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Special/Holiday Events

Want to volunteer for an exciting special or holiday event?
Look no further!

Back to School Fairs
Each year in August Catholic Charities hosts and coordinates fairs to help low-income families get their children ready to return to school. Most fairs offer free school supplies, immunizations, physicals, dental exams and more! Planning for the fairs begins in January each year, but it’s never too late to call!

Please contact the following persons for more information:
In DuPage County, contact Mary Tarnow at 630.495.8008 x2110. In Will County, contact Demetria Carr (Daybreak Center) at 815.774.4663 x3125. In Kankakee County, contact Greg Harris at 815.933.7791 x102.

Holiday Programs
The holidays have a way of putting additional pressures on families everywhere. Some of our neighbors find this season almost impossible to deal with both financially and emotionally. Through these programs you can make the holiday season a joyful one for a family, a child, a senior by participating in one of the following programs:

Holiday Outreach Program
DuPage County
This program matches parishes with low-income families who have already prepared a personalized wish list and also asks individual donors to make monetary or gift card donations that will be distributed to needy families to purchase food during the Christmas holiday. Donations of new and unwrapped winter outerwear, hats, gloves and scarves in children's and adult sizes will also be distributed to the low-income families and homeless who seek our help during the winter months. Each year the program meets the needs of over 700 families. To get involved or become a donor, contact Mary Tarnow at 630.495.8008 x2110.

Holiday Outreach Program
Will County
This program matches donors with low-income families from our Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. Head Start serves over 700 families each year. To get involved or become a donor, contact Judy Easley at 815.723.3405 x1108.

Daybreak Center Holiday Outreach Program
Will County
Daybreak Center is the largest shelter of its kind in Will County and provides emergency shelter for up to 100 persons each night. This program matches donors with the needs of families and children in the shelter. To get involved or become a donor, contact Peg Schultz at 815.774.4663 x3117.

“Sharing the Warmth”
Kankakee County
This program matches donors with low-income seniors, most of them homebound, who have already prepared a wish list based on their needs. To get involved or become a donor, contact Jennifer Wick at 815.933.7791 x125.

During the month of October numerous churches and schools participate in Catholic Charities' “Undy Sunday” – a drive to collect underwear, socks and pajamas for needy children and adults served through Catholic Charities. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate the event, arrange pick-up and delivery of “undies” and assist office staff. For more information, contact Patricia Trebe at 815.724.1139.