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. 

Thanks to local Elementary Schools for Food Drives

Yesterday HSP received two very generous food drives, both collected by staff and students at two local elementary schools: Evergreen Elementary in Carol Stream and Lake Park Elementary in Addison. Evergreen Elementary ran a food drive over the last couple weeks and dropped off 25 boxes of food yesterday. Lake Park Elementary ran a food drive last week, and our volunteer, Bill Fehling, picked up 16 boxes of food from them yesterday. We would like to thank both schools for their tremendous generosity and support, especially as we enter the holiday season.

HSP is now preparing for our annual Christmas Offering. In addition to providing food to 133 seniors each month, HSP will distribute an estimated 25 tons of groceries to needy families during the holidays. We wish to thank everyone at Evergreen and Lake Park Elementary for helping us toward this goal. If you, or a group you are involved with, would be interested in running a food drive, please contact HSP.  

Birthday Boxes Delivered to Schools

Today our volunteer Bill Fehling graciously delivered birthday boxes for the low-income children we serve at Lake Park Elementary, Army Trail Elementary in Addison, Currier Elementary School in West Chicago, and Head Start in Carol Stream, with November birthdays.  Each Birthday Box contains 6-10 new toys,  4-7 new books; a game or activity kit; plush animals; several smaller gifts such as bubbles, yo-yos, and card games; school supplies; and a “Party-in-a-Bag” with cake mix and frosting, candles, party favors, cups, plates, napkins, and more! HSP maintains partnerships with these schools and a few others with high populations of children living in poverty. Thank you to all involved in making the children in our Children’s Birthday Project feel special!

Senior Endowment Campaign A Success

A volunteer loading groceries for one of the seniors 

enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project

HSP concluded its Senior Endowment Campaign sponsored by Allured Business Media to provide a lifetime of groceries to a senior in need. We are incredibly excited to announce that we have reached our goal! With the $7,500 donation match from Allured, we have raised $16,000 to permanently add a new senior to the Senior Citizen Project. Due to this campaign, a low-income senior in Dupage County will receive a monthly delivery of nutritious groceries and other necessities for life. HSP would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this campaign. Your generosity will help us forever change the life of a senior in need.

Volunteerism x2!

HSP ended this week with the help of two wonderful volunteer groups. First, we had a group of 9 volunteers from Essendant in Carol Stream. These volunteers spent several hours boxing non-perishable food to be distributed to low income families through our Christmas Offering. Essendant has been a longtime supporter of HSP, and we were extremely grateful to host them today!

In addition to Essendant, we also had 12 volunteers join us today from Consecra Housing Management. These generous individuals helped us sort gifts for the children we will serve this Christmas, and we were delighted to have them join us!

We wish to thank these wonderful volunteer groups for giving their time and energy to help us serve those who need us most. 

Secret Pals

Currently HSP has 20 seniors who are without Secret Pals. Through the “Secret Pal” program volunteer donors provide a senior with a small gift each month, which is included in their monthly grocery delivery. These fun surprises provide seniors with the knowledge that there are those who love them and are thinking of them.

Items include:

-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

-Or items to make their lives easier such as a gift card for prescriptions 

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.

The Christmas Season is Beginning

Christmas may be two months away, but HSP is hard at work preparing for its 37^th Christmas Offering. Last holiday season, HSP served over 2,000 children as well as provided over 25 tons of groceries to needy families and seniors. With so many to serve, HSP is looking for those willing to help us make the holidays happy for those in need. There are a few different ways to help out. If you would like to provide gifts for a specific child or children, sign up for a Giving Tree. Conducting food drives and toy drives are other great ways to help. You can also provide groceries to a family for a $60.00 donation. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to volunteers from COD, Team Aim, and Cantigny

Today HSP was excited to host three volunteer groups, students from COD, Team Aim from Glenbard North High School, and Cantigny. 10 eager student volunteers from COD spent two hours sorting food for the families enrolled in our Christmas Offering. These volunteers are truly practicing servant leadership by helping to make a difference in the lives of needy citizens in their community.  Team Aim, from Glenbard North High School, spent several hours sorting paper products for the 133 seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. All eight of the enthusiastic volunteers exhibited great work ethic and team spirit.  The Four dedicated volunteers from Cantigny spent all day with us, helping to prepare gift bags for the children we will serve through our Christmas Offering. We wish to extend an enormous thank you to all the volunteers responsible for making today successful. 

