  On Saturday we received a drop off from Glenbard South High School’s National Honors Society. They canvassed their neighborhoods with flyers asking for non-perishable food donations, and spent Saturday morning going door to door picking up donations. They ended up with 5 carloads of food. These wonderful students gave their time and energy to make sure needy families will not go without food this Christmas season.

Yesterday, HSP had a visit from “Team NM”, an employee volunteer group from Northwestern Medicine. They organized a toy drive for the children and families we serve; associates from Northwestern Medicine offices and locations from all over the area donated toys.  This group of volunteers dropped off a full van of toys and gift cards. We at HSP wish to thank all of our gracious donors for giving their time and support. 

Thanks to our "Boxing Party" Volunteers

We would like to thank all of the volunteers who came out to help us at our “Boxing Party” on Saturday. During the three hour event, the volunteers helped us prepare gifts for the first 230+ families we will serve this Christmas. The volunteers also diligently ensured that all of the children will receive a minimum of three gifts. The first distribution days for Christmas are coming up this week, and it would not be possible without the support of all the wonderful volunteers.

Busy Bees Today!

HSP is very busy today! “Giving Tree” gifts for both our seniors and children are due today, and both our monthly Senior Delivery Day and our Christmas “Boxing Party” for the families are tomorrow. 

In addition, we have several volunteer groups with us today, helping us deal with the hustle and bustle. These groups include Kia Motors, ENC Corporation, Chubb Insurance, and The Rotary Club of Bloomingdale and Roselle. Along with these groups, we also have a number of longtime individual volunteers to assist us during this busy time of year.

 

Toys from Accurate Personnel

Yesterday evening HSP received a very generous donation from Accurate Personnel in Carol Stream. The wonderful associates at Accurate donated a huge truck full of toys for the needy children we will be serving this Christmas. Accurate Personnel has been a huge supporter of HSP for years, annually participating in our Christmas Offering since 2008. We cannot thank them enough for all the kindness and generosity they have shown us throughout the years. We greatly appreciate their continued support! 

Giving Tuesday

Today is “Giving Tuesday” a day in which people throughout the world give to charitable organizations near and dear to them. Today our friends at Network for Good are running a partial matching campaign to increase the impact of Giving Tuesday. For every $25 donated they will make a $1 donation to HSP. Please consider donating to help HSP serve families in need through our Christmas Offering. If you are interested please go to: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/hsp. 

A Huge Thank You to Our Giving Tree Donors

Today, we have had numerous donors generously bring in toy drives and “giving tree” gifts for the sake of the needy children we will serve this Christmas. We want to thank everyone who has signed up for giving trees and conducted toy drives. Today, HSP will be delivering Christmas gifts to children at St. Charles Head Start, and your kindness has made this possible.

Every day, HSP receives calls from parents who are struggling to make ends meet hoping to get their children placed on our Christmas waiting list. We want to thank everyone who has already signed up to help the children we will serve this Christmas. Anyone who would like to help brighten the holidays for a child or children in need can still sign up for giving trees. Contact HSP if you are interested.

Happy Thanksgiving From HSP!

HSP would like to wish all of our supporters a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. In recognition of the holiday, HSP will be closed tomorrow and Friday. When we resume operation next week, we will continue preparations for our Christmas Offering. To help us as the holidays draw nearer, our friends at National Van Lines dropped off a trailer which will be used to store gifts for the children we serve at Christmas. We would like to thank National Van Lines for their generosity and years of support!

HSP is Thankful for our Volunteers

Over the past couple of days we have had a number of volunteers who graciously gave their time to help as we prepare to enter the busiest part of our Christmas Offering.  As Hsp will endeavor to distribute more than 25 tons of groceries, and gifts for over 2,000 children during December, our Christmas Offering requires the support of a number of volunteers. Yesterday, six caring volunteers from Vistex effortlessly helped us sort and organize personal care items and food in our warehouse as we prepare for our giving trees to come in the next week. Today, a kind group from St.Pius X church’s Youth Ministry volunteered their time to help us prepare for the fast, approaching, and very busy, month of December. These wonderful volunteers helped us prepare our warehouse for the many gifts we are about to receive. HSP is grateful for all the love and support from both of these wonderful volunteers.  

Food Drive from the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva

Last week, HSP received approximately 100 bags of greatly needed non-perishable food collected by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (UUSG.).  This generous donation was dropped off in three stages by our friends at UUSG. HSP would like to thank everyone at UUSG for this amazing donation of food.  Through our annual Christmas Offering, HSP distributes 25 tons of groceries to families and seniors in our programs. It is food drives like this one from UUSG that allows HSP to continually provide much needed services to the poverty-stricken members of our communities. If you too would like to be involved in a food drive, please do not hesitate to contact HSP. 

Volunteer Groups Galore

Volunteers from Young Men's Service League

It has been an exciting week at Humanitarian Service Project as we are deep into the preparation stage of our Christmas Offering program. We will be distributing groceries to hundreds of low-income families and gifts to approximately 2,000 children through this program, so there are many things to prepare. Thankfully, over the last couple of days, we have had a number of volunteer groups from local schools generously give their time to help us keep these preparations going smoothly. We wish to recognize these groups for their amazing support:

Yesterday afternoon, the Rotolo Middle School Builders Club came to visit HSP for a tour and to lend a hand in our warehouse.

