Divine Savior Food Drive!

Today we received a food drive from Divine Savior Parish in Downers Grove. Volunteer Mike Baumgartner went to pick up the donation which the church collects bi-monthly. The church collected over a pallets worth of non-perishable food.

Divine Savior has been supporting HSP for over 19 years through collecting food drives, sponsoring seniors and children, creating senior care kits, and at Christmas time, providing Giving Trees for the children and seniors in our program. This past Christmas, they collected wish list gifts for the 113 seniors who were in our program at the time (we now are at 118 seniors) as well as 400 impoverished children.

We are so thankful for their continued support and for our partnership.

Volunteer Profile: Lauren Hetrick

Every Tuesday morning HSP is blessed to have the help of Lauren, a recent graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. There she studied graphic design and photography and is utilizing her skills to benefit HSP through revamping our power point presentation, creating flyers, and updating our speaker boards.

Lauren first heard about HSP through her mother who is a member and a recent past president of the Wheaton Rotary as well as Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for the Wheaton Park District, Cathy Hetrick. The two had volunteered in the past for the annual Christmas Offering. “I had a lot of fun at the Christmas Offering and I like what HSP does for the community. I was active in service projects in college and wanted to volunteer again,” Lauren said.

Not only does Lauren assist HSP, but she works part time at Impress Printing and does freelance work for a food company called Nonni’s Foods as well as hotels in Italy. In Lauren’s spare time she enjoys riding her horse, Lucy and has been riding since she was 9 years old.

We are so appreciative of Lauren’s support and skills and look forward to Tuesdays when she is in.

Party-in-a-bag Delivery!

Just as the big blizzard was about to hit last week, Anne Henriksen, an HSP volunteer, pulled in with a carload of donations. Last Monday, Anne had gone to St. Joseph’s Youth Ministry Group in Downers Grove on behalf of HSP. While she was there, the youth group put together 40 party-in-a-bag kits for the Children’s Birthday Project. Anne explained to the youth group all the services HSP provides to children and seniors, and let them know how their kits would help brighten a needy child’s birthday.

A party-in-a-bag kit is put into each child’s birthday box so that, along with gifts, the family can have a celebration. The kits contain items such as cake mix, frosting, party hats, streamers, birthday candles, invitations, balloons, plastic forks, paper plates, and napkins.

Thanks to Anne for helping HSP with numerous speaking engagements, and for delivering the kits. We also thank St. Joseph’s Youth Ministry Group for the kits and for their donated time in putting together the kits. Thanks to all involved!

Valentine's Day Meal!

Valentine’s Day is a week away, and we’re still in need of volunteers to make, or buy, and deliver a holiday meal for a senior. Our “holiday meals program” gives our seniors the opportunity to request having a meal brought to them on or around a particular holiday each month.

Interested volunteers can give us a call and let us know the area in which they would like to deliver. Then we will get them in touch with a senior who they can call and set up a date and time to deliver a meal. Volunteers typically give the seniors 3 choices of meals that they would be willing to make or buy, and the senior picks the one that they would like. The volunteer then delivers the meal at the agreed upon time, and follows up with us as to how the delivery went. After cooking and delivering meals for two seniors on a recent holiday, a volunteer reported that, “both women were friendly and gracious for the food. I couldn’t help but express that it was entirely my pleasure to be able to cook for them.”

Volunteering to make or buy and deliver this holiday meal is a great way to do something for someone else, especially on a love-filled holiday like Valentine’s Day. Seniors who receive these meals definitely feel loved and cared for when their volunteer shows up at the door. After a recent holiday, a volunteer told us that the senior couple she delivered to was so happy to receive the food and that they had been waiting for her arrival. They were excited to invite her in and show her their apartment.

If you would like to give a senior a special Valentine meal next week, please let us know. (630) 221-8340 or scp@humanitarianservice.org

A visit from Justin!

Earlier this week we were surprised with a visit by one of our former employees, Justin Paris. Justin worked here at HSP a few years ago, while he was in school, and still stops in to visit from time to time. Justin was one of our part-time employees who did a little bit of everything. He helped us build our database, but he was always willing to fill in where we needed him. He would write correspondences for us, help out with the Senior Citizen Project and the Children’s Birthday Project, and even fill in at the front desk. One of the things that always impressed Karole was his great attitude!

Justin was stopping by to drop off a baby humidifier and some food goods. We’re thrilled that Justin still thinks of us! We also got to meet Justin’s son who came along for the ride. It’s always amazing to see how much former employees and interns have changed and grown since being here.

Justin is a talented photographer who currently works in food photography. While he was here on staff, Justin was kind enough to share his photography talents with us by taking pictures of the fresh produce we deliver to our seniors. He had the photographs blown up to decorate our entranceway, where they still hang.

Justin really is a talented photographer. He left us his website, and we’re so impressed that we want to share it with you! If you’re interested in seeing Justin’s work, his website is www.justinbparis.com.

Blizzard 2011

Snow is everywhere. Starting Tuesday evening, the blizzard of 2011 hit Illinois. Winds blew 35-40mph. Snow drifts started to appear and driving conditions were hazardous. People were warned to stay indoors. Throughout the night, the snow steadily increased.

By Wednesday morning, snow piles were 3 feet high. Cars were covered, businesses (including HSP) were closed and children had a snow day. The snow is a beautiful sight. It sparkles in the sunlight. However, clearing a path through it seemed to be a challenge. People spent hours clearing sidewalks and driveways. The snowplows worked nonstop. It took Bill- our snow plow helper 3 hours to clear our parking lot and dock driveway.

- HSP had 20 inches of snow along with 3 foot deep snow drifts.

Even though the weather has calmed down, the snow will be around for awhile. The blizzard of 2011 is an event that will be remembered for years to come.

Paul- our Community Outreach Staffer helps to clear our service sidewalk while there’s a wind-chill of –13 degrees

A Special Phone Call

My name is Tracy and I’m a volunteer here at HSP. Last week I received a phone call from a grateful senior named Barbara. As a volunteer, I feel especially honored to receive these types of phone calls. I am just a small part of this organization, and I know how many people work so hard to provide these seniors with food, gifts, and services.

From the second I answered the phone I couldn’t get a word in. Barbara couldn’t find the words to express the gratitude she was feeling. She started off by telling me that she wanted to thank everyone at HSP with all her heart. She kept telling me that she felt badly that she couldn’t find a better way to thank everyone. “I love everything I received for Christmas,” said Barbara. “My Secret Pal always seems to know just what I need. I needed to send out some letters and she sent me stamps! I love my Secret Pal.”

I tried to tell Barbara that calling us was plenty of thanks, but she interrupted to tell me that she wanted to write a us a letter, but “was getting frustrated at not being able to find words” to tell us how she felt. Being on the other end of the phone gave me such a warm feeling, and was all the validation I needed for why I decided to volunteer with HSP. I shared the message with the rest of the staff and everyone beamed with pride. That is why we are all here. Barbara finished her phone call by saying, “I love you all. Thank you.” We love you, too, Barbara. We love all our seniors.