By Sara Clarkson: Last year in our villages and neighboring communities at least 2,052 elementary school children needed a winter coat. Let me repeat: at least 2,052. This sobering figure is the number of children who received a coat, hat and gloves set from the Assistance League of Chicagoland West, according to Mary Parsons, treasurer.
Among the 28 schools that the assistance league visited to distribute the coats, hats and gloves were most schools in our own Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills District 181, as well as other DuPage County schools and a very few in eastern Cook County.
Even in our own villages there is need, real need.
So, when you think of the annual assistance league Books & Brunch fundraiser, which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15, know that the monies raised go directly to support such activities as providing school children with winter coats.
I am an unabashed fan of this fall fundraiser, not just because it involves books and brunch, because I love listening to authors, because of the fabulous boutique shopping or because with more than 400 people attending these days you are definitely going to run into someone you know. I’m a fan because that ticket and the monies raised go right back into making lives in our communities better.
Last year, the assistance league distributed 144 kitchen sets to families making the transition from homelessness to a new home. Those kitchen sets, which include a new microwave, cooking utensils, dishes and cutlery, pots and pans, cleaning supplies and even dish towels, served 416 adults and children. Families who have a usable kitchen can eat healthier and less expensive meals together, said Teresa Palmitier, the assistance league’s vice president for event fundraising.
Some 847 pre-school children participated in the league’s Early Reader program whereby members came to their pre-school, read the kids a book and then gave each and every child a book. For many of those children, that may well be the first book they have ever owned, according to Palmitier. Bringing a book home, will encourage parent-child reading and can be a game-changer for the future.
The league also gave grants to three students who entered their sophomore year at College of DuPage. That they are sophomores is important — it shows that these students have already succeeded in one year and are purposefully continuing on with their education.
Can you imagine having never owned a book or not having a winter coat or being unable to use your kitchen for lack of equipment? These numbers I have recited — 2,052 school children, 416 adults and children and another 847 pre-school children — are real people who live among and near us.
Palmitier, like Parsons and each and every member of the assistance league, joined this to put their own blood, sweat and tears into serving the underserved.
“I didn’t realize there was so much need in DuPage County,” Palmitier said.
Books & Brunch is the organization’s main fundraiser. Monies support all of its outreach programs of which I have only mentioned four. The fundraiser always features three different authors, and this year will feature: Ronald H. Balson, a lawyer and law professor who has also written three novels which examine the relationship of World War II and the modern Middle East; Ted Sanders, a children’s author who has created an adventure and fantasy series as well as an adult short story collection; and Christine Sneed, an acclaimed novelist and short story writer whose work explores art and identity.
Books & Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Abbington, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn. I suggest carpooling as the parking lots fills up fairly quickly. For more information or to buy a ticket, cost is $85, visit alcw.org email bandb@alcw.org or phone 630-321-2529.