Yesterday, evening we hosted a group from the Young Men’s Service League “Panther” Chapter, a volunteer group based out of Glenbard North High School for young men and their mothers, who help sort and wrap gifts for our Christmas Offering.

Volunteers from Pleasantdale Middle School

Today, we had 11 volunteers from Pleasantdale Middle School help sort food in our warehouse, as well as, 10 of our friends from Team AIM at Glenbard North who helped sort and wrap gifts for the children we serve.

We at HSP wish to thank all of these groups for helping us make the holidays brighter for the very deserving children, families, and senior citizens we serve.

DuPage Woodworkers

Yesterday HSP was delighted to be invited to a meeting of our friends at the DuPage Woodworkers Club. Every year, the members of the club handcraft thousands of toys for needy children at Christmas time. HSP is so thankful that the club has, once again, chosen us as one of the agencies to distribute their toys to those kids in need; this year, the club made a total of 1,666 toys. At the meeting last night HSP’s Executive Director, Kristin Senne had the opportunity to talk to club members and thank them for their generous donation. We at HSP are extremely grateful to be chosen as one of the recipients of such beautiful handcrafted toys; the families and children we serve will surely have a joyful Christmas.

Thanks to Zurich NA Volunteers

Today, HSP welcomed 22 volunteers from our friends at Zurich North America. They spent 2 and a half hours at HSP doing various activities to help the needy children, families, and seniors in our programs. Half of the group helped us box non-perishable food for 150 of the needy families served by our Christmas Offering. The other half helped restock our pantry with non-perishable food for our seniors, as well as created “snack bags” for the families in our Christmas Offering. We would like to thank them all of them for coming out and for all of their hard work today. Their high energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness to serve was much appreciated. Additionally, we would like to thank them for the generous monetary donation they presented HSP with to aid the children we serve. They were wonderful volunteers, and we would be more than happy to have them here again next year!

Thank You to Our Friends at Motorola Solutions

HSP would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to our volunteers Lisa Zak, Dann Hauber, and our friends at Motorola Solutions for a very creative contribution. Lisa and Dann, who regularly lend their time to HSP as volunteers, entered a costume contest with a few friends and won a cash prize. Instead of splitting the winnings, they decided to donate to our organization and help the many seniors, children, and families we serve. As a bonus, Lisa’s workplace, Motorola Solutions, matched the amount Lisa won and donated. Based on the photo HSP received of Lisa, Dann, and company decked out in costume as the cast of The Wizard of Oz, it looks like they had a lot of fun.  We are so grateful they found this unique way to help HSP serve the impoverished seniors, children, and families. We thank them so much for their brains, hearts, and, of course, their courage!

Thanks for Another Successful Delivery Day

This past Saturday was HSP’s monthly Delivery Day for our Senior Citizen Project. We would like to thank all of the amazing volunteers who came out and helped us this weekend. This program would not be possible without all of your hard work and dedication. On the Friday before the event, we welcomed 7 volunteers from UPS, who spent their time here sorting fresh produce and bread. The volunteers are here on the day before every senior Deliver Day, and we are so appreciative of their support. We would also like to thank all of the wonderful people who volunteered on Saturday to load and deliver groceries to the 133 seniors in our program. The continued success of the Senior Citizen Project is thanks to the generosity and support of these volunteers. We hope to see you again next time!

Secret Pals

This Saturday is the monthly Delivery Day for HSP’s Senior Citizen Project. Along with the nutritious groceries, many of the impoverished seniors in the program will receive a gift from our dedicated “Secret Pal” donors. These wonderful volunteers always make sure the gifts to our seniors fit their personalities and needs; each gift is thoughtful and comforting.

 The seniors in our program look forward to receiving secret pal gifts and are always filled with joy and delight upon receiving their gifts. During the month of December the seniors we serve will receive gifts through Christmas Offering program instead of the Secret Pal program, making this Saturday’s delivery the final Secret Pal gift distribution of the year. We at HSP would like to thank all of the faithful Secret Pals who are making the difference in the lives of the seniors we serve. When the program starts back up in January, we have many seniors who need pals. If you would be interested in learning more about, or joining, the Secret Pal program please contact HSP at 630.221.8340 or email us at hsp@humanitatianservice.org. 

Elmhurst College and BMW Volunteers

Over the past couple days, HSP has welcomed amazing volunteers from two different groups who took time out of their schedules to help us get ready for the holidays. Yesterday afternoon we were joined by 4 volunteers from the Sigma Kappa Sorority at Elmhurst College. They spent their time here sorting gifts and making gift packages for the children we serve at Christmas.

Today, for the third year in a row we welcomed back volunteers from BMW. They helped us prepare for the holidays by boxing up nonperishable items for the families we serve at Christmastime. This Christmas, 150 low-income families will each receive a 250 pound grocery package, and BMW spent five hours sorting through nonperishable items and making boxes for each of the families. We are very appreciative to both groups for giving up so much of their time to come and help the deserving people we serve. HSP wishes to thank each and every one of them for their kindness and support, and we would be glad to welcome them here again.

