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THANK YOU!
To all the individuals and groups who supported Connections for the Homeless with in-kind donations.
Concerned community groups and businesses who gave in-kind items in February included:
Aeropostal - store #361
Bennison's Bakery
Beth Emet Synagogue
Burlington Coat Factory -
Elgin,
Arlington Heights, Schaumburg and Glenview stores
Convent of the Holy Spirit
Ethical Humanist Society
Evanston Kiwanis
The Family School Harper Elementary School
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Kappa Phi Lambda
Lake Street Church
Lambda Chi Alpha
Mosaic Yarn Studio
Simple Gourmet St. Catherine Laboure Church
St. Norbert's Church
Stepping Out On Faith Consignment Thrift
Tiny Dog Bakery
Unitarian Church of Evanston
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| VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | Phone Reception
Training provided. Answer phones for the Prevention program. Weekdays at the 2010 Dewey office.
Provide Bag LunchesMake 30-60 lunches for our homeless drop in program. Include a meat sandwich and drink, other items are optional. Needed M-F.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED and would like to receive the complete list of most needed items... Call Lisa, 847-424-0945 x.17
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Wish List
We are currently looking for some specific items for Hilda's Place Transitional Shelter and Entry Point drop in program. If you are able to donate any of these items please contact Lisa Todd, Volunteer & Events Manager at 847-424-0945 x.17 or lt@cfthinc.org
Backpacks & Belts
Men's clothing
Underwear for men and women
Hotel sized toiletries especially toothpaste and deodorant
Warm socks
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| Greetings!
I spend a lot of time talking about support that we need for our drop in program or Hilda's Place Transitional Shelter. This month I am recruiting volunteers to assist us with our Prevention program. Right now we receive so many calls from people asking for help that it can be difficult to handle the volume. We are adding a volunteer role specifically for phone reception for Prevention. At a time of crisis, we don't want people to have to navigate a voice mail system. We need volunteers who can give some simple instructions and take down contact information.
We are also spending a lot of time this month organizing Raise the Roof parties. If you haven't already planned one, now is the time. You know from reading these pages that people help in all kinds of big and small ways. Please contact me to learn more about either one of these opportunities.
Peace to you,
Lisa Todd
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
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Spring Cleaning for a Cause
Complete Birkenstock at Edens Plaza is partnering with Connections during the month of March for a special promotion. They are collecting CTA transit passes, adult clothing, socks, underwear, shoes and backpacks from their customers. Anyone who brings in two items from the needs list will receive a
10% discount on their next purchase (before March 31). They have also committed to collect donated shoes from their customers for our clothing pantry throughout the year. This idea came from one of the Birkenstock staff members who also volunteers with Connections. We each have a place, a way that we can have influence. Thanks to the whole team at Complete Birkenstock!
Edens Plaza, 3232 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, IL
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 On March 2 we had our Raise the Roof kickoff at the home of our Executive Director, Paul Selden. It was our opportunity to "host the hosts" for our new fundraising campaign. In previous years Connections for the Homeless has organized a big spring fundraiser. This year, instead of one large gala fundraising event in the spring we are asking our current supporters and friends to organize small events over several months.
The kickoff was a success. Eighteen people committed to hosting a Raise the Roof party. Our first roof raiser will be this Sunday. Two volunteers are working together to host a Champagne Brunch after church. Other party ideas include a Top Chef cooking competition theme, a game night and a large concert. The beauty of this model is that you can create the party that fits your lifestyle, interests and calendar. You provide the people and the food, and we provide the materials and a speaker (if you like) and support you in the planning.
 | | The Host the Hosts kickoff event was a big success! |
As Paul Selden commented the night of the kickoff, if non-profits are going to succeed in the new shrinking government funding climate, it will be because of the private sector. We must expand our base of support and we must raise funds more effectively. We are excited to have struck on a fundraising model that will do both and actually be fun! Learn More about Holding Your Own Roof-Raiser!
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Kids Care Fair at Harper Elementary
Students, parents and faculty at Harper Elementary are continuing their effort to fight homelessness on the North Shore. During the fall they collected hundreds of toiletry items. Parent representatives, Tracy and Maureen, toured the shelter and identified even more significant ways to get involved.
Part of their brainstorm included inviting Connections to attend the annual Kids Care Fair at the school. We shared information about our programs with the parents at the fair and helped the students make piggy banks. We encouraged the children to make a bank for a cause (it didn't have to be for Connections, but it sure was encouraged). Our message: "No matter what your age, if you care about something, you can make a difference."
Volunteering with Connections has been a rewarding experience. It has been an opportunity to promote the idea that community goes far beyond our school or neighborhood. We are part of a larger community and every individual in that community deserves to have his/her basic needs met. Whenever anyone needs help, a hand should be there to help them and for that, we are all responsible. - Maureen K.
After the fair the school's Girl Scout troop surprised us with the proceeds from their bake sale. We were also given over $1200 in grocery store cards collected by the school's families! Harper Elementary is cultivating concerned and engaged citizens. We are so grateful for their compassion and leadership.
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Volunteer Orientations
During March, I will host two orientations for prospective volunteers or people who just want to know more about our programs. Tuesday, March 8 at Noon and Saturday, March 26 at Noon are the scheduled orientations. Encourage your friends to attend.
We will tour Hilda's Place Shelter at 1458 Chicago Ave. and talk through the range of services available at Connections for the Homeless. If you are a dinner volunteer, I hope you will also consider participating and see the full scope of the Connections programs that you support!
Next orientations: Tuesday, March 8 at noon and Saturday, March 26 at noon. Please RSVP to Lisa Todd at lt@cfthinc.org or 847-424-0945 x.17 and confirm which day that you can attend. |
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In-kind donations can be delivered to 1458 Chicago Ave. in Evanston (the basement entrance at the northwest corner of the
Lake Street Church).
Drop off on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 pm and any evening between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. or call for an appointment, 847-424-0945 x17.
Please ring the bell and have a staff member receive the donation. |
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