‘It’s all of our responsibility’: Woodfield Area Children’s Organization, helping kids for 46 years
When Schaumburg-area business owners gathered in 1979 to establish a charitable organization, they had one stated goal: Let’s try to help some kids.
And the Woodfield Area Children's Organization was born.
It is one of five charities set to receive grants through the Daily Herald/Robert R. McCormick Foundation's fifth annual Neighbors in Need fundraising campaign. As part of the partnership, the McCormick Foundation contributes 50 cents for every dollar readers donate to the fund.
“Our mission is to create positive childhood memories and provide basic needs for children living at or below poverty level,” said Bill Benedict, president of the organization whose motto is: you never stand so tall as when you kneel to help a child.
Last Friday, in collaboration with Jewel-Osco, volunteers gathered for WACO's Partnering with Pallets Thanksgiving drive to deliver food to needy families. It is one of several events WACO members participate in throughout the year.
In the fall, they provide youngsters with backpacks and school supplies. In the winter, they collect coats, hats, mittens and boots for an annual clothing drive.
“We’re known as the essentials charity,” said Benedict. “We ask the agencies, what do you need? How can we help?”
To that end, WACO partners with the Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County, Children’s Home & Aid, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 Foundation Food 4 Thought Program and others.
Among WACO’s signature initiatives is its annual holiday shopping excursion held at Walmart over two Saturdays in December, where up to 800 children ages 3 to 5 shop for gifts for themselves, their siblings and their parents. They’re welcomed by Santa Claus, who arrives on a fire truck, and they’re assisted by high school volunteers, some of whom participated in the program themselves when they were younger, Benedict said.
“It’s the only time you’ll see high school kids up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning,” he jokes.
Since 1993, when WACO incorporated as a nonprofit, more than 18,000 children have participated in the shopping trip, Benedict said.
“In many cases these are the only gifts they’ll receive from a charity organization over the holidays,” said WACO Director Glen Villano. “A lot of people don’t recognize that there is an active need every day for these type of support programs.”
Kristen Ford, project director for Early Childhood Development Enrichment Center and Family Involvement Nurturing Development & Prevention Initiative, has worked with WACO for 32 years and says its members are responsive to community needs.
“They ask about what our families need instead of saying this is what we have for you,” she said.
Case in point: During the COVID pandemic, client families needed hand sanitizer, antibacterial spray and other cleaning supplies. WACO supplied them, she said. They’ve also provided car seats, diapers and wipes to families.
Years ago, Ford and her colleagues remarked that children needed backpacks that teachers can fill with creative activities for students to do at home. WACO stepped up and made the backpack giveaway an annual event.
About a month ago, a toy manufacturer donated domino and color-matching games through one of WACO’s members, according to Ford, who says she’s most excited about providing children with the items they need “to build their brains.”
“WACO helps us do that,” she said.
It’s all part of the mission, said Villano.
“It’s all of our responsibility to help our neighbors,” he said.
• To donate to Neighbors in Need, visit dailyherald.com/neighbors.
Woodfield Area Children’s Organization
Mission: Since 1979, WACO has been dedicated to creating positive childhood memories and providing basic needs, along with educational support, for children living at or below the poverty level in Chicago's Northwest and West suburbs.
Website: waco4kids.org