CALLING ALL SECRET SANTAS! Glen Ellyn Juniors needs your help

Glen Ellyn Junior Woman’s Club will once again distribute Christmas Baskets full of gifts and food to local families in need through their Christmas Family Adoption Program.

For over 65 years, the Glen Ellyn Juniors’ Christmas Sponsorship Program has been providing ‘baskets of love’ to needy families during the holiday season. Over the years, the program has evolved into a community-wide project with over 130 families and seniors sponsored throughout the Glen Ellyn community.

Glen Ellyn Juniors work with local organizations including the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry to provide food, toiletries (through their annual toiletry drive with Glenbard West High School), and toys (through their annual toy drive with D89 and D41 schools as well as local businesses) to all their needy families.

The Christmas Sponsorship Program is an opportunity for individuals, families, businesses/organizations, clubs, neighborhoods or groups to reach out and lift those in need, either through direct sponsorship, partial sponsorship, donations (gifts, gift cards, wrapping supplies, volunteering you time etc.), or financial contribution.

Your gift, large or small, makes a difference!

Donors aka Secret Santas sponsor a family and purchase gifts for each member of the family, using their “wish list.” The needs will range from basic clothing necessities to household goods. Glen Ellyn Juniors have families in need ranging from very small to very large and will help you find a family that best fits your needs and your budget. All the adopted families are local and live within the boundaries of Glen Ellyn’s District 89 and District 41 school districts.

The Christmas Program helps connect families in need, identified by social work offices, with generous individuals, businesses, and organizations, to provide food, toiletries, household items, and gifts they might otherwise go without.

Your involvement also brings something essential: Hope! By donating or sponsoring, you bring hope and encouragement to those who are struggling.

Ways to give:

• Sponsor a family or part of a larger family.
• Purchase gifts, gift cards, household items, basic needs (adult coats, boots, hats, gloves) or toys (especially for that ‘hard to buy for’ age group of 9 through 11).
• Donate money. Don’t have time to sponsor a family and shop, but want to help? Glen Ellyn Juniors are happy to do the leg work for you.
• VOLUNTEER! Glen Ellyn Juniors needs volunteers on ‘Super Thursday’ (Thursday, December 13th) which is when the magic happens. We wrap and distribute all the toys from our toy drive, distribute the food we purchase through Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, distribute the toiletries from our toiletry drive, and a million other things that needs to get done before Delivery Day on Sat., Dec. 15th. Super Thursday is set up as an open house as volunteers can drop by any time throughout the day, whatever time is most convenient to them … even if it’s just for an hour. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Dawn Cassata at dawncassata@yahoo.com

Important Dates:

Before Dec. 5th: Contact Lynn to sponsor a family, part of a family, a senior or to donate items/money at (GEJuniorsXmasBaskets@gmail.com) or 630-441-0101

Thursday, Dec. 13th: 7am – 7pm: Gifts dropped off, toys wrapped, food organized and “baskets” assembled at Parkview Community Church: 764 St. Charles Rd, Glen Ellyn (in front of Ackerman Park)

Saturday, Dec. 15th: 8:00am: Baskets delivered to families. You can deliver to your sponsor family if you’d like or one of our many volunteers are happy to do it for you. Whichever you decide, it’s an amazing experience for you and the entire family.

Spread joy this holiday season by joining our Christmas Sponsorship Program. Your kindness and generosity of spirit will help make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling within the local community.

Additional information can be found at the Glen Ellyn Juniors website at http://glenellynjuniors.com/christmasbaskets14.php

If interested in sponsoring a family, contact Lynn at GEJuniorsxmasbaskets@gmail.com or 630-441-0101 before December 5th for details.

Glen Ellyn Junior Woman’s Club has been providing support to Glen Ellyn and the surrounding communities through philanthropic endeavors for over 64 years. Our members consist of women dedicated to improving the community in which we live and assisting those in need.

Media Contact: Dawn Cassata

dawncassata@yahoo.com