Art supplies given to needy children by church women's society

Recently, the Woman's Society of 1st Congregationalist Church in Western Springs ran an art drive, to provide new, art and craft supplies to needy children for their birthdays. The group collected nine bags full of supplies including such items as, colored pencils, watercolors, glitter glue, and numerous types of coloring books. The group then donated the supplies to the Humanitarian Service Project (HSP,) of DuPage County, who will distribute the supplies among the 900 needy children served by their Children's Birthday Project. The Woman's Society regularly runs service projects, or charitable drives, as part of their monthly meetings, and makes supporting the needy children, and senior citizens, served by HSP, an annual tradition.

HSP's Children's Birthday Project serves 900 needy children between the ages of 3 and 11 in DuPage, and parts of, Kane Counties. These art supplies will reach these children as part of the 20-25 lb “Birthday Box” they receive. In addition to art supplies each box contains: school supplies, 6 new books, and 6-10 new toys, stuffed animals, numerous smaller “filler gifts, and “party in a box kits” which contain all of the supplies to throw a memorable birthday party. The children enrolled in the program, along with their siblings up to age 15, also receive a minimum of three gifts at Christmas through HSP's annual Christmas Offering. A number of the families served through the project also receive 3 weeks worth of nutritious groceries at Christmas time, and in the summer months to help combat hunger.