Rotarians Warming the Hearts and Minds of Needy Children in Chicago and the North Shore
Continuing our club's 86 year tradition of community service, The Rotary Club of
Donations to our project may be made via Pay Pal by clicking here. $20 provides a new winter coat to a child; $100 provides new coats for 5 children.
“A winter coat is an essential item in Chicago’s winters,” said Chuck Norton, President of the Club. “A coat provides more than just warmth, it allows a child to attend school, where they not only receive an education, they also receive meals. A new coat provides the added benefit of increasing self esteem- who doesn’t like getting new things?”
Coats will be donated to two area social service agencies: Chicago Commons and Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook.
For more than 100 years, Chicago Commons has built and fostered well-being for thousands of children, adults, seniors, and families through programs designed to provide the tools necessary to help strengthen skills and develop self-sufficiency. Operating in neighborhoods where children and families are most at risk for poverty, violence and educational disadvantage, Chicago Commons promotes and fosters lifelong learning through education and support of families with young children; leadership development and healthy life choices among at-risk young people; sustainable economic opportunities for under and unemployed adults; and enhancing the quality of life for older and disabled adults. For more information, visit www.chicagocommons.org.
Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook is devoted to the mental health, character development and physical well-being of children and families in the North Shore communities. Programs include counseling, crisis intervention, social skills groups, after school groups, outreach, homework assistance, and a Holiday Gift program for low income families who need help during the holiday season. Last year, this program served more than 2,200 individuals, and the need has only grown in the past year. For more information, visit www.youthservices-gn.org.
The Rotary Club will acquire new coats from Operation Warm, Inc.®, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to distributing high quality, new winter coats to children living in need. In just over a decade, Operation Warm has distributed more than 600,000 new winter coats to children living ion need throughout the U.S. Area citizens are invited to help the Rotary Club with this project through donations. “A $20 contribution will warm the heart and mind of a child with a new winter coat,” said Mr. Norton. Several fund raising activities are planned, including:
· Rotarian “Guest Bartenders” at Little Ricky’s on Thursday September 23 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
· Displays throughout Winnetka and Northfield, including at the libraries, Winnetka Community House and several area businesses.
The project will be funded by the club’s charitable foundation, a grant from Rotary District 6440 and individual donations. The Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation contributes to local, national and international charities and service projects. Local recipients include the Hadley School for the Blind, the Glencoe Educational Foundation, Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, Communities in Schools Chicago, Haven Youth and Family Services, Jewish Vocational Service and Employment Center and Lawrence Hall Youth Services in Chicago. Internationally, the foundation has supported schools and libraries in Uganda, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Viet Nam.
The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield meets Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:30 at the Winnetka Community House for lunch and a speaker. Membership is open to service oriented residents and workers of the area. Guests are welcome to attend. To learn more about the club and its schedule of lunch programs, visit www.wnrotary.org. Donations to this project may also be made on the club’s website.
About Operation Warm:
Operation Warm is the nation’s largest nonprofit providing new winter coats for children in need. Through its core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork,