Adding to the joys of the holiday

Parties, gifts, decorations, special foods and traditions are all part of this time of year. Here are some opportunities for you to extent your generosity and add to your joys.

A gift drive is underway for seniors at Aldermen Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office, 2657 N. Clybourn. For the benefit of low income seniors who are in need, the ideal gift would be gift certificates of $25 for groceries, restaurants, gift baskets and entertainment. In addition, Waguespack and 35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon are partnering with Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) and asking that wishes be filled and then dropped at 32nd Ward Office, through next Mon., Dec. 20, or be taken to the administrative offices for CAWC, 1116 N. Kedzie Ave, 5th Floor, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mon. thru Fri.

The CAWC wish list includes: twin sized blankets and sheets; art supplies (brushes, paint, clay, colored pencils); transit cards (anything except a 30 day pass); journals;  family size toiletries; family size laundry detergent; diapers (especially sizes 4, 5, 6); Construction paper, drawing paper, butcher paper; household cleaning supplies; baby wipes, lotions, shampoos; new underwear and socks (women and children sizes); grocery store gift cards; small self-care bags; pocket or monthly calendars; paper products - toilet paper, paper towels, napkins;  towels and wash cloths; NEW backpacks and school supplies (scissors, glue, notebooks, folders, binders, calculators). Only new items are requested.

Alderman Walter Burnett, 27th Ward, has a coat drive that is twelve months long. Coats may be dropped at the 27th Ward Office, 1463 W. Chicago Ave. For this holiday they will be delivering a ham or turkey to seniors and needy families. Precinct captains in the 27th Ward are the people to be contacted.

The Food Pantry at St. Alyosius, 2300 W. LeMoyne, is open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. (Sat. until 6 p.m. and Sun until 2 p.m.). They particularly request canned fruits, vegetables, beans (canned or dry), soup, juice, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, 5 lb bags of rice, oatmeal, cereal, crackers, pasta sauce, and pasta. Their new building fund would be happy for donations as would their scholarship fund. For more information, they may be reached at 773-278-4808 or through their website.

"I could be yours!"

Remember that animal shelters are in need of support too. Tree House Humane Society has two locations, one on Ashland Ave., 773.227.5535, and the other in Uptown, 773.784.5488. PAWS is located at 1997 N. Clybourn Ave.,773.935.7297. Both are no kill shelters that provide pet adoptions.

The Twelve Strays of Christmas begins at PAWS on Dec. 13 with friends that can make not just this holiday brighter for you but many holidays to come. The dogs and cats pictured are ready for adoption.

Please add to our list with other organizations that need a helping hand this year.

Thank you for your generosity and making our community even more caring.