Naperville 203 again playing Secret Santa to community children

Space is at a premium in Raquel Lightbourne-Coley’s office these days.

Toys, games, clothing and monetary gifts donated by the community are starting to arrive there for the more than 830 students who will be served by the Naperville Education Foundation’s annual Holiday Gift Project.

“It has been overwhelming and heartwarming to see the tremendous response from the community,” said Lightbourne-Coley, Naperville Unit District 203’s community relations coordinator who is overseeing the drive for the first time. “This is when it becomes obvious that people of all faith and no faith come together to participate in the Christmas season.”

The program was launched decades ago by the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise and eventually grew too large. The education foundation took it over five years ago.

As part of the program, counselors and social workers from District 203 schools identify families and ask them to make wish lists for their kids.

Those lists are then given to Lightbourne-Coley, who finds sponsors to either buy the gifts or make a suggested donation of $40 toward their purchase.

In the last two years, the list of needy students has grown from 660 children to more than 830. The district has also identified an increase in homeless students this year.

“It breaks your heart because you see their wish lists — and coats, boots and mittens are the primary wants, and toys are secondary,” she said. “It’s obvious we are living in difficult times.”

The Holiday Gift Project is accepting both sponsorships and cash donations until Dec. 12, Recent estimates show nearly 300 students still need sponsors but no donations will be turned away.

For donation information, contact Raquel Lightbourne-Coley at rlightbournecoley@naperville203.org.