Community aids backstretch kids

The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago recently led a special program, a "Backpacks for the Back-Stretch Kids" drive.

The backstretch is the housing complex at Arlington Park, where racetrack workers and their families live in tiny row-houses during the months the track is open and through the end of September.

These families, mostly immigrants, live in poverty and the backpack project provided some much needed support for some 220 children and their parents!

Upon becoming aware of their situation and wanting to lend support, The Volunteer Center was advised the children were in great need of backpacks and school supplies. An announcement was sent out to the community, and several concerned organizations and individuals stepped forward to answer the call.

After several days and hours of collecting donations, shopping, sorting, and packaging schoolbags and supplies, we had five vehicles -- filled to overflowing -- convoy to the backstretch, where we were met by the awaiting children and their parents.

The organized distribution process we had carefully planned was quickly replaced with pandemonium as our enthusiastic audience crowded in to get a closer peek at what awaited them.

Excitement quickly overcame them! The wide bright eyes and big smiles of the children were an absolute joy to behold as they watched, waited, received and were then in awe as they inspected their wonderful gifts!

This entire experience was the result of the direct kindness and response of the community. With kind support received, we more than met our goal, and were able to purchase additional items for all the children. The Volunteer Center would like to acknowledge and thank:

Numerous individual employees of Motorola Schaumburg and Motorola Arlington Heights; employees of Citigroup Elk Grove; Scranton Gillette Communications of Arlington Heights and their employees; Phoenix International of Wood Dale; Abby Horan Charities; the Palatine Jaycees; and Kwik Kopy Arlington Heights.

The community heard, the community responded -- and their kindness has touched and enriched the lives of needy children!

If you or your business would like to learn more about how to serve the community, we invite you to call me at The Volunteer Center, (847) 228-1320.

Lyn Neuhengen

The Volunteer Center

Arlington Heights