12:35:00 PM EDT
Each year we invited others to help us. We've identified our needs and we have appointed committees to address those needs. Anyone wishing to help us is invited to help us with the following endeavors:
Food drives: We are looking for any type of boxed or canned food. We also ask for frozen turkeys, hams, and other meats.
A Back to basics food drive: We need but rarely receive basic items like salt, pepper, vinegar, oil, mustard, ketchup, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter and jelly.
Cereal drive: Blue Island Alderman Rose Rita collects boxes of cereal.
Baby drive: We need diapers, baby food, wipes, etc.
Christmas stockings: We provide hand decorated Christmas stockings for every child on our list, including teenagers. We need stocking stuffers. We also help the CEDA school in Blue Island. We need stocking stuffers, like large crayons, coloring books, bubbles, candy, stuffed animals, and small, but safe toys for preschoolers.
Hats, scarves and mitten trees: We try to give each member of our families hats, scarves and mittens, and when needed, coats. We are making an attempt to outfit each child at the CEDA school with a hat, scarf and pair of mittens as well.
Toy drive: We need toys for children of all ages.
School Supplies: Each year we endeavor to provide each school age child on our list with a backpack and the essentials like paper, pens, crayons, pencils. 
Non-food drive: This includes household cleaners like laundry or dish detergent, bleach, etc. And we need toilet paper, tissue, paper towels, health and beauty items, etc.
Penny jars: We have jars with our name on them. Many businesses place them on counters where customers can throw their change.
Gift certificate drive: We are looking for gift cards from stores like Jewel, Food 4 Less, and Dominics. We would also gratefully accept cards from Walgreens, CVS, Cosco, Speedway, Marathon, Thorton’s and Citgo. 
Adoption: Families or groups can adopt individual families. We ask for Christmas dinner and gifts for each member our families. 
