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Southlanders open their hearts for Project Share
January 11, 2009
BY RENA FULKA Staff writer
The sliding economy prompted many SouthtownStar readers to find resourceful
ways to feed hungry neighbors during the holidays.
One reader skipped a morning specialty coffee and donated the $5 to Project
Share.
Others nixed traditional holiday gift exchanges to make group contributions
to the newspaper's annual food drive, knowing every penny raised buys
staples with corporate discounts from Walt's Food Centers.
During the worst recession in years, Project Share supporters donated more
than $62,000 - enough to buy meals for thousands of Southland residents
coping with illness, job loss and other crises. "The generosity toward
Project Share this year was amazing," food drive coordinator Jeannie Kadner
said. "I was concerned that our collections would be low due to the economy,
while it was because of the economy that our need was so great this year.
People opened their hearts, though, and gave." Kadner said several givers
sent notes with their donations stating they had been recipients of food
baskets from Project Share during some not-so-merry Christmas past.
Others sent e-cards to friends and relatives and then donated the money they
would have spent on traditional holiday greetings to Project Share.
There were plenty of surprises at the Tinley Park newspaper office, too.
"Four adult siblings came into our lobby and gave $100 in lieu of their
holiday lunch together," Kadner said. "One gentleman called and asked what
types of food products would best benefit those in need, and within a few
hours, he dropped off nine boxes of products. Everyone's contributions
enabled us to help this holiday season."
Southland hospitals, service leagues, businesses and park districts lent a
hand by hosting collection sites for nonperishable items used to supplement
basket staples. Newcomers included Harris Bank NA in Crete and Glenwood
Paint and Paper in Glenwood.
The annual Dave Rudolf Christmas Concert at Freedom Hall in Park Forest
featured performers playing for free and raised $700 and a pile of
nonperishable goods.
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Though the push for donations centers on the holiday season, Project Share
collections take place all year long. In February, Park Forest resident Jack
Flahive asked friends and relatives to bring Project Share donations, rather
than gifts, to his 60th birthday bash, the first big birthday party he's
ever had. Well-wishers filled the birthday card box with $650. "I was
surprised at the money I collected and quite pleased," Flahive said. So his
sister-in-law presented a Project Share check in his name as a Christmas
gift.
The SouthtownStar newsroom held a variety of fundraisers to keep Project
Share coffers from running empty.
Another fundraising tradition will draw the community together in April for
the McLegends charity basketball games, which pit high school all-stars
against professional athletes and other celebrities who hail from the
Southland. McLegends weekend will feature female players at 6:30 p.m. April
17 and male stars at noon April 18 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in
Flossmoor.
"McLegends Weekend, which is sponsored by McDonald's and Aurelio's Pizza, is
a one-of-a-kind basketball experience," said SouthtownStar sportswriter Alan
Macey, who coordinates the event. "And if you love the National Football
League, it's a time to get up-close with our area players." The benefit
games raise $1,500 annually for Project Share.
During the holidays, 10 social service agencies distributed baskets filled
with peanut butter, jelly, rice, macaroni and cheese, boiled ham, canned
vegetables, fruit, juice and cookies. Liz Wisnasky, a representative of
Respond Now in Chicago Heights, sent these sentiments. "2009 begins Respond
Now's 40th year helping more than 1 million people since we began keeping
families together in their homes and helping with food and utilities,"
Wisnasky said. "This year, seven former clients returned with gifts for
children, wanting to give back to help those in need this year. The lines
are long ,with scared people coming for help at our office. Hope is what
Respond Now gives, and your donations keep that hope alive."
Project Share chairwoman Mary Kulak said she was thrilled with the response
in 2008. "It is wonderful to see the generosity of our readers, especially
in these hard economic times, to continue to care about their neighbors in
need year after year," Kulak said.
"We raised enough money to pay for all of the food purchased, and this will
enable us to be sure we can continue with this program next year."
Rena Fulka can be reached at rfulka@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8829.
How to donate
Monetary donations for Project Share, the SouthtownStar's annual food drive,
are collected throughout the year. The proceeds are used to feed thousands
of needy neighbors during the holidays. Checks can be sent to Project Share,
SouthtownStar, 6901 W. 159th St., Tinley Park, IL 60477. For information,
call Jeannie Kadner at (708) 633-6750.
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