Enrich someone's life with a gift to Marklund's Giving Tree

As the holiday season approaches, Marklund is gearing up for its annual Giving Tree drive which takes place through Dec. 11 at both locations: Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva or Marklund Philip Center for Children, 164 S. Prairie, Bloomingdale.

Marklund enriches the lives of infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities with therapeutic services, day programming, 24-hour nursing care, and community programs.

For 23 years, the Giving Tree program has allowed Marklund residents to receive special holiday gifts from generous donors including companies, clubs, and the public. Marklund residents submit wish lists with items ranging from winter coats to classical music CDs to gift cards. Giving Tree cards are created for each resident with a brief bio and three gift suggestions. Donors take a card and purchase one or more of the resident's wish items and return them, festively wrapped, to Marklund.

As a new addition this year, Marklund is also providing the option of supporting day-to-day expenses. Every month, electric bills total approximately $23,000, gas bills total more than $16,000 and water bills total nearly $5,000, all of which are necessary for Marklund to continue providing quality care for the individuals who live in the Marklund homes. Local businesses are invited to distribute Marklund's holiday giving envelopes to customers, clients and employees.

"The Giving Tree is such an important way to let residents know how special they are," said Vicki Krystof. "The holidays at Marklund are full of excitement and a lot of love, and the Giving Tree is one of the best examples."

On Dec. 24, 100 Marklund volunteers and staff members gather to help residents open their gifts. Another way to acknowledge the holiday season is to give items from Marklund's general wish list which is at marklund.org. For information about the Giving Tree cards, call Cathy Nikrandt at (630) 593-5468. To receive holiday donation envelopes, call Stevie Armbruster at (630) 593-5473.

The tradition continues: Aurora's Annunciation School has been sending eighth-graders to Marklund at holiday time for many, many years. This year, 30 eighth-graders will brighten the holidays for the residents of Marklund by having an arts and crafts session from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the multipurpose room at Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva.

The craft session is modified creatively for Marklund's clients to provide maximum participation. Marklund is a network of programs and services that benefit the lives of infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.

"We so enjoy coming to Marklund each year," said Karen Wollwert, principal of Annunciation School. "Our students learn that volunteering builds connections. Many of them, including family members, continue to volunteer at Marklund throughout high school."

"This visit brings the holiday spirit and infinite smiles to our clients as well as the students," said Vicki Krystof, communications manager at Marklund. For information, call Krystof at (630) 593-5482.