Thanks for another successful Delivery Day

On Saturday, HSP held its monthly Delivery Day, distributing over six tons of nutritious groceries to the 132 low-income seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. This program would not be possible without the numerous people who contribute to its continued success every month. We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in helping out this weekend:  the drivers who delivered the groceries, the loaders who packed the drivers’ cars, volunteers from UPS Supply Chain Solutions in Carol Stream who sorted bread and produce on Friday, and everyone else who devoted their time and resources to make this day successful. Our seniors appreciate your generosity, and HSP appreciates the support. 

Introducing two more interns!

We are excited to announce that two new student interns have joined us from Adler University. Both of them will be completing their first year practicum at HSP, conducting interviews and writing “updates” about the low-income seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. These two interns are:

Lauren Klancic, a counseling and art therapy student at Adler University. She is potentially interested in working with people with eating disorders. She says she is excited to work with seniors for the first time. Before attending Adler, Lauren received a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Western Kentucky and then worked in event planning. Lauren loves sewing and traveling, and she even studied abroad in Italy!

Sarah Yerkes, a student in the Forensic program at Adler who eventually wants to work with victims/survivors of crimes. Prior to her education at Adler, Sarah studied psychology and criminology at UIC. She is excited to be working with our seniors, and she enjoys yoga and reading!

We are delighted to welcome them to HSP! 

Help a Senior: Endowment Campaign Ends Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the final day to contribute to HSP’s senior endowment campaign sponsored by Allured Business Media. We are close to reaching our goal of $16,000. Every dollar counts and we are counting on our community to help us reach our goal.  We encourage anyone who is able to donate to help us permanently support a local senior in need. This endowment will add a senior to our Senior Citizen Project (SCP) and provide a 100lb monthly grocery delivery and other necessities for life. HSP would like to thank those who have already generously contributed to this worthy cause.

Batavia Mothers' Club Autumn Craft Show

This Saturday, October 17, the Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation’s 30^th Annual Autumn Arts and Crafts Show will take place from 9am-3pm at Batavia High School. The Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation is devoted to helping children and families in need and support a number of local causes including HSP’s summer time Feed the Kids program. This Craft Show is the group’s largest annual fundraiser, featuring a wide variety of unique hand-crafted goods. Additionally, the event will include a bake sale, charity raffle, 50/50 raffle, and lunch services. Admission is $5.00 or $4.00 with a donation to the Access Toy Drive. They look forward to seeing everyone there this weekend to make this year’s event another huge success.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

This weekend HSP was invited to the 90^th Anniversary of Assumption Greek Orthodox church in Chicago. For their 90^th anniversary the church took on the very ambitious and generous goal of performing 90 service projects in the year dubbed the “90 Acts of Kindness”. HSP was honored as one of the recipient organizations of this program.  As one of the 90 service projects, the church opted to make “party in a bag kits” for the children in our Children’s Birthday Project. These kits include cake mix, frosting, balloons, party hats, plates, napkins, tablecloths, party favors, candles, and party decorations, all of the items the children in our program need to have a joyous and memorable birthday experience. HSP’s CFO and cofounder, Floyd Kettering, visited the church this past Sunday to thank them for their generosity and to tell them what an impact they had on those in need.

DuKane ABATE Toy and Food Run

On Sunday, HSP was delighted to attend DuKane ABATE chapter’s 29^th Annual Toy and

Food Run. This is an event in which the chapter hosts a motorcycle run and collects food and toy donations for local charities. This was HSP's second year attending the event. HSP’s long time volunteer, Dean Senne, represented HSP at the event. The members of ABATE raised an impressive amount of toys and food for those in need, including a large donation for the children, families, and seniors in our programs. We at HSP are grateful for the love and support given by the DuKane ABATE chapter and Jennifer Neunteufel and her amazing volunteers. Together, we are truly making a difference in the lives of the children, families, and seniors in our programs.  

Jennifer N. (in black) and fantastic volunteers.

HSP Welcomes Two New Interns!

Ashley

Today and yesterday, HSP had the pleasure of welcoming two students of Adler University who will be completing their first year practicum at HSP. They will be with us until April to interview and write “updates” about the low-income seniors enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project. Our newest interns are:

Ashley Johnson, a counseling and art therapy student at Adler, hopes to work with veterans and others suffering from PTSD. She is excited to be part of the HSP team, and she looks forward to learning more about the seniors we serve. Outside of the classroom, Ashley is an avid sculptor!

