St. Coletta's Thankful for Community Support

Tinley Park, IL – The sun hid behind the clouds most of the day, and the wind had a mind of its own, but on Friday April 12, and Saturday April 13, volunteers braved the elements to stand outside local Jewel and Walt’s store-fronts to collect donations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. St. Coletta’s collected donations at Jewel locations in New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Park and Tinley Park and at Walt’s located in Tinley Park.

The generous support from the community kept all who stood outside in the cold positive and smiling.

“It was a fun afternoon spent raising money for a good cause,” volunteer Cheryl Masiliunas reflected. She, along with her two teenage children collected donations on Saturday at the Laraway Jewel in New Lenox. As for the weather, she added “As long as the sun stayed out, it wasn’t too bad!”

Kate Huidobro who was out with her daughter, Grace, agreed. “Everyone has been so nice and so generous!”

Development Coordinator Brittany Bennett noted, “The show of support that we received was amazing. It truly warmed our hearts to experience the generosity of the people we met. We appreciated the kind words shared about our mission to serve individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.”

Bennett goes on to express the importance of this fundraiser. “It takes a village, and St. Coletta’s relies on community support such as this to help provide basic living needs, medical care and employment training to those that we serve; these are things that most people take for granted.”

St. Coletta’s would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who donated their time as well as to those who provided donations. Your show of support, kindness, and generosity have brightened the lives of the individuals that we serve.

St. Coletta's of Illinois, celebrating its 70th year, provides services to over 250 adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through educational, vocational and residential programming. If you are interested in learning more about St. Coletta's of Illinois or would like to schedule a tour of the Tinley Park facility, please contact Annette Skafgaard at 708-342-5200.

St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more about St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation, please contact the Foundation Office at 708-342-5298 or visit our website at www.stcolettail.org.