HSP Bids Farewell to Kaaron

Kaaron, 3^rd from left, with HSP Staff

Yesterday, Humanitarian Service Project had the opportunity to say goodbye to Public Relations intern, Kaaron Carter. In the two months of Kaaron’s internship, he assisted HSP staff with a number of different projects. Kaaron contributed heavily to HSP’s blog, various Community Outreach Projects, and was an immense help during HSP’s Christmas Offering last month. For the Christmas Offering, Kaaron lent his linguistic skills, communicating with the many needy families served by the project that speak Spanish, and organized the Christmas Waiting List, allowing HSP to serve over 200 more needy families with Christmas Gifts than were originally committed to. Kaaron will be moving on to an internship in Business Administration in Oak Brook, and then will return to school at Park University in Missouri, where he will be finishing off his degree in Business Administration.

Kaaron, 2^nd from left, “suited up” with HSP Staff members

HSP staff members were so sad to see Kaaron go yesterday that many of them “suited up” in his honor (in deference to Kaaron and HSP Staff Member Alex Gordy’s shared affinity for the television show How I Met Your Mother.) Kaaron will be missed around the HSP office for both the hard work and positive attitude he brought to every task he was assigned. Everyone here at HSP would like to wish Kaaron well as he moves on to new opportunities and experiences.

Thank You Ray Graham Association

The Paper Items Sorted by The Ray Graham Association

            Today at HSP, we had the pleasure to host a kind and vibrant group of volunteers from the Ray Graham Association. They helped sort paper for the Senior Delivery Day this Saturday.  They also organized bags of Kleenex, paper towels, and toilet paper. Their assistance was much appreciated as Senor Citizen Project Coordinator, Tierney Hogan, commented, “It was my pleasure to work with this hard working group.  They came with wonderful attitudes and their effort was outstanding.”   HSP extends thanks to The Ray Graham Association for their help today. 

            These paper packages are an important portion of the 100 lbs deliveries that the seniors receive that also includes fresh produce, Pepperidge Farm bread, frozen meat, non-perishable food items, personal care items and Senior Secret Pal gifts.  If you would like to help with the Senior Delivery Day or volunteer, like The Ray Graham Association, you can check out our website at Humanitarianservice.org or give us a call at (630) 221-8340.

Volunteer Spotlight: A Winterim Visit from Wheaton Academy

            Wheaton Academy, a local high school, spent time with us at HSP today helping us get ready for the senior delivery day this upcoming Saturday.  The students, who are fresh from holiday break, are taking part in “Winterim”; which is a two-week period of personal enlightenment verses the traditional high school classes. In this time, the students choose an occupational field and look into, understand what it is, and how to become involved in that field.  These students volunteered at HSP to learn more about service projects and non-profits.  The students have named their Winterim experience as Project Least and it brings focus to serving the people around you. 

Wheaton Academy Volunteers 

            The students today, helped with arranging different types of bread, sorting food, and organizing areas for produce to be sorted later this week.  Commenting on the experience Kearsten Karrick, the Project Leader, explained, “The students have dedicated their time to learn about how to become more involved in the community. One aim of our project is to introduce the students to places they may want to volunteer in the future.”  The students have committed to service beyond HSP, as they look to have a coat drive for the needy at their school in upcoming weeks. 

            HSP wishes to extend thanks to Wheaton Academy for their time today at HSP, and encourage them and our supporters to continue to volunteer. Senior delivery Day is quickly approaching, and volunteers for this week will be contributing to our Delivery Day on Saturday.  If you are looking for ways to help you can visit our website at Humanitarianservice.org or give us a call at (630) 221-8340.

Donor Spotlight: Fox Valley Animal Welfare League

Jon, from the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League with donation.

We at the Humanitarian Service Project would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, for their consistent help in supporting the pets of the needy seniors served by our Senior Citizen Project. Every month, a volunteer from the League visits our Carol Stream center and drops off an entire carload of pet food for the furry and feathered companions of the pet owning seniors in our project. This monthly donation helps feed and care for 26 pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and more. The most recent donation was dropped off just this past Friday by Jon Wullbrandt, from the League, and will reach the seniors’ pets this Saturday, during our Monthly Senior Delivery Day. On these Delivery Days all 121 needy seniors in our program receive a 100 lb grocery package including 15 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, 7 frozen meats, 3 loaves of Pepperidge Farm bread, 6 bags of non-perishables, 2 bags of paper products, and personal care items, to meet their material and nutritional needs, and now, thanks to the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, the needs of their pets as well.

HSP is very happy to have this partnership with the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, which began making these monthly donations in May of 2012. Pet ownership has been suggested to have a profoundly positive impact on senior citizens, by providing both companionship and a means of staying active. Many of the needy seniors in our program are isolated due to poverty and health problems, and we thank the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League for their continued support of these seniors by helping them care for their pets.

Help HSP Feed Needy Seniors

HSP is looking for volunteers to come in next Friday, January 11^th, to help sort produce for the 121 needy seniors served by our Senior Citizen Project. The fresh produce will be delivered to the seniors on the following day; HSP’s first, monthly Senior Delivery Day of 2013. Interested volunteers will come to HSP’s Carol Stream Center (465 Randy Road in Carol Stream) at 10 am until 12:30 or 1 pm on Friday and help sort through 15 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables to make a box of produce for each senior. Ordering produce from Caputo’s in Hanover Park the day before delivery, allows HSP to provide the very needy seniors in our project with the freshest and healthiest fruits and vegetables. It is only through the generosity of community members willing to donate their time and energy that continues to allow HSP to provide this produce which plays such a big role in allowing the seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Interested volunteers should call HSP at 630-221-8340, or email us at hsp@humanitarianservice.org to sign up.

For those that can’t make it on Friday, but are still interested in volunteering their time to help serve impoverished seniors, there is also the opportunity to assist HSP as a Delivery Day Driver. Delivery Drivers come to HSP’s Center on our monthly Delivery Days (at a scheduled time between 8:45 and 11:45 am) to pick up and deliver the 100 lb grocery packages to a couple of the needy seniors served by HSP. Each senior receives not only fresh produce, but also 6 bags of non-perishables, 7 frozen meats, 3 loaves of Pepperidge Farm bread, two bags of paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissue,) personal care items (such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth paste/brushes, etc.) and a gift donated by their “Secret Pal.” Volunteers need not commit to driving every month, as they can volunteer as a “substitute driver” who may fill in for a regular driver who cannot make the delivery. 

Great Idea on How to Help HSP

          In recent years, social media has taken society by storm; it helps organize and distribute information; it allows large audiences to hear a message; and it can unify a community.  Yesterday, we received a rather creative food drive put together by Sonnet Schulz. Sonnet, who in the last three years helped arrange food drives within the community for HSP, organized a peanut butter and jelly drive using Facebook to display the event in late November.  The event got some attention and soon after her family, friends, co-workers and people in the community began donating the different food items to her home.  When asked about her food drive Sonnet explained, “I offered a peanut butter and jelly drive because it is simple, fun, and everyone can relate.” She later gave details to why Facebook was her choice to host the event saying, “it was easier to reach the people that I keep in touch with.  I could also take pictures, could give updates, and get the word out about HSP.” Facebook allowed her to reach a larger audience as the information could be shared between common hearted individuals within her network. The food drive yielded three large boxes of peanut butter, sun butter for those with peanut allergens, and jelly that will be for the needy seniors.

Peanut Butter, Sun Butter, and Jelly

            Sonnet and her Facebook friends found a way to provide a focused yet fun way to help the families in need in our community.  We want to thank Sonnet and her Facebook friends and family that contributed to the wonderful donation. We share this story to inspire and encourage our supporters looking for ways to help, by continuing to think of new ways to be involved.  To get further ideas for different need based drives you can visit our website at Humanitarianservice.org or give us a call at (630) 221-8340.

            

A New Year Brings New Opportunity for a Departing Intern

Ashley Jones PR Intern

          The start of the year means new beginnings; and for Ashley Jones, a Public Relations intern here at HSP, this holds to be true. A recent graduate of Northern Illinois University, 2013 presents new opportunities in employment, networks, and personal ventures.  While at HSP, Ashley was a big help during the busy Christmas season. She handled keeping the public informed about the continuous developments and activities here at HSP. As an intern, she kept community informed of events by writing press releases and contributing to our blog.  Also as an intern, she and her family personally sponsored giving trees during the Christmas Offering for needy children. She is a highly versatile individual, and was enthusiastic to take the new tasks the holiday season presented.

             We wish Ashley the best as her life evolves and she embraces new challenges and opportunities.  Her kind heart, strong work ethic, and ability to communicate through writing and in personal settings will help her achieve her goals.  We will miss Ashley here at HSP and look forward to hearing great things from her future.