LOOP
Caroline Walker-Ireland is finding if difficult to pay for food, utilities and other essentials for her two daughters and three foster children. As a result, this year she could not afford a Christmas tree.
On Saturday, Walker-Ireland and her family were given a tree. One of over one thousand delivered to Navy Pier aboard the Coast Guard cutter, Mackinaw. It has a lond-standing tradition of delivering Christmas trees from northern Michigan to needy families in Chicago.
"This means everything to my children," said Walker-Ireland of Chicago. "They can have a happy holiday and know that Christmas is real."
In a rocky economy where record numbers are seeking assistance, several Chicago-area organizations Saturday showed that needy families can still find help during the holidays.
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WEST LOOP
On Saturday, Catholic Charities and Chicago firefighters took more than 3,000 bikes and toys for needy children to a distribution center. Toys were loaded onto more than a dozen firetrucks and ambulances which were then delivered to a South Side firefighters union hall to the West Loop.
This yearly event draws people along the way who make contributions of toys. The gifts will be distributed to families during the next two weeks as part of Catholic Charities' Toy Shower.
"With the economy, we're seeing more people who probably wouldn't have asked in the past but are asking now for help," said Mike McDonnell, director of volunteer services for Catholic Charities.
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UPTOWN
Thousands of refugee children arrive in Chicago and other cities every year. To help them appreciate the majesty of America, Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries recently took a group of about 75 kids to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was enjoyed by many.
For 25 years now, Interfaith has acclimated refugee families from all over the world to their new lives in the U.S., helping them learn English, find jobs and everyday matters. Its annual budget is $2.6 million.
Serving about 3,000 clients per year, the Uptown-based non-profit is one of the Chicago-area organizations. It is supported by Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV Holiday Giving, a campaign of Chicago Tribune Charities.
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EDISON PARK
Dance students performed at the newly renovated Little Theater at Resurrection High School, 7500 W. Talcott Ave., in Chicago, for their department's annual holiday recital -- "Tis the Season."
"It's very unusual to have a full dance program at the high-school level," said dance teacher Abby Foster. "The girls are very lucky to have it."
Foster has been dancing since she was three years old. A dance major at Kansas State University, she has led Resurrection's program for the past four years. "There really isn't a holiday theme involved," Foster admitted. "It's just a dance show that happens to be scheduled around the holidays."
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NILES
The Niles Community Rain Garden has been gifted a $5,000 grant by the Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Project.
The rain garden was installed the past summer near the corner of Harlem and Touhy avenues by community volunteers in cooperation with funding from the Coca-Cola Enterprising Bottling Company, the Niles Lions Club, and Groot Industries.
"We are very pleased to receive this highly regarded international grant for our local efforts to promote water stewardship here in Illinois," stated Acting Mayor Robert Callero. "These funds will allow us to further develop the rain garden site and to establish an educational plan to encourage residents, businesses, and institutions to construct and maintain their own rain gardens."
Niles' community rain garden is run by volunteers and students from the Notre Dame High School Environmental Adventure Club.
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JENNIFER ARCAND & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
