Goodbye to Tom

Today, HSP says goodbye to intern Tom Redfield. Tom joined HSP just over a month ago as a Community Outreach Intern because of his love of community service. His days here were mainly spent reaching out to school service groups in order to coordinate food drives benefitting the seniors and families we serve. Tom will be graduating from Elmhurst College in December and needs to begin training for his new job, so his time at HSP has to come to an end. We would like to thank Tom for all the help he has given us during his time here. He was a great a great addition to the team, and while we are sad to see him go, we wish him luck as he begins this next chapter of his life.    

Senior Care Kits from the Church of the Latter Day Saints

Yesterday, HSP received a very generous donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Naperville. They collected the items and assembled a “senior care kit” for each of the 132 seniors in our Senior Citizen Project. The first half of these care kits were dropped off yesterday, the 2^nd half will come next week. Each care kit contains shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a toothbrush, dental floss, lotion, soap/body wash, hand sanitizer, and lip balm. These kits help ensure the needy seniors we serve have what they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These kits are included in their 100lb grocery deliveries every 3 months. We at HSP would like to thank everyone for making a tremendous difference in the lives of the seniors we serve.

Just Three Days to Enter HSP’s Raffle

There are just a few days remaining to purchase raffle tickets to win a number of great prizes at HSP’s Bowling Fundraiser. Prizes for the raffle include this 39” TV, an IPad Mini, a baseball signed by the White Sox pitcher John Danks, a number of gift cards to local businesses including Elements Massage; Butterfields pancake house, and Grahams Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream. Don’t worry, you don’t need to attend the event to win the raffle, but you do need to purchase tickets before the event this Thursday night. Raffle tickets are two dollars each or ten dollars for six tickets. All proceeds from the raffle will support the low-income children, seniors, and families we serve in our programs. Additionally, if you would like to attend our bowling event, there are last minute tickets available. Please contact HSP if you wish to buy raffle tickets and if you would like to join us for the bowling event.

A Big Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

Kristin Senne, HSP’s Executive Director, had the pleasure of representing us at the Kiwanis Club earlier this week.

            The members of the Kiwanis Club of St. Charles have generously aided their local community by sponsoring 9 low-income children currently enrolled in our Children’s Birthday Project. In total, HSP serves 925 underprivileged children, and each child receives a birthday box to celebrate their special day. Each box includes new toys, books, and party supplies.

            During her visit to the Kiwanis, Kristin thanked them for their loving support and spoke about their impact on the children they sponsor.

            If you have a group that would like to host an HSP speaker, one of our representatives would be happy to explain how you can aid the seniors, children, and families we serve. Every helping hand makes a difference, and we would be pleased to tell your group about our exciting service opportunities.

Allured Business Media Matching Campaign

We are only $3,928 from our goal with 22 days left to donate to HSP’s senior endowment campaign sponsored by Allured Business Media. Allured will match dollar for dollar donations up to $7,500 with the goal of permanently adding a new senior to our Senior Citizen Project (SCP). We at HSP want to thank those who have already generously donated; our goal of $16,000 is within reach. This endowment will add a senior to SCP and provide a monthly grocery delivery and other necessities for life.

Looking For Secret Pals

HSP is currently looking for 22 people who may be interested in participating in our Secret Pal program. This program is a great way to show a needy senior they are cared for. Each participant in the program is assigned to one of the seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project and buys them a small gift monthly. Gifts can include items to make the seniors’ lives easier such as laundry detergent, dish soap, or vitamins. They can also include items for the seniors’ personal enjoyment such as books, magazines, knitting supplies, or candy. Every month secret pals drop the gifts off at HSP’s center. They are then delivered to the seniors along with their 100 pound grocery deliveries. This is a program that our seniors really love, and there is nothing quite like bringing a smile to the face of someone so deserving.

2016 Entertainment Books are Available Now

Do you want to save money while having fun? HSP is a location where you can purchase an Entertainment Book. An Entertainment Book provides thousands of dollars in savings through coupons to restaurants and other businesses. Those who purchase the book also receive an app and online membership that provide even more coupons and savings. All the profits from these sales go to serving local seniors in need through our Senior Citizen Project. Books are available for $25 dollars and will be on sale until early December.  Stop by and pick up a book today!

