Avenues to Independence Residents and Volunteers Spread Joy Throughout the Community with Christmas in July Celebrations

For over a decade, Avenues residents have joined long-time Avenues volunteers; Kathy Seiwert of Park Ridge and Lynne Hjelmberg of Chicago to sing Christmas songs throughout the Park Ridge community. This year, volunteers from Maine South High School joined in the tradition and the group made their way throughout the community singing favorites like, “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

Kathy Seiwert explains just how far the spirit was spread, “Cars stop on the street to listen. People walking down the street listen. Neighbors not included listen. IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!!”

Not only does the group sing songs, they also collect food donations for the food pantry at St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. These Park Ridge neighbors are very generous too and it doesn’t take long for the group’s red wagon to be full of food donations.

It is clear that Avenues residents, volunteers and the entire Park Ridge community benefit from this tradition and the group is sure to continue the Christmas in July celebration for many years to come.

Avenues is a non-profit organization, with sites in Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines and Wheeling, that provides homes, jobs and community living programs to adults with physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Avenues goal is to provide work and living opportunities enabling those with disabilities to be as independent as possible.