Annual Giving Tree gift drive brings yuletide cheer to Marklund
Despite not having the traditional holiday activities this year, residents of Marklund in Geneva had a blast celebrating the yuletide thanks to staff, Santa, and many supporters.
Hundreds of gifts delivered from friends, families, staff and volunteers over the past few weeks through Marklund's annual Giving Tree gift drive were finally opened with the residents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Santa himself visited with residents wearing appropriate PPE, of course. (The Jolly Old Elf looked suspiciously a lot like a member of the staff.)
Usual activities, including the Christmas Eve gift opening with hundreds of volunteers and holiday open houses with family and friends, had been canceled due to visitor and volunteer restrictions set by the Illinois Department of Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit organization provides residential, therapeutic and educational services for adults and children with profound developmental disabilities, with three campuses in Bloomingdale, Elgin and Geneva.
The next big event will be Marklund's "Top Hat Ball Upside Down: Our Ball, Your Ballroom," a livestream gala experience on Saturday, Feb. 6. Sponsorship and Watch Party opportunities are available at www.marklund.org/tophatball.
Create your own fundraising page, or donate to someone's team, at p2p.onecause.com/tophatball. Register for your free viewing access to the Feb. 6 livestream gala at www.marklund.org. Visit often after Jan. 15 to bid on silent auction packages.
For questions, contact Jeannine Zupo at (630) 624-9874 or jzupo@marklund.org.
Since 1954, Marklund has been making everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities.