Symonds-Madison Funeral Home Hosts Kids Grief Support Supply Drive

Symonds-Madison Funeral Home is hosting a Back to School Donation Drive to benefit local students grieving the loss of a loved one. Donations collected now through September 28, 2018 will go toward Project Hope, a grief support program sponsored in U-46 schools by the Geneva-based charity, Fox Valley Hands of Hope.

"For students struggling with the loss of a loved one, Project Hope is a lifeline to process their grief and succeed in school," said Joy Symonds, Owner and Family Services Counselor. "We encourage anyone doing back-to-school shopping to pick up an extra gift card or supplies to help support the grieving U-46 students served by this important program."

The most useful items for Project Hope include: gift cards to Target or Wal-Mart, white plain photo-storage boxes to be transformed into children's memory boxes, white pillow cases to be made into "positive pillow cases" with fond memories to aid sleep, battery operated pillar and tea light candles, 8 x 11 canvases, tempera paint, reusable smocks, Ziploc bags, white paper and lace tablecloths, small bottles of water, juice boxes, individually wrapped snacks, small bottles of hand sanitizer, balloons, tissue, chicken noodle cup-of soup packets, plastic forks, and Styrofoam hinged carryout containers.

Donations can be dropped off today through September 28, 2018 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park St., Elgin IL 60120 during business hours Monday through Saturday. Supporters can also contact the funeral home to arrange donations after business hours, as needed. The donation drive can be shared on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/symondsmadison and a donation flyer with complete wish list can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/ProjectHopeDrive.

Now in nearly 30 schools across the Fox Valley region, Project Hope is a collaboration between Fox Valley Hands of Hope and school staff to identify student loss-related needs and to implement individual and group support. Sessions are held within the school day on a weekly basis - reducing the need for parents to make special trips for support sessions. Students are counseled in a familiar environment, connected with fellow grieving students, and provided a safe outlet for emotional needs, allowing them to better focus on their academics.

Symonds-Madison Funeral Home is proudly veteran and family owned, and has served Fox Valley families with integrity and truly personal care for more than 90 years. Visit our website at www.symondsmadisonfuneralhome.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/symondsmadison.