Nonprofit ready for Christmas donations

Community Christmas Inc. is gearing up for this year's holiday season.

This non-profit organization was developed more than 23 years ago to make the holidays brighter for many families in the Cary, Fox River Grove and Oakwood Hills.

For families without adequate income, each year Christmas becomes a reality as the non-profit helps provide toys, food certificates, household essentials, clothing, winter gear and school supplies for children in these families.

Assistance is available to families, couples, single parents and seniors residing in Cary, Fox River Grove and Oakwood Hills.

Last year, this group of volunteers provided assistance for 160 families with 458 children and 55 seniors. This year, the application process which must be completed to receive assistance, will be conducted at the Crystal Lake Salvation Army from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays, at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave. Call (815) 455-2769.

The application deadline is Nov. 27.

Volunteers are already working with local organizations for the development of fundraising programs as well as toy and food collections.

The group headquarters all activities at the Algonquin Township Hall on Route 14 between Cary and Crystal Lake.

Dana Turskey, president of CCI, along with vice president Danielle Gambrill and secretary Jenna Ritsos, have worked in most functions of this volunteer group.

Their reward comes from the smiles of the kids and the seniors as well as the genuine "thank you" received from parents.

CCI is an Illinois nonprofit organization and is also recognized as an IRS 501(c)3 charity. Donations made to CCI are tax-deductible to the extent allowed.

Donations can be sent to Community Christmas Inc., P.O. Box 445, Cary, IL. 60013. For more information, call Turskey at (847) 639-9124.