Dear Friend of Home of the Sparrow,                                                           

The holiday season is fast approaching and Home of the Sparrow invites you to help create warm holiday memories for the families in our shelters and apartment programs.

I’m sure we can all close our eyes and remember the feeling of joy in our hearts, as we shopped for that special gift for a loved one, or watched their face come alive as they opened the package. This year at Home of the Sparrow, we will create an opportunity for our families to experience this amazing connection with one another and fully participate in the holiday tradition of selecting, wrapping, and giving gifts to each other.

On December 12th, from 8am to noon our mothers will go shopping for their children. After lunch, our staff has volunteered their time to take the children shopping for their mothers while the mothers get their wrapping done.  Upon their return, the children will be assisted in wrapping for their mothers.

As in the past, we are also “stocking up” to ensure that each woman and child has those practical things they need year round (e.g. cleaning supplies, bedding, etc.).  Home of the Sparrow relies on the generosity of the community to pursue its mission to provide housing and supportive services to homeless women and their children.  Your gifts allow us to provide safety and security to families, restore confidence, and empower women for success!   

Details on how you or your group or organization can become involved in our Holiday Gift Program are enclosed.     If you would like to participate in this program, please contact Chris Cressler at 815-444-1660 or development.director@h-o-s.org.

Please remember that your donation will make a significant difference in the lives of residents in our programs and brighten the eyes and hearts of our women and children now and throughout the year.
                                                                              
         
Sincerely,  

Chris Cressler, MSW
Development Director

Gifts to Individual Family Members:
           

• Direct Gifts:  You or your organization will be provided with a specific “wish list” of items that might bring joy to the women and children in our shelters (e.g. toys, books, clothing)

• Gift Cards:  We are requesting gift cards specifically for Target, Wal Mart, and Kohls to be used on our “Shopping Day” on December 12th.  Due to time and transportation constraints, we will only be able to visit these three stores with our mothers and children

Gifts to “Stock up” our Shelters:

• Monetary Donations:  The National economic crisis has significantly impacted Home of the Sparrow over the past year.  Making a gift through cash, check, or credit card will help us keep our shelters open and warm by assisting with rising utility costs.  Your financial gift will also support our continued efforts to maintain and improve our critical supportive services array.

• Gift Cards: To any grocery store, gas station, discount/department store, etc.  These are used year round to ease tight budgets, reward hard work, obtain shelter supplies, and assist our women with transportation.

• Gift Certificates:  To any entertainment outlet (e.g. movie theater, skating rink, etc.). These are used to reward and support women who do not have discretionary income to engage in recreational family activities.

• Vehicle Repair Gift Certificates:  To A Car Tune, available at 4410 Northwest Highway (Hwy 14) in Crystal Lake.  A Car Tune services cars and vans used by Home of the Sparrow to transport clients to necessary appointments, as well as the delivery truck used by our Sparrow’s Nest Thrift stores.  Timely maintenance of these vehicles is critical for us to continue to help residents overcome transportation barriers and to keep our Thrift Store floors well stocked and generating revenues for our programs.  Help ensure budget issues do not delay repairs and impact program or store functioning.

• Shelter Supplies:  See Attached List for items we use year-round to keep our shelters clean and comfortable.

• Special Shelter Items:  Includes small appliances, equipment, recreational items, etc. for the shelters and/or for residents preparing to move out.  To avoid unnecessary duplication, please contact Chris Cressler at  815-444-1660 to request a list of items still needed.
  

All gifts should be delivered to 6213 Factory Rd., Suite A, in Crystal Lake

ALL GIFTS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS MUST BE UNWRAPPED AND RECEIVED NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 11th, 2009
ALL OTHER ITEMS WILL BE ACCPETED THROUGH JAN. 11th, 2010

Please call Emily Dullum at 815-444-1660 to schedule your item drop-off

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