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August 2011 News
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As you have noticed, we changed our design view!
You can click on the headlines below to go directly to the article!
Our Comcast readers, please scroll down to read the articles, unfortunately Comcast does not support the headline index.
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~Karole's Korner~
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Dear Friends,
xxxxx“Back to School” - How different it is today from when I was growing up in the 50’s. The financial burden of putting together the many school supplies averages to be $60, not including the backpack. For the older children, who are asked to come prepared with a scientific calculator which costs between $30 and $50 alone, is a difficult task to accomplish. The possibilities of that happening are really rare. How do they expect to be equipped and ready to learn?
xxxxxHere at HSP, we have sadly learned that the problems of helping the needy children have really increased. With less and less help to supply the great need which has been growing every year.
xxxxxWe have therefore decided to get the word out as much as possible throughout September and October. Last year, we worked with 36 schools and tried to fill all of their requests.
xxxxxHoping this call for help will be answered by as many of you as possible. Thanks to all of you who have already contributed. So far we have served 456 children after we sent two full cargo vans to the Back to School Fair on August 3rd.
xxxxxBlessings to you all.
Yours in Love and Service
Karole Kettering
Co-Founder/Executive Director
xxxxx
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URGENT: SCHOOL SUPPLIES GREATLY NEEDED!!!
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SCHOOL TIME IS AROUND THE CORNER, and there are hundreds of needy families still looking for school supplies.
Many of you have answered our call for help!
Thank you!
You have made a tremendous difference in children’s lives, helping send these most deserving children back to school ready to learn.
With hundreds of needy families still looking for help, HSP continues to actively gather school supplies to aid these deserving families in the hour of need.
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The following materials are currently needed:
· Pens (Black, Red, Blue), Highlighters, Pencils and Erasers
· Rulers and Protractors
· Colored Folders, Index Cards, and Post-It Notes
· Notebooks and Notebook Paper (Wide-ruled and College-ruled)
· Safety Scissors
· Crayons, Markers, and Colored Pencils
· Glue and Glue Sticks
· Calculators
· Backpacks
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With your help, we can make a difference!
Please give us a call at 630-221-8340 or e-mail to hsp@humanitarianservice.org for details or to get a back-to-school shopping list.
Or just bring your school supplies donation to our center located at:
465 Randy Road,
Carol Stream, IL 60188
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Adopt a Senior: Getting to Know Mary Jo
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Before our Program, Mary Jo had to go without Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
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.....Mary Jo, who turned 66 this year, has to stretch an income of $979 a month, with a rent of $1000 a month.
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.....“It’s been difficult. I’ve had to draw from my husband’s insurance,” says Mary Jo, who lost her husband to a heart attack last year. “But I love this house, it’s home to me, so I’d like to stay here as long as I can.” She applied and is signed up for subsidized housing, but remains on a waiting list. Until she is able to get into subsidized housing, finances will continue to be extremely tight. But Mary Jo looks on the bright side, despite her rough circumstances. “I’ve been overwhelmed by people’s generosity over the last year. It’s been wonderful,” she says.
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.....Mary Jo has been coping with MS for years, but now it’s starting to infringe on some of her abilities. “It’s affecting my balance and my fine motor skills,” she says, but she remains positive; “I have less muscle control than other people, but otherwise my health is good.” She is on medication for her cholesterol, covered by Medicare, after suffering a heart attack several years ago.
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.....Mary Jo also has some issues with mobility. “I have to use a walker or cane to go outside and can only stand for about 20 minutes before I need to sit down and rest,” she says, “But my biggest challenge is just keeping my energy level up. I get tired so quickly. It’s even difficult for me to stand at the stove and cook a meal. I have a chair in my kitchen so I can sit and rest, but I cook most things in the microwave, so that makes life easier.”
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.....Mary Jo likes to keep herself busy by listening to audio mysteries on tape, sewing quilts and on nicer days, when she’s feeling up to it, she enjoys gardening in her yard.
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.....Though Mary Jo is perfectly self-sufficient when it comes to keeping herself active, she has not been so fortunate to keep herself afloat, financially. Before enrolling in the Senior Citizen Project with HSP, she couldn’t afford groceries for balanced meals all month.
