Elk Grove Township Provides Assistance Throughout the Holiday Season

Pictured left to right: Maureen McAbee, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at CCCSD59, Mike Sweeney, Elk Grove Township Supervisor and Griselda Pirtle, ELL (English Language Learners) Director, CCSD59

The holiday season is a time when financial stress can become exacerbated when families are struggling to simply survive. Elk Grove Township, along with Townships across Illinois, recognize this and continually support a number of programs which provide assistance during this period that should be filled with joy and giving.

Thanksgiving Baskets
During the Thanksgiving season, 49 Elk Grove Township families received baskets of food so that they were able to serve a traditional Thanksgiving meals to their families. All of the families met with caseworkers in the General Assistance office and were qualified as in-need. Families, churches, businesses and other groups totalled 49 donors who participated in this giving project though their Thanksgiving Basket donations.

“I am so thankful to live in a township that helps those less fortunate... this truly helped my family to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.” - Monique

Adopt-A-Family
Adopt-A-Family is a program that has been provided by Elk Grove Township for decades. In-need families are identified by caseworkers in the Township General Assistance office, and residents – also known as Santa’s Helpers - donate gift certificates for parents who can then purchase holiday gifts of their choosing for their children. Parents who receive this assistance oftentimes write letters of thanks to the donors, who are always kept anonymous. In 2015, 29 families benefitted from 21 donors through the Adopt-A-Family program. Holiday meals are also donated by these generous Township residents, which also helped to make the holidays a little bit brighter for those in-need.

“I want to give you the most sincere THANK YOU for being our Santa and our angel…My kids thought that they weren’t going to get any presents, but thanks to you, they had one of the most wonderful days of Christmas in the world! It was wonderful to see them opening their presents and seeing their beautiful smiles.” -G. family

Snow Angels
The Snow Angels campaign was initiated by Elk Grove Township in 2015, in partnership with Community Consolidated School District 59 and several area churches and businesses. The program was created to assist in-need students who attend District 59 schools by garnering donations of snow pants and snow boots. When children do not have these items, they are unable to participate in recess on days when snow is on the ground. Nearly 500 items were donated in drop boxes located throughout Elk Grove Township.

Community partners included CCSD59, Penske Corporation, Parkway Bank and several area churches.

Elk Grove Township continues to seek community partners to assist in giving back to the Township community. For more information, and to learn about all of the services provided by the Township, please visit the website at http://www.elkgrovetownship.com/ or call 847-437-0300.