Volunteer Groups Galore

Volunteers from Young Men's Service League

It has been an exciting week at Humanitarian Service Project as we are deep into the preparation stage of our Christmas Offering program. We will be distributing groceries to hundreds of low-income families and gifts to approximately 2,000 children through this program, so there are many things to prepare. Thankfully, over the last couple of days, we have had a number of volunteer groups from local schools generously give their time to help us keep these preparations going smoothly. We wish to recognize these groups for their amazing support:

Yesterday afternoon, the Rotolo Middle School Builders Club came to visit HSP for a tour and to lend a hand in our warehouse.

Yesterday, evening we hosted a group from the Young Men’s Service League “Panther” Chapter, a volunteer group based out of Glenbard North High School for young men and their mothers, who help sort and wrap gifts for our Christmas Offering.

Volunteers from Pleasantdale Middle School

Today, we had 11 volunteers from Pleasantdale Middle School help sort food in our warehouse, as well as, 10 of our friends from Team AIM at Glenbard North who helped sort and wrap gifts for the children we serve.

We at HSP wish to thank all of these groups for helping us make the holidays brighter for the very deserving children, families, and senior citizens we serve.

DuPage Woodworkers

Yesterday HSP was delighted to be invited to a meeting of our friends at the DuPage Woodworkers Club. Every year, the members of the club handcraft thousands of toys for needy children at Christmas time. HSP is so thankful that the club has, once again, chosen us as one of the agencies to distribute their toys to those kids in need; this year, the club made a total of 1,666 toys. At the meeting last night HSP’s Executive Director, Kristin Senne had the opportunity to talk to club members and thank them for their generous donation. We at HSP are extremely grateful to be chosen as one of the recipients of such beautiful handcrafted toys; the families and children we serve will surely have a joyful Christmas.

Thanks to Zurich NA Volunteers

Today, HSP welcomed 22 volunteers from our friends at Zurich North America. They spent 2 and a half hours at HSP doing various activities to help the needy children, families, and seniors in our programs. Half of the group helped us box non-perishable food for 150 of the needy families served by our Christmas Offering. The other half helped restock our pantry with non-perishable food for our seniors, as well as created “snack bags” for the families in our Christmas Offering. We would like to thank them all of them for coming out and for all of their hard work today. Their high energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness to serve was much appreciated. Additionally, we would like to thank them for the generous monetary donation they presented HSP with to aid the children we serve. They were wonderful volunteers, and we would be more than happy to have them here again next year!

Thank You to Our Friends at Motorola Solutions

HSP would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to our volunteers Lisa Zak, Dann Hauber, and our friends at Motorola Solutions for a very creative contribution. Lisa and Dann, who regularly lend their time to HSP as volunteers, entered a costume contest with a few friends and won a cash prize. Instead of splitting the winnings, they decided to donate to our organization and help the many seniors, children, and families we serve. As a bonus, Lisa’s workplace, Motorola Solutions, matched the amount Lisa won and donated. Based on the photo HSP received of Lisa, Dann, and company decked out in costume as the cast of The Wizard of Oz, it looks like they had a lot of fun.  We are so grateful they found this unique way to help HSP serve the impoverished seniors, children, and families. We thank them so much for their brains, hearts, and, of course, their courage!

Thanks for Another Successful Delivery Day

This past Saturday was HSP’s monthly Delivery Day for our Senior Citizen Project. We would like to thank all of the amazing volunteers who came out and helped us this weekend. This program would not be possible without all of your hard work and dedication. On the Friday before the event, we welcomed 7 volunteers from UPS, who spent their time here sorting fresh produce and bread. The volunteers are here on the day before every senior Deliver Day, and we are so appreciative of their support. We would also like to thank all of the wonderful people who volunteered on Saturday to load and deliver groceries to the 133 seniors in our program. The continued success of the Senior Citizen Project is thanks to the generosity and support of these volunteers. We hope to see you again next time!

Secret Pals

This Saturday is the monthly Delivery Day for HSP’s Senior Citizen Project. Along with the nutritious groceries, many of the impoverished seniors in the program will receive a gift from our dedicated “Secret Pal” donors. These wonderful volunteers always make sure the gifts to our seniors fit their personalities and needs; each gift is thoughtful and comforting.

 The seniors in our program look forward to receiving secret pal gifts and are always filled with joy and delight upon receiving their gifts. During the month of December the seniors we serve will receive gifts through Christmas Offering program instead of the Secret Pal program, making this Saturday’s delivery the final Secret Pal gift distribution of the year. We at HSP would like to thank all of the faithful Secret Pals who are making the difference in the lives of the seniors we serve. When the program starts back up in January, we have many seniors who need pals. 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. 

Elmhurst College and BMW Volunteers

Over the past couple days, HSP has welcomed amazing volunteers from two different groups who took time out of their schedules to help us get ready for the holidays. Yesterday afternoon we were joined by 4 volunteers from the Sigma Kappa Sorority at Elmhurst College. They spent their time here sorting gifts and making gift packages for the children we serve at Christmas.

Today, for the third year in a row we welcomed back volunteers from BMW. They helped us prepare for the holidays by boxing up nonperishable items for the families we serve at Christmastime. This Christmas, 150 low-income families will each receive a 250 pound grocery package, and BMW spent five hours sorting through nonperishable items and making boxes for each of the families. We are very appreciative to both groups for giving up so much of their time to come and help the deserving people we serve. HSP wishes to thank each and every one of them for their kindness and support, and we would be glad to welcome them here again.