Rotary citrus sale to help buy coats for kids in need

Shorter days and a chill in the air are sure signs that cold winter days will soon be here. Unfortunately, not everyone will be ready for its arrival. With poverty reaching an all-time high in the United States, more children than ever are at risk of not having proper winter clothing, meaning they sometimes may need to stay home from school.

For its second year, the Rotary Club of Mount Prospect–Prospect Heights will again provide new winter coats to area children living in households with limited financial resources. These coats will allow children to go to school with pride and ready to learn on cold Chicago winter days.

The club will provide new coats to the Human Services departments of Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights for its annual Holiday Thanksgiving Food Program. Last year, this program provided 90 children with new winter coats.

The club will acquire high-quality new coats from Operation Warm; a Rotarian founded nonprofit focused on providing new winter coats to children throughout the United States. This year, 200,000 children will receive Operation Warm coats; bringing the total to 1 million children served since its start in 1998. Operation Warm makes coats available to service organizations and groups, schools and nonprofits serving the poor at wholesale like pricing.

Now through Nov. 28, the Rotary Club of Mount Prospect–Prospect Heights is taking orders for mid-December delivery of fresh-picked citrus from Florida’s renowned Indian River Citrus District. Proceeds from this annual event help to fund coats for needy children through Operation Warm. Navel oranges, grapefruit and mixed oranges and grapefruit cartons are available from $20-$25.

Delivery will be in time for holiday gift giving. Purchases for donation to the local food pantry are also welcome.

Order forms are available from club members. You can also call club President Jim Uszler at (224) 659-9030. To place your order by phone.

The Rotary Club of Mount Prospect–Prospect Heights meets Mondays from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Mount Prospect for lunch and a speaker. Membership is open to service oriented residents and workers of the area. Guests are welcome to attend. To learn more about the club and its schedule of lunch programs, visit www.mp-phrotary.org.

The Rotary Club is also accepting donations from local citizens and businesses who would like to help. Each $20 donation provides a child in need with a new winter coat. Tax deductible donations may be sent to Mount Prospect–Prospect Heights Rotary Charitable Foundation, PO Box 292, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.

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