Friday, January 30, 2015
Meet HSP's Newest Intern!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Join HSP for the Human Race
Now is the time to
register to represent HSP at the DuPage Human Race! The Human Race is a charity
5k run/2 mi fitness walk to benefit a number of charities that do great work in
DuPage County. This will be the fourth year of the event, and also the fourth
year HSP will be participating. You can run (or walk) on behalf of HSP , or donate to show your support of our runners
and walkers. All of the funds HSP raises from this event will support the needy
seniors, children, and families enrolled in our programs.
The race will be held April 25th
at the The Espalande in Downers Grove. While the race is a still a few months
away, there are only a few days left to register at the lowest price. Whether
you have dreams of crossing that finish line in record time, or just like
getting out and moving for a good cause, please consider joining HSP for this
fun event.
To register for this event, click here (please list “Humanitarian
Service Project” as the agency you’ll be representing): https://www.athletepath.com/dupage-human-race/2015-04-25
For more information, visit their website: http://dupagehumanrace.org/
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Senior Wish List Items
Gifts donated to seniors in our Secret Pal program. |
While HSP serves the seniors in the
Senior Citizen Project with groceries, there are always additional needs that
the seniors have. Living with low incomes, our seniors have little means of
acquiring what they need to live comfortably.
We fulfill as many of these needs
as possible for the seniors through “wish lists.” Our seniors call in to request
items that they need, and we then send them that item if we receive it from a
donor.
For our donors out there, or those
of you considering donating in the future, here are some of the items most
commonly requested by our seniors:
- Laundry detergent/dish soap
- Pots/pans
- Dishes/glasses
- Stamps
- Batteries (especially AA)
- Furniture (gently used)
- Appliances (gently used)
- Microwaves
- Blenders
- Toasters, etc.
So please keep these items in mind,
and thank you for your continued support of HSP and our Senior Citizen Project!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Giant Steps and the Indian Lakes Hilton Volunteer Today

Today, we felt truly blessed to have two groups come in on
the same day. We had a group of six volunteers from the Hilton Chicago/Indian
Lakes Resort who were here to help wrap birthday gifts for disadvantaged children.
We are also thankful to have had both students and staff from Giant Steps come
in to sort food for seniors in need.
The volunteers from the Hilton came from all departments of
the resort. They do at least one service project a month, and said it is
something that they really enjoy doing.
Giant Steps is a school in Lisle that provides educational, therapeutic
and recreational programs for elementary, junior high and high school students with
special needs. Students and faculty from Giant Steps regularly donate their
time to assist with our Senior Citizen Project, and we were happy to have them
here today.
If you are interested in coming in to volunteer by
yourself or with a group, give us a call at (630) 221-8340.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Volunteers from the School of Expressive Arts and Learning
Friday, January 23, 2015
Helping Out at HSP
The bread sorted today will be distributed to our 125 impoverished seniors. Their time here volunteering helps the students to learn real world vocational and community service experiences, lessons that are the central focus of the class. As always, we are so grateful for Ms. Heggen and her wonderful students who continue to help us make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
A New Intern Joins HSP
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Thank You Christmas Offering Donors and Volunteers!
Believe it or not, it has been nearly a month since we
wrapped up our Christmas offering here at HSP.
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What made this year so successful was the generosity and
tireless work from all of our donors and volunteers, so we wanted to share with
you a few of the “thank yous” we received from grateful families.
“This Christmas was extremely lean and we didn't
know if we were going to be able to get gifts for our son. Thank you so much for
giving us that ability”
“Thank you for all the
wonderful gifts and food, you gave our family at this holiday time. Your
kindness is very appreciated.”
“Thank you so much for your help this past year.
It's helped my grandson and me so much this year. The gifts were wonderful and
very much appreciated. Your thoughtfulness and your help, we thank you.”
“I really appreciate these
gifts. I could not afford these things and now I can put a smile on my
daughter’s and her cousins’ faces. Thank you!”
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Get Involved with the Secret Pal Program
The Secret Pal Program is something that is open to all of
the seniors in our Senior Citizen Project. It is a program where volunteer donors
are each paired up with a senior, and the donor will buy the senior a small
gift on a monthly basis.
The gifts may be something practical the senior could use,
such as candles or pots and pans, or they may just be something to bring a
little more enjoyment into that senior’s life, like a book of crosswords or a
puzzle.
Our donors typically spend between $5 and $25 per month.
While these gifts may seem of little significance, their
impact can be huge. Take for example this excerpt from a thank you letter
written by one of our appreciative seniors:
“Thank you for your kindness all year. My appreciation is
great, and I am overwhelmed with your generosity. You are a very special
person! I wish I could give you a big hug.”
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 food.
To become a Secret Pal, please contact us at 630.221.8340 or
email us at hsp@humanitarianservice.org.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Thank You South Outreach
South Outreach Volunteers at HSP last Spring
|
HSP would like to
extend a big thank you to the students of the South Outreach club of Wheaton
Warrenville South High School who took time out of their day off of school to
volunteer with us on Friday. Six volunteers from the club spent two hours in
HSP’s warehouse, sorting frozen meat for the impoverished seniors enrolled in
our Senior Citizen Project. The goal of the South Outreach club is “to spread
awareness and education about poverty and violence and use [their] resources to
make change.” By regularly giving their time on days off of school, South
Outreach has definitely been doing their part to make a positive change in the
community. We at HSP wish to thank them, and all of our other steadfast
volunteers, for helping us make a difference in the lives of seniors, children,
and families in our programs through their service.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Care Kits and Valentines from Forest Glen Elementary
Yesterday, HSP received a wonderful donation
from the 5th grade Ambassadors of Forest Glen Elementary school. The
students made 30 personal care kits, each containing various hygiene items, to
give to our seniors. The club has been making these kits every year since 2012.
