Volunteers organize a “miracle” for DuPage families
Stephanie Lampkin smiled when she picked up a pink, princess teddy bear for her 3-year-old daughter Tuesday morning at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
And she had only one word for the thousands of books, board games and other toys piled up inside a makeshift shop.
“Wow,” the Lombard mom said.
Her family is one of at least 900 receiving donated gifts for the holidays as part of Share the Spirit, an annual program organized by the Wheaton-based People's Resource Center for its clients.
“This is our biggest year ever,” Executive Director Kim Perez said.
Roughly 250 volunteers sort toys, wrap gifts and spread a little holiday cheer over the three-day event for families in need. It's a “miracle” that happens every year, said Jeanmarie Walsh, the volunteer coordinator.
“I get goose bumps just talking about it,” Walsh, 60, of Wheaton, said.
Donations arrive at the fairgrounds Sunday, and then volunteers do some shopping, searching for needed items. According to Perez, the Wheaton nonprofit expanded its budget by 20 percent for this year's Share the Spirit.
“Every year we say a prayer and cross our fingers,” said Melissa Travis, the senior director of programs. “Every year, we are astonished by the generosity.”
Every year, Shirley Willis drives 392 miles from her Eden Prairie, Minn., home and takes a week's worth of vacation from work to volunteer for Share the Spirit. She used to live in Carol Stream before her job moved to Minneapolis more than a decade ago. But she still loads her car with toys and sorts them for local families.
“That's my Christmas,” said Willis, 52, wearing a red-and-green elf hat.
Families shop for gifts appropriate for their child's age, gender and interests.
“People can actually have the dignity of picking what they want for their kids,” Willis said.
Melinda Prokop, of Westmont, searched Tuesday for Spiderman-related toys for her two kids, ages 13 and 6. She said it was her second year at Share the Spirit after needing time off work to recover from foot surgery.
Prokop said she'll have to hide the toys in her laundry machine from her kids, who stayed up all night last year to “catch Santa.”
“It's emotional,” Prokop said of the program. “They are helping you give to your kids.”
Families started signing up for the program in November and received an appointment time to shop after the nonprofit evaluated them on factors such as income and family size. They must also live in DuPage County.
The event continues at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Perez said People's Resource Center is still accepting donations, including cash, through Wednesday morning.
As a result of the program, Perez said families won't have to make tough decisions like forgoing trips to the grocery store in order to put gifts under their Christmas tree.
“Their hope comes from seeing their children experience joy in the holiday season,” she said.
If you go
What: The Wheaton-based People's Resource Center is accepting donated toys for its Share the Spirit Program.
When: 8:30 a.m. today
Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
Info: (630) 682-5402 http://www.peoplesrc.org/default.aspx