By Elaine Slayton
The Volunteer Center of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff is offering its fourth annual Giving Tree at Gorton Community Center. The program will run through Dec. 19 and is sponsored by Girl Scout Troop #2715, shown in the photo below.
The Giving Tree is adorned with more than 100 “wish” mittens. Each mitten represents one holiday wish from a client of local social service organizations such as PADS Veterans’ House, Safe Place, Boys and Girls Clubs of Lake County, Holy Family Food Pantry, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County, and the Salvation Army. The Girl Scouts have filled out the mittens, made fliers to hang around town, and decorated the Giving Tree. They also will help sort and deliver the gifts.
Community members are invited to visit the Giving Tree, select a wish mitten, purchase the gift and drop it off—-unwrapped--at the Volunteer Center's office at Gorton by Dec. 19. This is the perfect opportunity to give children the opportunity to experience the wonderful feeling of giving back. Wishes range in price from $10 to $200, with the majority around $30.
Last year, the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff community fulfilled 116 Giving Tree wishes. Many of this year's wishes are for basic necessities, such as warm clothing and household supplies. Other requests are for educational supplies and toys for
children. One agency, Holy Family Food Pantry, is asking for bike locks, lights, reflectors, and helmets for adults. During the year the Pantry receives bike donations, which volunteers refurbish and give to clients as a means of transportation.
Here’s what 11-year old Girl Scout Ally wrote about the Giving Tree: "Christmas is a gift, a special time to share. I give you gifts, and you give me gifts. I can’t imagine what life would be like without Christmas. We wouldn't get to listen to those catchy songs, and our hearts wouldn't pile up with love. Some people don’t celebrate Christmas. Some people don’t have families. Some people can’t afford to buy presents at Christmas. That would be so sad. Picture yourself sitting alone on Christmas Eve, staring out at all the sparkling lights, and imagining all those families hugging and sharing gifts with each other. If I were in that position, I would run to the door, fling it open and scream, 'WHAT ABOUT ME?' Some people feel that way and we can help them.”
For more information, please contact troop leaders Lauren Jacobs at 847-482-1675/kurt-lauren@prodigy.net, or Stephanie Allen at 847-235-5024/sendallen@mac.com.
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