We receive many generous gifts from donors throughout the year. We would like to highlight a few of those special individuals, groups and organizations who have kindly donated items to support our youth and families.
- Navigant Consulting donated more than 100 duffle bags, totes and backpacks through a Black History initiative. The bags will benefit the youth and families in our Transitional Teen Services program.
- During February, Nicole Garica organized a donation drive with the children and families of Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts to provide backpacks, books and school supplies. The students even took the time to make Valentine’s Day cards and care packages for the youth at UCAN’s Diermeier Therapeutic Youth Home.
- On Wednesday, March 22, Midway Moving & Storage donated furniture from their warehouse to the home of UCAN FamilyWorks client Shenicka Sturghil, a mother of four young children. Shenicka has experienced hardships that have made it difficult for her to purchase furniture for her home. The donation included four beds, dressers, a coffee table, sofa and toys for the children.
“One of my sons has autism and the other has severe, persistent asthma. Keeping a job is very hard so financially I was having problems getting what they need. My daughter’s bed is broken down and is on crates. My bed is on crates. My son’s bed is completely broken down and I had to go buy him an air mattress just so he could have something to sleep on,” said Shenicka.
She recalled how she felt when she learned she would be receiving the donation: “I was a little bit shocked and overwhelmed but I was so happy and thanking God. I was very excited and grateful.”
Isabelle Siegel, a student at the University of Illinois and the daughter of Midway Moving’s founder Jerry Siegel, arranged the donation along with her siblings. “We’ve been doing this for about four years now. It started because of our love for helping the community. We noticed that there was a lot of inventory at the warehouse that was not being used so we thought there was a better use for it,” she explained.
“We decided to donate it to Chicago Housing Authority residents. Through the years we found that they were happy to receive our donations. By coming (to the homes) it is so much more powerful to see them actually receive all this furniture. Coming into the house without furniture and when we leave they have a full house of furniture, household items, televisions. It makes me feel so great to know we helped,” continued Isabelle.
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