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.....“I had food stamps, but I could rarely get fruits and vegetables because they’re much more expensive,” she says. She had to get by on cheaper, less nutritious food, which is a serious risk factor for someone with heart problems.
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.....Now, she’s able to enjoy 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables, daily. “There’s nothing I’d change about your program,” she says. “It’s been great for me.”
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.....Though Mary Jo suffers from health issues and financial hardship, our support no doubt has made a positive difference in her life. She’s extremely grateful for the monthly deliveries of bright, juicy fruits and fresh green vegetables, 7 frozen meats, 5 bags of non-perishable foods, 2 bags of paper products, and personal care items.
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.....“I am absolutely happy with the amount I receive. You always give me everything I need,” she says. She especially loves receiving apples, oranges, bananas, and avocados, but assures, “Nothing goes to waste!”
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.....The monthly food deliveries make it possible to nourish Mary Jo’s body and soul. “It’s comforting to know groceries are coming every month and it’s always fun to see what I get,” she says.
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.....“You’ve really eliminated the stress of not knowing where everything is going to come from and having to find the strength to get out and shop. I want to thank everyone that participates in HSP’s service.”
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We have enrolled Mary Jo into our program without a sponsor because of her dire circumstances.
Would you or a group of your friends be able to help HSP continue our services to her?
A sponsorship is only:
$800/year or $70/ month
A co-sponsorship is only:
$400/year or $35/month
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Click 'N Donate
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(Links below! Click on underlined
text for more information.)
Network for Good
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Feed the Kids 2011 Recap
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We are happy to report that we distributed a total 750 pounds of groceries to each family, serving a total of: 98 families (339 children) in June 90 families (317 children) in July 100 families (378 children) in August
We were able to take your sponsorship of $225 per family and through leveraging donations and volunteer help, turn that into approximately $1,500 (retail value) of groceries distributed to each family!!!
A BIG Thank You goes to EVERYONE who participated in this event. You made a TREMENDOUS difference in lives of needy families.
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Meal of the Month Seeks Volunteers for August & September
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Many of the impoverished seniors we serve through our Senior Citizen Project are shut-ins and could never afford to go out to a restaurant. Our Meal of the Month program provides the senior with the next best thing, a home-cooked or restaurant-bought meal that is provided by a volunteer.
The seniors in the program have been just ecstatic about this "sharing and caring" meal that our wonderful helpers provide:
One of our seniors Dorothy R. said,
“I can become very lonely on a normal day, holidays can be worse. There have been many times when I have been alone on the holidays. My daughters have families of their own and may not always have the chance to make it my way. Those are really painful days. The meal of the month program really brightens my outlook. It just makes me so happy! I now look forward to each month and what they’ll bring me.”
We currently have 2 seniors who need volunteers to provide and deliver their meals in August and are in need of 41 more volunteers for the month of September.
Interested volunteers would be sent the name, address, and phone number of a senior in our program that is living at the poverty level.
Volunteers would call the senior to set up a date and time to deliver the meal as well as to obtain the senior’s meal preference.
We recommend that the volunteer provide the senior with 3 meal options to choose from and make note of any dietary restrictions.
Many of our donors have also had wonderful experiences:
"Both Maria and Bertha welcomed me into their homes and were very glad to see me. They were warm and friendly, which made this experience that much more rewarding! I got hugs from both. As I drove away, I had time to reflect and it made me very proud of these ladies that live alone. They are strong, confident ladies... If in some small way, I am helping them not to feel so alone, then I have done God's work and am very blessed and privileged to be a part of your organization." ~Volunteer, Laura
Sign me up!
We are still looking for volunteers for the following seniors and towns for the month of August:
Glen Ellyn:Francilla & Ed
If you have not worked with us before, we would need the name and phone number of 2 professional references. They can be from a business, church group, club or other organization.
Please let us know if you are interested in helping as soon as possible, 630-221-8340 or by email, scp@humanitarianservice.org
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Toasters and Blenders and Chairs, Oh My!
