Local Charity Cooks Up Christmas Dinners for Families in Need

Lemont residents in need received an extra-special gift this Christmas. 

The Hope and Friendship Foundation visited 61 Lemont homes, offering turkeys to some, and Aldi certificates to 6 others.

The program, in its ninth year, provides meals not only to those that are struggling financially but those that have physical disabilities in the home and those that are emotionally strained (loss of loved one). This year's recipients also included senior citizens who would spend Christmas alone, and some families with parents battling illness.

"I have families that we have helped in the past helping us to make this day happen," said organizer Terri O'Neill-Borders.  

O'Neill-Borders had a serendipitous moment with a grocery store cashier. 

"Hope and Friendship helped our family when we hit a rough patch, they brought us Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners," the cashier said.  

"I didn't recognize her and felt bad for that because I take pride in calling every person we help a friend and know them," she said. "I told her I was so thankful that we were able to help and that they found us and thanked her for helping us continue to help others. Then I was rocked into remembering why I pull 18 1/2 hour days during these two weeks prior to Christmas."

Donations pour in from "many, many angels," and a team gathers to create the care boxes and dinners. 

"...One of the most exhilarating and contagiously good feeling events you could partake in!" O-Neill-Borders said. "Whether you donated a product for the care boxes or the dinners or helped create or deliver either one you are the reason this happens."