Wheaton group asking everyone to share the spirit

Grown-ups in DuPage County aren't the only ones helping neighbors in need this holiday season.

Many children raked leaves during fall and completed other chores to earn allowance money and help with Share the Spirit, an annual program for families in need hosted by the Wheaton-based People's Resource Center.

Donations of new items and gift cards for Share the Spirit will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Then a makeshift shop at the fairgrounds will give underprivileged families the chance to browse Dec. 8-10.

Mary Ellen Durbin, executive director of the People's Resource Center, said many children want to mirror their parents' acts of kindness during the holidays and save up money to donate a small gift.

"The kids will often pick out something for their own age that they would like to receive and then donate it" Durbin said. "And that's great because who of us doesn't recognize that our children need to have an education in what it is to go through human need."

Last year, Share the Spirit served more than 800 DuPage families, all who were evaluated by People's Resource Center for income and other factors.

But Durbin said more than 2,700 low-income families live in DuPage and donations are especially needed this year due to the economic recession.

While the resource center has received a fair amount of cash donations, Durbin said the organization is short on actual gift contributions and hoping generous residents will make up the difference during Sunday's collection event.

"Right now, maybe the economy isn't impacting you personally, but it's impacting someone in your neighborhood," she said. "Eventually, it will impact us all because we are all going to be involved in the shortfall or the recovery."

Families who visit the Share the Sprit shop can choose from children's toys, household items, gift cards to grocery stores and big-box retailers like Target and Wal-Mart. All donated items must be brand new.

Durbin said the families receiving gifts aren't the only ones who benefit. "It's totally reciprocal because giving also feeds your own spirit," she said.

To help with the program, you can mail a check to "Share the Spirit," 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Make checks payable to "People's Resource Center." Please put your name and address on your check, so the organization can thank you and send you a tax receipt. You can also make a donation at the secure Web site: peoplesrc.org.

Or you can drop off unwrapped gift items or gift certificates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton.

Items needed in brand new condition are:

• Food certificates from major chains like Jewel, Dominick's, Aldi's or Ultra of $5, $10, $20, $25.

• Gift Certificates from Target, T.J. Maxx, Kohl's or Wal-Mart of $5, $10, $20, $25 and please be sure the dollar amount of the certificate appears on it.

• Household items like blenders, casserole dishes, coffee pots, crockpots, small electric grills, rice steamers, griddles, hand mixers, dishes and flatware to serve four, pots and pans.

• Children's items like books, games, children's videos, puzzles, hats and mittens for ages newborn to 11.

Anyone wanting to help beyond donating can volunteer to sort donations on Dec. 7 and assist families with selecting gifts Dec. 8-10. If you would like to help, call (630) 682-5402, ext. 325 and leave your name and number.