Rosary High student makes sweet dreams for impoverish youth
Piper Winkler, a freshman at Rosary High School in Aurora, recently put together 77 “Good Night Bundles” which she gave to the Humanitarian Service Project, located in Carol Stream. These bundles are the result of “Good Night, Sleep Tight”, a program started by Winkler and her friend, 8th grader Ana Powell. HSP will distribute these bedtime bundles to impoverished children in DuPage and Kane Counties through their Children's Birthday Project and Christmas Offering programs.
Each bundle includes pajamas, books, and either a stuffed animal or a blanket and socks, depending on the age of the child in need. Winkler and Powell even went the extra mile and themed these bundles. For example, the “Monkey Bundle” contains monkey print pajamas, a monkey stuffed animal, and a Curious George book.
After realizing that many children do not have the luxury of some of these nighttime amenities, and reading about Rosary's long history of service, Winkler was inspired to create “Good Night, Sleep Tight”. Through her program, Winkler hopes to provide needy children with “added warmth and comfort for the cold winter months ahead”.
Winkler and Powell were not alone in their efforts. They received support from Winkler's parents, Chris and Michelle Winkler, and from the congregation at First United Methodist Church in Geneva. Stating that the most important lesson Winkler learned from this experience is that, “service helps bring people together”, she is very grateful for the opportunity to serve those in need as well as the chance to be able to grow closer to those who supported and helped her with this project.
In addition to the items given to HSP, “Good Night, Sleep Tight” also provided bundles for the impoverished children served by the Hesed House in Aurora. Thanks to Winkler and Powell's selflessness and hard work, their belief that “every child should go to bed comfortably and peacefully” will help over 77 needy children, and their parents, rest easier this winter.
The Children's Birthday Project serves over 900 impoverished children throughout DuPage and Kane between the ages of 3-11. Every year on the child's birthday they receive a “Birthday Box”, which includes 6-10 new toys, 6 books, stuffed animals as well as party and school supplies. Every box ensures that each child will have a fun-filled and memorable birthday. Children served by the program also receive gifts at Christmas time through HSP's Christmas Offering. HSP also provides food for 150 and 100 of the neediest families enrolled in this program at different times of the year through their Christmas Offering and summertime Feed the Kids program.
About The Humanitarian Service Project:
HSP's mission is to alleviate the pain and suffering that poverty creates in seniors and children living in DuPage and Kane Counties, Illinois. Last year during the Christmas Offering, 1,600 children received gifts and 150 impoverished families received three weeks of groceries, frozen meats, and fresh produce. With the Senior Citizen Project, HSP provides monthly food deliveries of 100 pounds including fresh produce, frozen meats, non-perishables, paper products and secret pal gifts to 123 low-income seniors. The Children's Birthday Project reaches the youngest underprivileged, making birthdays and Christmas truly memorable occasions for 900 children. Feed the Kids program provides 100 low-income families and 375 children with groceries and fresh produce worth $1,500 retail in total for the summer. HSP conducts an annual school supply drive, which sends supplies to the DuPage Back to School Fair in addition to furnishing schools and individual children with necessary supplies.
For information, email hsp@humanitarianservice.org or call 630-221-8340. Visit www.humanitarianservice.org or read the blog at humanitarianserviceproject.blogspot.com.
It is located at 465 Randy Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188.