Happy Holidays! This is my favorite time of year to spend with my family. As parents, we’re enlisted to try our best to make our kids’ holiday as magical as possible. (Hopefully our Macaroni Kid page has made that a little bit easier.) I also find that this time of year is a perfect chance to teach and remind our children how important it is to think of our neighbors and help them as much as possible. Sometimes, kids get so wrapped up in the act of receiving that they forget how wonderful it is to give to others, especially those who are not as lucky as they are. We, as parents, can help them grow the heart of a Santa’s elf!
I have put together a list of some places and organizations in our area that could really use your family’s help this holiday season. Whether the kids earn money around the house or ask friends, family and neighbors for donations, it can all be helpful for those in need. They can either donate the money or you can make it into a fun family shopping trip, and actually pick out the things to help others! Just so you know, most of these websites have a list of wants or needs to make shopping a bit easier. Showing the children just how much fun it can be to be Santa’s elves for others will hopefully inspire them to keep that giving spirit all year round!
On a personal note, I’d like to share our family tradition with you and your family. Every year, in early December we have a family movie night and watch Toy Story 3 (the one where Andy ends up giving his toys to a younger child.) The next day, my boys go through their (far too many) toys and think about whether there is another child that might play with that toy and enjoy it more than they do. If so, the kids put them in the donate boxes and we drive them to donation spots and wish them all a great new life with their new little human. We usually take them to Goodwill so that other parents can find great toys for their kiddos as well, every child deserves a present on the holidays. (Sneaky parent hack, keep an eye on what they choose to donate. Sometimes, it can be an item that they might realize later meant more to them than they first thought so snatch those items out. Also, it’s a great time to purge any broken or tattered toys to make room for any gifts they might get~ if they have been good all year of course!)
Wauconda Island Lake Food Pantry
505 West Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
Located behind the Township Building
www.wilfp.org
Give them a call and they would be happy to talk to you or direct you to someone who can help answer your questions at 847-526-8684. Or you can contact them at infowilfp@gmail.com.
Faith Feeds - Food Pantry on Rand
1585 N Rand Rd, Palatine, IL 60074
Located in the Park Place Shopping Center
(847) 991-2080
The Hope Center- Social Services Organization
https://thehopecenter.com
23213 W Miller Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847.719.7909 English or 224.633.3877 Español
hello@thehopecenter.com
JOURNEYS | The Road Home (Supporting the Unhoused)
www.journeystheroadhome.org/
1140 E Northwest Hwy, Palatine
(847) 963-9163
info@journeystheroadhome.org
Home of the Sparrow
https://hosparrow.org/store/palatine/
The sales of donated items go to support the unhoused, struggling mothers and children.
275 E Northwest Highway Palatine, IL 60067
847-705-6852
E@hosparrow.org
Emmaus House of Hospitality
https://emmaus-house.org
Provide food, clothes, and funding for shelter to families and individuals in need.
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
135 S. Buesching Rd Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Phone: 847-814-0212
Email: EmmausHouse@outlook.com
CASA Lake County
Starbucks Lake Zurich (Across from Costco)
They have a giving tree and caffeine! Woohoo!
Any Goodwill store or resale shop could use our support this time of year.
*Or……. Is your family as obsessed with animals as mine? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!*
Second City Canine Rescue – Rescuing Responsibly℠
www.sccrescue.org
*My family actually fosters for this rescue! We have a mama and her 4 tiny puppies right now!*
PHONE 847.807.5364 FAX 847.807.4407
570 N. Smith St., Palatine IL 60067
Fur Keeps Animal Rescue - Animal Rescue, Holistic Vet
https://Furkeepsanimalrescue.org
847-381-8458
142 Old Dundee Rd, Barrington, IL 60010
Barb's Precious Rescue | Saving Cats & Kittens
www.barbsrescue.org
313 N. Quentin Rd Palatine, Illinois 60067
(847) 406-6968
Hours: Sundays 10:30am - 12:30pm & Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm
