Dewey Day of Service Helps Homeless

On Martin Luther King Jr. day, students at Dewey Elementary School in Evanston were joined by their families to take part in a Day of Service event that was “bigger and better” than last year’s inaugural event, according to Dewey Day of Service committee chair Tina Kalil.

“The day was structured so the whole project was done on site,” said Kalil. “The goal is to have kids bring in essential items like backpacks, water, food items, ready made meals, toothbrushes and winter clothes, and then for us to give them to Connections for the Homeless.”

Connections for the Homeless is an Evanston organization which, according to its website, “provides housing, employment and supportive services to move individuals and families out of the shadow of homelessness.”

Kalil, who is the parent of three Dewey students, said “a mountain of supplies” were collected before children worked to sort the items to designated tables and stuffed the bags “trick-or-treat style.”

At least 170 showed from the community, compiling 140 complete travel kits for the homeless. A modest budget from the PTA helped spearhead this year’s event.

“We thought of doing something different each year (for MLK Day), but this project is a really good fit,” Kalil said. “It’s something meaningful and something people don’t have to stay for the duration, they can just come and help when they can.”

“It’s important for the kids to be aware of the homeless, and this helps create a culture where they are practicing good deeds,” she added.