Illinois Times invites area non-profit organizations to describe your
special needs this holiday season.
To participate, send us a description of your organization and a summary of
your holiday wish list. Fax the information to 217-753-3958 or e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com
This feature appears weekly through the end of the year. Prior “Lend a hand”
columns are posted on our Web site, www.illinoistimes.com
Care Center of Springfield Inc.
319 N. 1st St., Springfield 62701
217-525-5630
Care Center provides parent education, counseling, pregnancy testing, adoption support, and other free services to families.
Care Center’s wish list includes: new outfits for newborns (to use as birth
gifts), blankets, onesies (especially sizes 6-9 months and 9-12 months), diapers
(especially for newborns and size 4); personal care items for moms (shampoo,
crème rinse, lotions); baby wash, baby lotion, baby wipes, baby oil, baby shampoo;
formula (Simulac with iron); office equipment (printer cartridges: HPC8728A
#28, HPC8727A #27 or #58, HP51645A #45, HP51641A #41, HPC6578A #78; postage
stamps (37- and 23-cent); Kodak photo paper for printing baby pictures).
Central Illinois Foodbank
2000 E. Moffat Ave., Springfield 62704
217-522-4022
The Central Illinois Foodbank was established over 20 years ago to help fight hunger and poverty in central Illinois. Each year, the Foodbank distributes nearly 5 million pounds of donated food to more than 220 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential feeding programs and after-school programs in 21 central Illinois counties. In addition, the Foodbank operates Kids Cafes, an after-school program that provides nutritious meals and carry-home groceries to children and families in need.
The Foodbank’s wish list includes: non-perishable food items (canned fruits
and vegetables, canned meats, ready to make meals, cereal, juice and peanut
butter), paper products (toilet tissue and paper towels), personal care items
(shampoo and soap), children’s games. Donations can be dropped at the Foodbank
between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Committee for Children
“Someone Special Program”
552 S. MacArthur Blvd., Ste. C
Springfield 62704
217-525-0549
The Committee for Children launched its Someone Special Program in 1988 to help children participate in extra-curricular activities their families would otherwise be unable to afford. The group has funded music lessons, basketball, bowling, band instrument purchases and rental, summer camp, and other activities. Children are referred to the program by other social-service agencies.
Financial contributions can be made directly to the Committee or at donation canisters at area restaurants and businesses.
Community Volunteer Center
Registered not-for-profit organizations post their year-round requests for
assistance on the Internet at www.VolunteerIllinois.org
First Presbyterian Food Pantry
321 S. 7th St., Springfield 62701
217-528-4311
Located at 7th & Capitol, First Presbyterian Church provides a variety of worship and service opportunities to its membership and friends. Its food pantry and other direct assistance programs meet the immediate needs of downtown residents who come to the church’s doors each day. Replenishing the pantry is a never-ending challenge, and the level of need continues to rise. First Presbyterian’s wish list includes contributions of diapers and non-perishable food items, especially protein-rich foods. To have donations picked up by church volunteers, call 217-528-4311.
M.E.R.C.Y. Communities
108 E. Cook St., Springfield 62704
217-753-1358
Provides services to the homeless, including a transitional living program that helps up to 10 families (moms and their children) at a time. Families served by M.E.R.C.Y. typically come from a shelter or a situation in which they’ve had to stay temporarily with friends or members of their extended family. M.E.R.C.Y. provides each family a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment. Mothers work with service coordinators on specific goals, such as education, employment and parenting skills. Families stay at M.E.R.C.Y. House for up to two years, and when they leave, they’re allowed to take all the furnishings from their apartment to their new permanent homes.
M.E.R.C.Y.’s wish list includes: diapers (all sizes), laundry detergent, dish soap, paper products (toilet tissue, paper towels, Kleenex etc.), cleaning products, trash bags, new towels, twin sheets and blankets, new pots, pans, silverwear, new winter clothing for children including hats and mittens, children’s games, art supplies and toys.
To make donations, contact Michelle Davis at 753-1358. Furniture donations should be made to M.E.R.C.Y.’s furniture store at 400 S. Grand, 523-7726.
The Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery
1011 N. 7th St., Springfield 62702
217-525-6800
The Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery provides emergency, temporary care for children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Children’s Holiday Store, the crisis nursery’s biggest annual fundraiser, opens Saturday, Nov. 29, at Fairhills Mall. The store has gifts for children priced from 50 cents to $10.
In addition to financial contributions to support the holiday store, the Crisis
Nursery accepts donations of toys, clothing and children’s books. It also posts
an updated wish list on its Web site at www.miniobeirne.org
Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony
P.O. Box 2224, Springfield 62705
The Youth Symphony gives young people an opportunity to participate in an
orchestra. It serves more than 100 student members in three symphonic groups.
The group’s only paid employee is a conductor. The organization is soliciting
monetary contributions to support the purchase of musical instruments, music
stands and chairs, and office equipment.
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2003.
