The Human Race Puts a Spring in our Step

The HSP team at last year's DuPage Human Race

The warmer weather this week has everyone at HSP thinking about spring. One of spring events we are all anxiously anticipating is the DuPage Human Race, an annual charity 5k that HSP participates in. The DuPage Human Race is organized by Giving DuPage in order to “[bring] people together in support of over 50 charity organizations serving DuPage County” including HSP. Over the past three years, HSP has had a blast at this event as well as raised support for the needy and deserving seniors, children, and families we serve. The race will be at 10 a.m. on April 25^th at the Espalande at Locust Pointe in Downers Grove, and HSP would like to invite you to participate. There are two ways you can do so:

-          Sign up to represent HSP in either the 5k run or 2 mi fitness walk at this link: https://www.athletepath.com/dupage-human-race/2015-04-25. Please list “Humanitarian Service Project” as the agency you wish to represent.

-          Support our runners and walkers by donating to the team’s fundraising page: https://secure.qgiv.com/hobnob/team/414484

Both our runners/walkers and those who sponsor them play a huge role in helping us reach the people in need in our communities. All of the money raised by HSP through the race goes to support the many seniors, children, and families enrolled in our programs. We hope to see many of you there. 

Thank you Norton Creek Elementary

We would like to thank Norton Creek Elementary in West Chicago for running a school-wide service project creating “Party in a Bag” kits for needy children. This project was sponsored by the PTO and spearheaded by Lisa Weier in which the whole school collected items and created these incredible kits. This was the first annual community service project and they did such an amazing job. Parents whose children attend Norton Creek along with the principle assembled these wonderful kits during an event on Saturday morning.

These Party Bags were picked up by Kristin, our Executive Director, and our volunteer Dean Senne today. The school created birthdays bags for 81 of the children enrolled in our Children’s Birthday Project making other kids birthdays special and putting a smile on their faces. Lisa talked about how it was explained to the kids that birthday parties are an “extra” activity that many families cannot afford. She told Kristin, “The children really connected to the project because they love having a birthday party so they want to make sure other kids can do the same.” Thanks to the generosity of the families and children at Norton Creek. 

Say Cheese! From Etz Chaim

       HSP received a rather delicious donation this morning from Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard. They collected hundreds of boxes of mac and cheese during their annual food drive that coincided with the Holiday Purim on Wednesday night. Etz Chaim has been supporting HSP with this annual food drive for more than a decade, and we are so grateful that they always think of us. The donation was picked up this morning by our volunteer driver Tom Hogan.

These boxes will be a yummy meal for the children served by our Feed the Kids program. During the months of June, July, and August, HSP provides 100 families with 200 pounds of food each of these months. This program helps benefit families who rely on their children receiving free or subsidized meals for their children during the school year. HSP thanks Etz Chaim for their wonderful support.

If you would like more information on how you, too, can help out HSP by sponsoring your very own food drive, please give us a call at 630-221-8340 or e-mail us at hsp@humanitarianservice.org. 

HSP thanks COD’s Service Learners

For the past several weeks, HSP has had the pleasure of hosting volunteers through the College of Dupage’s Service Learning program. COD’s Service Learning program combines volunteer service with academic instruction and gives students the wonderful opportunity to gain valuable real-life experience while applying their classroom knowledge. The students in the Service Learning program volunteer 20 hours at a community organization helping serve those in need.

HSP wishes to thank COD’s Service Learners for volunteering their time to help sort food for our Senior Citizen Project and preparing birthday boxes for the children enrolled in our Children Birthday Party. HSP is thankful for being given the opportunity to host Service Learning students from the College of DuPage who regularly exemplify a sense of civic responsibility and commitment to the community.

Become Someone’s Secret Pal

HSP is looking for some generous individuals to get involved with our Secret Pal Program today. We currently have 13 seniors who are without secret pals.

Through the Secret Pal program, volunteer donors are paired up with a senior in our Senior Citizen Project, buying them a monthly gift. The gifts may be something practical the senior needs, like postage stamps, or they may just be something fun to bring a little more enjoyment into that senior’s life, such as a book. Our donors typically spend between $5 and $25 per month.

It’s a fun way to give back for people who are looking to make a personal impact in the life of a needy senior. And to show what a positive difference these small gifts can make in the lives of our seniors, just read this excerpt from one of the many thank you letters written by a grateful senior:

“I can’t thank you enough for all the nice things you send. I am very grateful for everything. Thank you.”

The gifts are dropped off or mailed in to our center in Carol Stream and are then delivered to our seniors by their delivery day drivers, along with their monthly grocery delivery.

To become a Secret Pal, please contact us at 630.221.8340 or email us at hsp@humanitarianservice.org.

Black Hawk Elementary School Food Drive

Today, HSP received a food drive collected by the wonderful students and faculty at Black Hawk Elementary School in Glendale Heights.

Black Hawk Elementary ran this food drive for one week – beginning on Monday, February 23^rd and finishing yesterday. Over that week, the students and faculty donated six boxes packed to the brim with non-perishable food for the needy seniors and families we serve.

The food drive was picked up today by our volunteer Bill Fehling.

We want to give our sincere thanks to everyone over at Black Hawk Elementary for making this happen! We truly appreciate it. HSP relies on the generosity of our supporters in order to help all of the seniors, children and families we serve. Spring is a critical time of the year for donations. We must restock our shelves following our Christmas offering, for our ongoing Senior Citizen Project and the Feed the Kids Program in summer.

If you or your school/group is interested in hosting a food drive, check out our website for more information.

Ribfest

Last week we received a visit from our friends at the Exchange Club of Naperville who graciously dropped off a monetary donation for our summertime “Feed the Kids” program. This money was raised through last year’s Ribfest that took place in July. Ribfest is hosted every year by the Exchange Club during the 4^th of July weekend where people can enjoy live concerts, eat great food, and do fun activities with family and friends. Through Ribfest, the Exchange has raised millions of dollars for needy children.

While Ribfest is still far away, registration for volunteering at Ribfest will begin soon. Every year they need thousands of volunteers to help make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone can have a great time. As a recipient organization, HSP is responsible for having volunteers represent us at the event. The more volunteers we have, the more money we receive to feed the needy families. This is a great way to give back to the community and it brings people together for a common purpose while everyone gets to have a great time!

 This year Ribfest takes place July 2^nd-5^th with the headliner being The Band Perry with more music being announced soon. If you think you or anyone you know would like to volunteer, please contact us at 630-221-8340 and help with a great cause!