Young Men’s Service League

Yesterday HSP had a visit from 5 wonderful volunteers from the Carol Stream “Panther” chapter of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL). This is a group for young men and their mothers to engage in community service projects. These young men and their mothers generously gave time out of their day off to help organize toys and create gift packages for the needy children we serve. YMSL is a very prolific volunteer group at HSP who give so much time and energy for the sake of assisting those we serve. We enjoyed having them and wish to extend a hearty thank you to YMSL for their love and support.

Looking to Spread Holiday Cheer This Christmas?

HSP is in the midst of preparing for its annual Christmas Offering, where we will serve over 2,000 needy children with gifts. This means we are in need of a lot of toys and books. We have an especially large need for gifts for older children ages 8-15. If you wish to help spread holiday cheer to these deserving children, please consider running a toy or book drive. Alternatively, if you would like to provide gifts for specific children or senior citizens, contact HSP to sign up for a “giving tree.” Your generosity will help make the holidays merry for so many deserving families.

Thank you Glencrest Middle School!

Today, HSP had a volunteer group come in from Glen Crest Middle School in Glen Ellyn. This student group, along with their leader Craig Hoffman, helped sort and prepare 150 bags of frozen meat for the families we serve in our Christmas Offering. Students from Glen Crest have volunteered at HSP for many years, and we want to thank them for their continuous support!  

Girl Scout Troops 40215 & 2008

This week HSP hosted two wonderful Girl Scout groups who generously volunteered their time to help us support the seniors, children, and families we serve. First, on Monday afternoon we had 5 volunteers from Troop 40215 who spent two hours organizing paper products for the seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project.  Secondly, yesterday, 9, volunteers from Troop 2008 helped prepare bags of personal hygiene products for our seniors. These troops truly understand the Girl Scout motto, “A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed”.  We at HSP thank Troops 40215 and 2008 for staying true to Scouts Honor by helping the deserving seniors, children, and families enrolled in our programs. 

Want to Help Create a Merry Christmas for Those in Need?

Yesterday, HSP’s amazing volunteer Bill Fehling picked up a food drive from Benjamin Middle School in West Chicago. The students and staff at the school collected several boxes of nonperishable food for the impoverished seniors, children, and families we serve.

As the holidays draw nearer, we are preparing to provide groceries to over 400 families in need. We would like to thank everyone at Benjamin Middle School for helping us toward our goal. However, we are still looking for people interested in helping us make the holidays merry for so many deserving families. Items we are in need of include the following: tuna, boxed stuffing, pasta/rice meals, main meals (hearty soups and ravioli, chili). If you or a group you are involved in would be interested in conducting a food drive, please contact HSP. 

Care Kits from the Chicago Shinnyo-En Temple

Over the weekend the members of the Chicago Shinnyo-En Temple assembled “Personal Care Kits” for the seniors we serve. Every three months each of the 133 seniors in our program receives a full kit that includes items such as 1  Shampoo; 1 Conditioner; 1 Lip balm; 1 Toothbrush; 2 Toothpastes; 1 Dental Floss;   1 Hand Sanitizer; 3 Lotions; and 4 Bars of soap or body wash. These kits provide the seniors with the hygiene items they need to care for themselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Shinnyo-En members have been supporting our seniors with these kits as an annual service project for 4 years. Our longtime volunteer, Georgeann Georges, graciously represented HSP at the event and delivered the kits to HSP yesterday. We at HSP are extremely grateful for the love and support Chicago Shinnyo -En Temple has shown to the seniors enrolled in our programs. 

Tis the Season for Giving Trees!

HSP is looking for donors interested in providing gifts for children or seniors in need by signing up for “Giving Trees”. Each Giving Tree donor is given the name of a child or senior, as well as the age and gender of the child. Additionally, donors receive gift ideas for the child or the wish list of the senior. The donors then purchase and wrap at least one new toy or gift for each child and/or senior. The gifts are delivered to our center by December 4^th so that we can distribute them to the families and seniors. If you or someone you know would be interested in brightening the holidays for a child or senior in need, please contact HSP.

Happy Halloween from HSP!

HSP would like to wish all of our supporters a very Happy Halloween! Since we will not be in the office tomorrow, we at HSP came in today decked out in costume. Halloween represents an important watershed at HSP as it marks the beginning of our holiday hours. Starting on Monday November 2^nd, our hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. every weekday. These will be HSP’s hours throughout the months of November and December.

Ray Graham & Montini

With preparations underway for our Christmas Offering program, things are quite exciting at HSP. Over the last 2 days we’ve had two groups come in to lend their support, Ray Graham Center and Montini Catholic High School.  Yesterday 10 dedicated volunteers from Ray Graham center sorted paper products for seniors in our Senior Citizen Project.  Today we are fortunate to have the wonderful sophomore class of Montini Catholic High School help with sorting gifts for Christmas. These diligent volunteers are truly making a difference in the lives of needy seniors and children in our community. HSP is extremely grateful for all of the phenomenal volunteers willing to give their time to help those in need.