Willow South Lake is invested in community
Even though Willow South Lake is less than 18 months old, part of the DNA of the church is a calling to acts of compassion and justice.
A very practical way they have sought to extend the love of God in their community is by partnering with Mark Twain Elementary School in Wheeling, just 15 minutes from the church. Last Christmas season, Willow South Lake packed food bags for all of Mark Twain's 500 students to take home over winter break.
The church also participates in a one-on-one mentoring program, Kids Hope USA, where adults from the church meet weekly with students from the school.
This summer, the church wanted to continue to invest in this partnership by helping provide some key school supplies that the teachers would typically buy with their own money. Teachers often spend hundreds of dollars a year on things for their classrooms.
Willow South Lake ran a school supply collection drive from July 31 through Aug. 14. They specifically asked for donations of 12 of the most requested items by the teachers at the school, as well as gift cards from local merchants. The response from the church attendees was overwhelming.
Recently, Kelly Skiles, associate pastor, and a team of church volunteers got together to sort the items and prepare them for delivery to the school.
"This is just one small way we can encourage the teachers, the real heroes, who care for students in such a holistic way during the entirety of the school year," said Skiles. "We love Mark Twain Elementary School and believe that this is just the beginning of a great partnership together."
The church also had attendees sign some large posters wishing the individual teachers at Mark Twain and their students "best wishes" for the coming school year.
Willow South Lake, 625 Barclay Blvd., Lincolnshire, is the newest regional campus of Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington. Willow South Lake offers services weekly at 9 and 11 a.m.
Additional information is available at willowcreek.org/south-lake and on Facebook at facebook.com/willowsouthlake.
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.