Western Springs Gives Warmth!

Western Springs, you’ve done it again. Another year, another chance to keep others warm.

This year hundreds of young people and their families at the Morton East Freshman Center will have a warmer winter, thanks to the generosity of their neighbors who dug into their closets to “Give Warmth” to those who need it. They had a helping hand from Village True Value Hardware, Casey’s and the Theatre of Western Springs, local business partners that served as collecting points for the project.

That collection brought in more than 500 winter coats, hats, scarves and boots in the 100 bags collected, sized and bagged by church members. “It was an effort, but we knew we were helping someone have an easier winter,” one church member said.

The clothing was distributed earlier this month during the Morton Freshman Center’s parent-teacher conferences in Cicero. Some items still bore tags. Some were purchased with the children in mind. Some were gently used. All were appreciated, as testified by the shouts of delight when student met a “new” coat.

The project began when school librarian Mary Burke saw children at her school shivering in the cold. “They had no better clothing for winter, and many had come from a warmer climate. I just had to do something,” she said.

After years of coordinating this effort on her own, Mary and her neighbor, Cari Stables of the Western Springs church, had a happenstance conversation that led to creation of a special partnership. As they say, the rest is history. Stables was able to rally her church, and the “Give Warmth” project grew. “We’re looking for ways to say we care, and this says it,” she said. “It’s truly a gift from the entire community.”

Mary Burke spearheads the project every year, being rewarded by smiles from students and their parents. “It’s great to see them bundled up. No, it won’t solve all their problems, but they are so grateful for what is given,” she said.