Birthday Boxes to School

Today HSP is Delivering Birthday Boxes to underprivileged children at two of our partner schools. As part of the Child Birthday Project (CBP), every month HSP delivers birthday supplies and presents to schools with high populations of children in need. Today, our volunteer Dean Senne is taking the presents to Lake Park Elementary, and Two Rivers Head Start in St. Charles. CBP provides a memorable birthday experience for low income children, and allows their families to throw them the exciting birthday parties they deserve. HSP would like to give a special thanks to Dean for his service today.

HSP Prepares for another “Senior Delivery Day”

Tomorrow, HSP will be hosting its September “Delivery Day” for the low-income senior citizens enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. Our volunteers will be delivering over 6 and a half tons of groceries to provide vital nutrition to the seniors in the program. HSP would like to thank the numerous friends of the project who spent time today helping us with the final preparations for the event by sorting fresh produce and bread for the seniors. These are just a few of the hundreds of wonderful supporters who make the Senior Citizen Project a success. From those who donate food or funds, to the many volunteers who keep the program chugging along smoothly, HSP wishes to thank everyone who has enabled us to make a difference in the lives of the seniors who need us most!

Thanks to Volunteers From Meadows

Yesterday HSP gladly welcomed six volunteers from Meadows, an Intermediate Care Facility for adults with disabilities. Volunteers from Meadows have been coming to help out at HSP on almost a monthly basis. The hour they were here yesterday was spent sorting toilet paper for the low-income seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. Meadows is a group we are always pleased to welcome because they always show great enthusiasm for what they are doing and are constantly eager to serve. We enjoyed having them here and thank them for all that they do and for their continued support.

Thank You Friends of Michael Tom

HSP wants to give a special thanks to the Friends of Michael Tom. F.O.M.T is a charitable group of motorcycle enthusiasts who raise funds for those in need, in memory of their late family member Michael Tom. The group hosts numerous charitable outings throughout the year and the proceeds are then donated to a charity chosen by the group. This year HSP was honored to be F.O.M.Ts chosen charity. Their fundraising events included a chip run, a golf outing and a charity ride last month. Yesterday Jennifer from F.O.M.T dropped off a 3500 donation from their amazing fundraising efforts. HSP would like to thank them for their generosity, and for helping make a difference in the lives of the seniors and children enrolled in our programs. 

Most Needed Food Items

With our Senior Citizen Project delivery day coming up this Saturday, HSP will be distributing over 6 and a half tons of groceries to low income seniors. In order to make this happen every month, HSP relies on supporters for food drives.  HSP is in dire need of the following items: canned meat, tuna, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit, canned veggies, soup, pasta and rice meals. These items are in particular need as HSP prepares to distribute groceries through our Christmas Offering, in addition to continuing our monthly deliveries to seniors. Individuals can make donations, and groups can run food drives (a good way to get the whole family involved in service, and to help HSP continue to make a difference for the seniors and families who need us most). 

Welcome Amanda Harding

HSP is excited to be welcoming Amanda Harding to our team as an intern. She graduated from NIU with a bachelors in English and hopes to go into publishing. Amanda was very involved in community service back in high school, and would like to be able to keep up with it, that’s why she came to HSP. While she is here she hopes to build on her education, and develop her communication skills. She describes herself as an avid reader and a musical theater enthusiast, so in her spare time you can find her reading Harry Potter, Stephen King, and for a fun night out you can find her at a musical. HSP is grateful to have Amanda with us through the Fall.

Blessed x2 with Volunteer Groups!

           Today HSP was blessed to have two volunteer groups spend a day of service with us. First, a group of ten volunteers from EMC Corp. spent nearly the entire day wrapping birthday presents for our Children’s Birthday Project. HSP always wraps birthday gifts for children with winter and spring birthdays in the early autumn to focus on the Christmas Offering later in the year, so we appreciate EMC’s hard work and generosity.

            In addition to EMC, we were also thrilled to have six volunteers from the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity of Elmhurst College spend two hours of their time helping sort bread and other groceries for the low-income seniors we serve. This group was led by a former HSP intern, Erik Maranto, and we were delighted to have them help. 