Katelyn

Katelyn Aducci, who also studies art therapy at Adler, is currently employed at an inpatient hospital. Upon graduation, she is hoping to conduct research and potentially run a private therapy practice. Katelyn says she is looking forward to help serve our low-income seniors. When she is not studying or working, Katelyn enjoys painting and Muay Thai kickboxing!

Please join us in welcoming Ashley and Katelyn to HSP!

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Central Dupage

Yesterday, HSP had a wonderful visit from our longtime volunteer and member of the Rotary Club of Central Dupage, Jim Hebert. Jim dropped off a generous $800 donation from the club to sponsor a low-income senior in our Senior Citizen Project (SCP). Our Executive Director, Kristin Senne, and volunteer Nancy Dorsman had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the club a few months ago to explain the impact of our programs throughout DuPage and Kane counties. We are grateful that the Rotary Club of Central DuPage has decided to help us in providing our life-altering services for a needy and deserving senior in their community. HSP’s programs impact so many children, families, and seniors who so desperately need our support. We at HSP would like to thank the Rotary Club of Central DuPage for their generous support and wonderful contribution. The Rotary Club of Central DuPage have set a fine example of giving back to those in need; their actions are the model for other groups or organizations to follow. If you belong to a group or organization looking to learn more about becoming a part of the solution to alleviate the burden of poverty, please contact HSP. 

Divine Savior Food Drive

Yesterday, HSP received a very generous donation from our friends at Divine Savior Parish in Downers Grove. The parishioners collected 27 bags and 4 boxes of non-perishable food to give to the seniors and families we serve. For over 20 years, Divine Savior has avidly supported HSP, and we are very grateful for their continued generosity. The parishioners at Divine Savior regularly collect food for those in need, donating food for those we serve every 2 months.

With our Christmas Offering approaching, HSP has a much bigger need for food donations. This December, HSP will be providing groceries to hundreds of needy families in addition to the 132 seniors we serve monthly. If you or a group you belong to would be interested in helping us provide groceries to those who need it most, please contact HSP. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Allured Business Media Matching Campaign

There are 10 days remaining in our matching campaign, and we need just over $3000 to meet the $16,000 goal to add a new senior to our Senior Citizen Project (SCP). This low-income senior will receive a 100lb delivery of nutritious groceries every month. Our generous sponsor, Allured Business Media will match dollar for dollar donations up to $7500 with the goal of permanently adding a new senior to our SCP. This endowment will make a tremendous difference in the life of a deserving senior. We at HSP want to extend our gratitude to those who have already generously donated. 

Thanks for a Great Bowling Event!

Former HSP intern, Erik Maranto (center) was instrumental in the successful 

planning of our bowling fundraiser. A BIG Thank You Erik, you did an Amazing Job!

Last Thursday night, HSP’s first ever bowling fundraiser had a great turnout of more than two dozen friends of HSP! The evening included not only bowling, but also food and a raffle. Members of the HSP team had a blast sharing this evening with our supporters for a great cause. Through this event, HSP raised $1,789 to support the low-income seniors, children, and families we serve. HSP would like to thank everyone who joined and supported us for this successful first time event!  

Thank you to our Bowling Event Sponsors

This evening, HSP will host its first bowling fundraiser: HSP Bowl for Those in Need to raise funds for the seniors, children, and families we serve. We are looking forward to a fun event for a good cause. We had a number of local businesses get behind the event as sponsors whom we would like to thank for their support. First off we have our monetary sponsors Wheaton Bank and Trust Company – our very generous “Perfect Game” sponsor, our neighbor: KNS Companies, and David Blackman DDS and Associates. We have also had a number of local businesses donate items for the raffle we are conducting at the event: Chicago’s very own White Sox, Orange Theory Fitness in Wheaton, Elements Massage in Wheaton, Tasting Devine in Wheaton, Butterfield’s Pancake House and Restaurant in Wheaton, Village Tavern in Carol Stream, Namaste Salon in Wheaton, Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream in Wheaton, and Dave and Buster’s in Addison.  We at HSP would like to extend a whole-hearted thank you to everyone for helping to make this fundraising event possible.