The FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES committee was formed two years ago to support the Hinsdale Central Social Work Department.When the social workers come upon a Central family who has extraordinary needs which the school cannot fulfill, they contact us. We mobilize to supply the food, clothing, emergency supplies, or whatever other essentials are needed. During the 2008 – 2009 school year we were able to successfully help numerous families in crisis.
As a committee, we are not always active, but when we are called to action, time is of the essence. The more people who come forward, the easiler the task. We open our committee to all (even those who are not Central families) who have a philanthropic interest in helping Central families.
The picture on the left is only some of the fabulous food baskets Susann Gilbert and her friends decided to make up. The Central social workers will tell Central families (who are facing difficult times) about the surprise waiting for them. The beautifully decorated containers (you can't see the bow and ornament on the front of each one) will give families who have little, some joy during this season.
Thank you Susann Gilbert, Kathy Connor, Cheryl Conte, Karen Kinahan, Susann Oakum, Karen Renzi, Cheryl Makris, Diana Skogsberg, Patti St. Cyr, and Mary Strong. The impact of your initiative is more than probably even you realize!
The Social Work Department Elves buzzing about the gifts.
Linda, Claudia, and Barb
WHAT WE ARE DOING
This marvelous committee has (simply from September to December, 2011):
-- Given food to Central families in need -- Provided backpacks to students who could not afford to have one -- Provided calculators to students who could not afford to purchase them -- Provided access to stores like Target so families and students could purchase daily essentials -- Funded gas so struggling parents could get to work -- Gave complete Thanksgiving dinners to families without means -- Came forward to help specific students identified by the school social workers -- Paid for required medical exams so children could simply attend high school -- Bought warm clothing and boots for students who had none -- Provided food baskets and gift cards to families who have little
The above acts of kindness were shown by Central parents, to Central parents. The poor and struggling of our community are all too often invisible. We stand united, as a committee, to extend a hand to those less fortunate. We want them to know someone cares and is willing to help them get back on their feet.
ABOUT THE IMPORTANT WORK OUR FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES COMMITTEE DOES
The Hinsdale Central PTO not only serves to enhance parent, teacher, and student relationships but is also invested in philanthropic endeavors.One committee, Families Helping Families (FHF), was formed three years ago by then PTO Co-President, Lisa Stafford, to help Central families in crisis.Today this 36 member group worksat the behest of Central's Social Work Department which identifies families in crisis who need immediate support.The current school year has been the committee's busiest yet said Joni Holinger, chair for the past three years.
Needs are met in a variety of ways.For example, twelve complete Thanksgiving dinners were provided to families.Gift cards for gas, food, medicine, clothing, and supplies are provided to the social workers to be used as needed.A new printer was provided for one family while another FHF member donated a used laptop with Kay Gallo (both committee member and District 86 Board of Education member) donating her time and money to clean up and load the computer with appropriate software for the student.Another student could not afford a school sponsored band trip even after working hard to find the funds; FHF paid the remaining portion.
Other members support the committee by involving different community groups in which they participate.One member's group, the Hinsdale Adventist Women's Ministry, provided ten large food baskets including a gift certificate for needy Central families.Another FHF member's husband stepped forward to provide pro bono dental work for a student in crisis. Many committee participants are not even "Central families" but individuals who realize that in the midst of our seemingly wealthy community there are great needs -- students who go to bed hungry, families without warm clothing, students unable to do homework because they don't have access to a computer."We have helped provide transportation for medical services like chemotherapy appointments.Or take the single parent who worked and whose car caught fire -- having no financial means of replacing it.We are doing good deeds.We are able to quickly intervene to help minimize serious crises faced by good families trying to do their best."said Holinger.
If you would care to support this worthy cause, as Families Helping Families is funded only by individual donations to the committee, please go to the PTO websiteDonate to PTO Programs tab:
Here are some of the beautiful food baskets, made for Hinsdale Central families facing difficult times, by the Ladies of the Hinsdale Adventist Church Ministry. Our FAMILES HELPING FAMILIES committee is honored by the support we receive, not only from our PTO members, but from friends of the PTO, outside of the immediate school arena. Thank you to Nicole (Bokich) and her group of dynamic women!
The Families Helping Families committee met to set plans in motion for the 2009-2010 school year. Two of Central's dynamic social workers, Barb Plantz and Aquila Beach, joined us to share their department's thoughts on how we may best help Central families in crisis. Many excellent ideas came out of this meeting and are being put into action. Please feel free to join us or make a donation in support of our efforts. We act at the behest of the Social Work Department, so if, as a Central student or family, if you need assistance please contact one of the social workers.
