Local charity shares Christmas joy with those in need
The Humanitarian Service Project (HSP,) a local charity based in Carol Stream, is in the midst of its annual Christmas Offering program.
Starting Dec. 13 and concluding Monday, Dec. 23, HSP will distribute Christmas gifts to 123 seniors citizens and over 1,700 impoverished children throughout DuPage and Kane counties.
Furthermore, HSP has already distributed over 25 tons of nutritious groceries to the 123 seniors and 150 impoverished families. Along with the help of generous contributions from members of the community, it is excited to be providing these services to needy children and seniors once again.
HSP's Christmas Offering officially began on Dec. 13 when HSP delivered Christmas gifts to 163 needy children who attend Lake Park Elementary School in Addison. The program continued on Saturday, Dec. 14 as HSP's staff and volunteers provided 150 needy area families with Christmas gifts and 250 pounds of nutritious groceries each.
When HSP concludes its final Christmas Offering distribution on Monday, Dec. 23, the charity will have served an estimated 1,700 needy children and 123 senior citizens, the largest offering in the program's 35-year history.
Throughout every step of preparation and execution of the Christmas Offering, members of the community have been engaged with HSP to make the program a success. Hundreds of volunteers have given their time and hundreds more have donated toys and gifts to benefit the needy seniors and families served by the program. For those interested in contributing to the project HSP is calling on members of the community willing to provide financial support to recoup the costs of running the program. A donation of $60 covers the cost of each needy family served by the program.
Since its inception in 1979, HSP's Christmas Offering program has spread holiday joy to the neediest members of local communities. HSP's Executive Director, Kristin Maxwell said of the project, “The goal of the Christmas Offering has always been to serve those burdened most by poverty. We at HSP have been blessed to be at the forefront year after year, to see the amazing impact that we can make as a community to spread the spirit of compassion and giving.”
Contact the Humanitarian Service Project:
hsp@humanitarianservice.org.
HSP's website: www.humanitarianservice.org
HSP's blog: humanitarianserviceproject.blogspot.com.
About The Humanitarian Service Project:
HSP's mission is to alleviate the pain and suffering that poverty creates in seniors and children living in DuPage and Kane counties, Illinois. Last year during the Christmas Offering Project, 1,636 children received gifts and 150 impoverished families received three weeks of groceries, frozen meats, and fresh produce. With the Senior Citizen Project, HSP provides a monthly food delivery and secret pal gifts to 123 low-income seniors. The Children's Birthday Project reaches the youngest underprivileged, making birthdays and Christmas truly memorable occasions for 900 children. Feed the Kids provides 100 low-income families with groceries and fresh produce during the summer months. HSP conducts an annual school supplies drive that benefited a total of 5,200 children by giving supplies to the DuPage Back to School Fair and directly to schools and individual children.