Des Plaines volunteers bring Thanksgiving to needy, elderly

The Des Plaines Community Foundation, Sunrise Grill and Sysco Chicago worked together to provide and deliver Thanksgiving Day dinners last week.

As a result, more than 200 families, homebound seniors and people with disabilities had a very happy Thanksgiving.

"This is our seventh year making the meals and delivering the turkey dinners," said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the Des Plaines Community Foundation. "It's a group effort. Turkey dinners were delivered to those in wheelchairs, on oxygen and the blind who have difficulty leaving their homes."

Sunrise Grill, 1928-30 E. Touhy Ave., roasted all of the turkeys, led by owner Chef Jose Medina, his wife, Maria, their three sons and friends.

Sysco Chicago provided 80 pounds of turkey breasts, vegetables and potatoes. Volunteers packaged the corn, sweet potatoes, main entree, bread and pumpkin pie.

Lacey Belle Argus and her schoolmates from Maine West High School made Thanksgiving Day "we care about you cards," which were included with the meals.

According to Kathy Puetz, Health and Human Services, the list of people who were served through the Thanksgiving Day program consisted of Des Plaines residents who requested assistance by calling the Neighbors Helping Neighbors hotline, (888) 646-8898, as well as names submitted by Des Plaines churches.

"We had 205 on our list, and then a lady who was going to kidney dialysis said she could use two meals and her friend would be in her apartment to receive meals ... so volunteers Lacey Belle Argus and Paul DuVair took them over," said Argus.

"There were about eight meals left over, so Kathy Puetz from the city of Des Plaines took to them to the Des Plaines Police Department.

"This is a really touching program to provide for these families," said Argus. "We appreciate all the volunteers' hard work on Thanksgiving Day. This is one of the most satisfying things that we've done."

More than 100 local volunteers, including a large number from Sysco Foods, delivered meals between 10 a.m. and noon Thanksgiving Day. The Engineering Department at the city of Des Plaines made the map of the routes for the volunteer drivers.

"We had 17 volunteer drivers and close to 100 volunteers helping out," said Jan Goczkowski, a board trustee who also volunteered.

Sysco Chicago also recently donated $15,000 to support Des Plaines Community Foundation programs. The donation was a result of the Sysco Chicago's "Nourishing Neighbors" initiative for community outreach in Des Plaines.

"'Nourishing Neighbors' is an endeavor that directs Sysco's charitable donations primarily to local agencies working to get healthy and nutritious food where it's needed," said Gary Salvestrini, president at Sysco Chicago. "We care for people by giving back, doing well and changing lives in our communities."

Argus said a donation of this magnitude goes a long way to enhance programs that provide direct services to those in need.

"We are honored that Sysco Chicago chose to support the vital work we do in the community to heal and strengthen the lives of children and families," said Argus.

"We are fortunate to have such a support system of sponsors, friends and family that have come together to help Des Plaines Community Foundation initiatives.

"Also, a special thank you to all who donated, and a special thank you to the board trustees, especially Jan Goczkowski and Kathy Puetz, who were on hand to help," said Argus.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors delivers on about 500 requests for help from Des Plaines residents in need every year. The program links community volunteers with residents in need of transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, yard and home care, installation of emergency response boxes, wheelchair ramps and decks.

Volunteers also provide transportation. All residents have to do is call the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Hot Line, (888) 646-8898, and request help.

The foundation also helps to keep the elderly living in their homes for as long as possible since it helps by cutting the grass, shoveling snow and providing emergency plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning repairs as they occur.

"We want seniors to live with dignity and independence for as long as possible," said Argus.

The Des Plaines Community Foundation recently donated $10,000 to area food pantries.

"Our foundation donates to all the local pantries, as well as many of the religious organizations that provide meals during the week for the needy of Des Plaines," said Argus.

Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee; Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee; Intergenerational Program Committee; and Seasons of Service Program Committee.

The foundation has no paid employees and is 100 percent volunteer. The foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible contributions, as well as from other foundations.

For information on becoming a student volunteer, visit www.DPCharties.org or www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org. Future volunteers can call Rosemary Argus at (847) 297-4932 or (847) 525-5566.

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