Volunteers from Giant Steps

Today HSP was delighted to host volunteers from Giant Steps. These eager volunteers spent over an hour helping us sort paper products for the seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. Loyal volunteers from Giant Steps come in to help out numerous times throughout the year and we are happy to have them. These volunteers are always very motivated and excited to serve. Their support enables us to make a difference in senior’s lives and we at the Humanitarian Service Project wish to thank them for their dedication and hard work!

HSP Bowl for Those in Need

Have you purchased your tickets? Just two more weeks to purchase tickets for HSP’s bowling fundraiser! The HSP team and our generous supporters would love to have you join us for a fun filled night of bowling! For only $25, you will enjoy 3 games of Scotch Bowling (partner bowling), a pizza buffet, and a raffle with a number of prizes including a brand new TV, an ipad mini, and several items from remarkable local businesses all to support the seniors, children, and families served by HSP.  You do not want to miss this fun event! Please contact HSP for more information by calling 630-221-8340, sending us an email at HSP@humanitarianservice.org or feel free to check out our Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1624565201134452/ 

Personal Care Items Needed

Every three months HSP includes a “personal care kit” along with the monthly grocery delivery to the seniors in our Senior Citizen Project. These kits provide the seniors with the hygiene items they need to care for themselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We currently are in need of 35 complete care kits, and particularly need conditioner, and body wash/soap.

You can help by organizing a “personal care kit” drive or putting together a kit.

A full kit includes the following items:

-1 Shampoo    - 1 Conditioner

-1 Lip Balm     -1 Toothbrush

-2 Toothpastes  -1 Dental Floss

-1 Hand Sanitizer  –3 Lotions (smaller sizes preferred)

-4 Bars of soap or body wash (1 body wash= 2 soap bars)

Completed care kits or donations can be dropped off at HSP!

Welcoming Taylor Barnes

HSP is happy to welcome Taylor Barnes, the newest member of our intern team. Taylor started working for us this Wednesday. She is a Psychology major at Elmhurst College and hopes to one day have her own practice as a social worker. Taylor told us she is excited about having the opportunity to help those in need. She has been involved in community service since high school. Some of her notable experiences have included, playing the violin at nursing homes, Relay for life, Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering at the Human Resource Center. When she isn’t busy with school and service, Taylor’s interests include Juggling, learning about history, and Harry Potter. HSP is grateful to be welcoming an intern who has such a strong passion for helping others’. 

HSP Bowl for Those in Need

HSP is very excited to host our very first bowling fundraiser event! Join us on October 1^st from 6-9pm at Fox Bowl located at 1101 Butterfield Road, Wheaton, IL. The event will consist of 3 games of Scotch Bowling (partner bowling), a pizza buffet, and a raffle with a number of prizes including a new TV, an ipad mini, and several items from wonderful local businesses. Tickets are only $25 and all proceeds support our programs. So come out and have a night of fun while supporting a worthy cause. We’d love to have you all there! Tickets must be purchased ahead of time by 9/23.  Please contact HSP for more information by calling 630-221-8340, sending us an email at HSP@humanitarianservice.org or feel free to check out our Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1624565201134452/.

Endowment Campaign: Help a Senior in Need

With the generosity of the Allured Business Media of Carol Stream, HSP is currently conducting a matching endowment campaign. Until October 16^th of 2015, Allured will match every dollar donated to the campaign up to $7,500. The goal of the campaign is to raise a $16,000 endowment that will permanently add a new senior into our Senior Citizen Project. This program has a major impact by providing individuals with essential nutrition for the rest of their lives. “I never thought I would be on the receiving end of your generosity,” said Carol, a senior, upon retrieving her groceries. These donations mean a great deal to those in need. In fact, some seniors have even referred to our organization as a “good family” of hardworking and helpful individuals. 

School Supply Delivery

Today is a big day for HSP as we had our last major school supply distribution for our school supply drive this year. Today our volunteers Bill Fehling and Vinnie Nedrow graciously delivered two vanloads of supplies to five local schools with high populations of low-income children. This was thanks to everyone who participated in the School Supply Drive. In total, more than 3,000 underprivileged students received the supplies they need to succeed in school. We at HSP are glad we could send supplies to children in need; the children we serve are now ready to start the school year prepared for learning! HSP collects supplies and distributes them to needy children all year round through our Children’s Birthday Project, so if you didn’t make it in time for this delivery, there is still the opportunity to help. We are extremely grateful for the kindhearted support of everyone involved in making our school drive a success!