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7 seniors are requesting Microwaves
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xxxxxThis past month HSP made calls to all of our seniors and delivered over 20 box fans when the heat was on.
xxxxxWe were very fortunate to receive other items for our seniors this month such as coffee makers, toasters, sheet sets, and crock pots.
xxxxxHowever, we still have quite a few seniors requesting larger or more expensive items to help make their lives easier and more comfortable.
xxxxxIf you or someone you know can help us out, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Our Seniors are requesting:
Air conditioner for Susie Y, Georgia, Barbara X, Darling, Regina, & Joann
Air mattress for Hattie
Bench (high so she can sit and do dishes) for Mirella
Blender for Leone
Bunk Bed for George
Chair – (Glider) for Judith and Darlene X.
Chair – (Recliner) for Darlene X, Essie, & Waltraud
Comforter for Georgia (King size-pink or burgundy), Darling (Queen), Elizabeth (King), & Rose (Twin).
Computer Monitors for Leone, Rose, Mary Ellen, Bertha, Magdelena, Beatrice, & Susie X
Cordless Phone for Dorothy, Eddie, & Mary
Counter Height Stools for L.A. & Mae
Crock Pot for Ethel & Dolores
Cushions for Kitchen Chairs for Shirley
Desk for Eleanor and Judith
Dresser for Robert and Betty
Electric Skillet for Ethel and Dolores
Exercise Bike for Regina
Food Processor for Barbara X, Homer & Antionette, Georgia, & Dorothy X
George Forman Grill for Georgia
Humidifier for Dorothy Y and Leone
Ironing Board for Johnietta, Joseph & Ellen, Maria, Shirley, & Annie
Kitchen Chairs for Darlene
Lawn Mower for Beatrice
Full Mattress for Ethel and Hattie
Microwave for Regina, Maria X, Homer & Antoinette, Doris, Judith, Isis, & Leone
Mini Fridge for Connie, Susie, Darling, Maria Y
Patio Chairs for Maria
Silverware for Janice, Doris, Dolores, Della, Betty, & Leone
Sofa/Couch for Darlene X & Darlene Y
Sofa Bed for Mohammed
Table for Judith (black end table)
Toaster for Jacqueline, Ruth
Treadmill for Georgia
TV Trays for Dolores
Vacuum for Barbara (hand-held), Fallah
Please contact us if you are able to help: 630-221-8340 or email scp@humanitarianservice.org.
The more information you can give us about the item the better.
Frequently we will ask questions about the size of the item and its age and condition.
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Calcu-Now
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xxxxxI find myself blessed to be working at HSP. By working here, I get to see hundreds of children's faces. And nothing is more innocent and charming than a child's smile. We bring smiles to children's faces, children who do not have as much as other kids. Growing in poverty, these deserving children do not get the toys, the clothes, nor the nutrition that their peers do. Their parents have to sacrifice these things in order to provide food and a place to live. Most of these children do not even have school supplies to start a new year.
HSP is in dire need of school supplies,
and especially scientific calculators.
xxxxxThe scientific calculators make a tremendous impact in education, and are now required in most schools.
With your help, we can provide these children with the supplies that their schools require.
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Entertainment Coupon Books are Here!
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The 2011-2012 Entertainment Coupon Savings Books have arrived!
The cost of each book is $25 (with net proceeds going directly to support HSP!) and contains over $14,500 worth of savings!
A few of the many highlights from the book include:
- $15 off Admission to Six Flags Great America
- Four Lawn Tickets to the Schaumberg Flyers
- Free general admission to the Museum of Science and Industry
- Additional discounts can be found at retailers such as Dicks Sporting Goods and Bed Bath and Beyond just to same a few!
Entertainment Books may be purchased at our center located at465 Randy Rd.,Carol Stream, IL 60188.
- The average coupon book user saves over $180 on things they would have purchased anyway. START SAVING TODAY!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at 630-221-8340 or hsp@humanitarianservice.org
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Get Out the Good Word
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We would really appreciate it, and we invite you to write a letter to the editor of the Chicago Tribune (email: ctc-tribletter@tribune.com), Daily Herald, Sun Times or other newspaper regarding the HSP's good works in the community and the impact volunteering with us has had on their lives.
Click on the above newspapers to write a letter to the editor.
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