Thoughtful Donation Warms a Winter Day for Clients at Together We Cope

It’s the little things in life that make a difference, but it can take a person with a big heart to think of them.

Fortunately for clients of Together We Cope, T.J. Quinlan has that kind of heart. In February, his donation of 150 coffee mugs—each one with a packet of instant cocoa mix tucked inside—enabled the Tinley Park-based prevention agency to take the chill off a winter day for dozens of clients.

“I just wanted to do this project to give back to those less fortunate,” said T.J. a student at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox and a parishioner at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Orland Hills.

The idea came from Elizabeth Wisnasky, a family friend in the church’s social actions ministry, who had done the same project a couple of years ago. “Mrs. Wiz reached out to me and asked if I could rekindle this project and spearhead it, and I gladly accepted the opportunity,” he said.

By putting boxes in the pastoral office at Providence and in the narthex of the church, he collected 1,488 mugs. “I also put out announcements on Providence’s website and in the church bulletin. Some families donated some hot chocolate packets themselves, and my family bought the rest of the hot chocolate packets,” he said. The Quinlans brought the chocolate-filled mugs to Together We Cope.

“I thought of Together We Cope because Mrs. Wiz suggested it,” T.J. said. “I had already heard about the great things that TWC does to help people get back on their feet. I hope that these mugs warmed the hearts of some of the clients they serve.”

The Quinlans also distributed the mugs to other agencies including the Daybreak Shelter, the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Goodwill and Respond Now. T.J.’s mother, Carla Quinlan, said the family was happy to help him. “We are very proud of T.J. for taking this initiative and making this such a huge success,” she said.

Together We Cope is a nonprofit prevention agency based in Tinley Park that provides resources to families in temporary crisis in 27 south suburban communities, enabling them to stay in their homes.

Caption: T.J. Quinlan filled 150 mugs with hot cocoa and donated them to Together We Cope, warming a winter day for dozens of the agency’s clients.