Marklund keeping holidays festive
No Grinches allowed here! As always at Marklund, staff is determined to make the holidays festive and enjoyable for all the residents, even during a pandemic!
Giving Trees & Gift Drive:
Similar to past years, Marklund is going ahead with its annual Giving Tree Gift Drive! Just like every year, staff assist each of the 174 residents in creating a personal wish list.
During the Gift Drive, these items from the lists are featured on individualized tags that hang on Marklund's holiday Giving Trees both on site and throughout the community in private businesses.
Presents purchased by supporters can be dropped off at Marklund's various locations by Monday, Dec. 21.
Gift Opening Day canceled:
Different this year is the gift opening process. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and visitor restrictions, Marklund's traditional Christmas Eve Gift Opening event, usually attended by hundreds of volunteers, is canceled.
Once sorted, the presents will be given to Marklund residents by staff and opened together. There are sure to be plenty of smiles! These special moments will be captured on photo and video and posted on Marklund's social media sites for all gift givers to see.
To request an assortment of the giving tree tags, email Cathy Nikrandt, manager of volunteer engagement, at cnikrandt@marklund.org.
Wish list:
Marklund has a general wish list that can be helpful when shopping for gifts. School groups, church groups, businesses or families who want to put together a gift basket for Marklund will find many ideas on this list.
Items range from arts and craft materials, personal care items, room decor and even gift certificates. Find it at www.marklund.org/wishlist.
Marklund is a nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with profound developmental disabilities. With three residential locations - Marklund at Mill Creek in Geneva, the Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale, and the Marklund Wasmond Center in Elgin - it is currently home to nearly 174 residents.
Follow www.facebook.com/MarklundCharity or twitter.com/MarklundCharity.