The children were also kind enough to make handmade Valentine’s Day cards to
pass to our seniors next month. These personal care kits are essential to our
seniors in helping maintain their health and wellness. It’s especially
comforting to see such generosity from young students. HSP thanks Forest Glen
Elementary School for their thoughtful donation.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Wrapper’s Delight!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Happy Birthday Floyd!
It's a day of celebration here at HSP! Today we celebrate our co-founder and CFO Floyd Kettering's birthday! Floyd is such an important person in the HSP family and he does so much around here--whether it's managing our finances, helping to oversee our programs, or just being the "go-to" guy for all of our questions. HSP wouldn't be what it is without Floyd, so please join us all in wishing him a very happy birthday! We love you Floyd!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Goodbye to Lisa
Monday, January 12, 2015
HSP’s First Delivery Day of 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Happy Trails to Michelle
Thursday, January 8, 2015
HSP Welcomes a Trio of Interns
Today, HSP had the
pleasure of welcoming three new members to our intern team. Like Rabije, who we
welcomed on Monday, these three ladies are joining HSP from Adler University
and will be completing their Community Service Practicum with us. They will be
interviewing the needy senior citizens enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project
and writing “senior updates” about their lives, needs, and how the Senior
Citizen Project has impacted their lives.
Without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to them.
Alinda |
First we have Alinda Lord who is
studying Counseling at Adler with a specialization in Forensic Psychology.
Alinda is studying for a career working in correctional facilities or alongside
police officers. Alinda says she is very excited to have been placed at HSP for
her practicum as a chance to build on her past experience in non-profits. For two
years Alinda volunteered a crisis hotline connecting people with the services
they need. At HSP, Alinda says she is looking forward to getting to know our
seniors, and gaining more experience working with a specific population.
Roxanne |
Natalie |
Second
we have Roxanne Gajewski who, like Alinda, is studying Counseling with a
specialization in Forensic Psychology. Roxanne also wishes to work in a
correctional setting, and may choose to get a doctorate. She says she looks
forward to her time at HSP as a valuable learning experience. Roxanne will feel
right at home at HSP as she has been volunteering at non-profits her whole life
either in the form of food pantries, animal shelters, Children’s Miracle
Network, or her involvement in Relay for Life.
Finally, we’d like to introduce
you to Natalie Haines who is in the Sports and Health department at Adler. Once
she graduates, Natalie intends to work with student athletes at a college. Natalie’s
main passions are serving others and golf. She combined her two passions for
six years while volunteering for the Kids Golf Foundation. Natalie says she is
very excited to be working at HSP for the opportunity to gain new experiences
and because, as a Geneva native, she will be working around the community she
grew up in.
We are looking forward to working with Alinda,
Roxanne, and Natalie. Please join us in welcoming them to HSP!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
First Birthday Boxes of the Year
The
New Year has begun, and yesterday, HSP stopped by two schools and delivered
some of the first birthday boxes to underprivileged children with January
birthdays. Our Executive Director, Kristin Maxwell, delivered three boxes to
St. Charles Head Start, and another seven went to Carol Stream Head Start,
delivered by our dedicated volunteer Bill Fehling. We have partnerships with
these (and more) Head start locations and two elementary schools in Addison,
which enable us to reach more needy kids through the Children's Birthday
Project (CBP).
Through CBP, HSP provides 925 impoverished children with all the necessities to make their birthday truly special. Each child on their birthday receives 6-10 new toys, small "filler" gifts, stuffed animals, and 4-7 new books. Additionally, the package also features a "Party-in-a-Box" which contains cake, candles, balloons, streamers--everything needed to ensure that the child has a truly happy birthday.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
D-Day is Coming!
This Saturday, January 10th, marks the first Delivery Day of the New Year. Delivery Day--or "D-Day" as we like to call it--is our monthly distribution in which we deliver 100 pounds of groceries to each of the 125 seniors in our Senior Citizen Program. Each delivery includes fresh produce, meat, bread, non-perishables, paper, and Secret Pal gifts! We have volunteers who load the groceries into the cars of the volunteer drivers who deliver the packages to the seniors' homes.
As you can imagine, D-Day is a fun and very busy day. Because of this, we would like to have additional people help us load up the groceries for all of our deserving seniors. D-Day runs from 8-11 AM. If you are interested in coming by for a few hours this Saturday and helping us to load all the good into the volunteers' cars, we would very much appreciate it! Please give us a call at 630-221-8340. It's a great time and we hope to see everyone there!
Monday, January 5, 2015
HSP Welcomes a New Intern
Friday, January 2, 2015
The DuPage Human Race
To
register for this event, click here: https://www.athletepath.com/dupage-human-race/2015-04-25
For more information, visit
their website: http://dupagehumanrace.org/
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