Ways to Give Other Than Gifts

After compiling your long holiday wish list for Santa and figuring out how many pricey gifts you can afford for friends and family, you may want to think of ways to give to the less fortunate. Patch has done all the research and has come up with three ways Oak Forest residents can either donate time, items or money to local charities.

Today, we fill you in on things you can give. Next, we'll look at ways you can serve others or give some of your time.

Oak Forest Toy Drive

Who's in charge?   

What can I give?     new toys

When can I give?     Dec. 5 through Dec. 16

Where do I go?    

Colleen Kisel, of Oak Forest, has been collecting toys for the pediatric oncology departments of 39 hospitals throughout the nation since 1996 with the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Kisel thought of this idea in 1993 when she noticed that her seven year old son, Martin, found a distraction from the pain of painful procedures to treat his Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia with toys. Martin is now 25 and speaks to groups about how much those toys helped him.

Colleen said the holiday season is a vital time for the Treasure Chest Foundation.

"About 80 percent of the toys that are distributed come during this time of the year," Colleen said. "And they all come from about a 20-mile radius from Oak Forest."

Who's in charge?     Oak Forest Youth Commission, Marley Majetic

What can I give?     non-perishable food items

When can I give?     now, indefinitely

Where do I go?    

Another young resident has made a big impact on those less fortunate. Marley Majetic, 13, of Jack Hille Middle School collaborates with the Oak Forest Youth Commission to collect food for the poor. Non-perishable items can also be dropped off at Oak Forest City Hall. For more information contact the Oak Forest Youth Commission.

Operation Blessing Toy Drive

Who's in charge? Oak Tree Community Church

What can I give? New, unwrapped toys and winter items such as hats, gloves, but no stuffed animals please

When can I give? Dec. 4, between 8:30 a.m and 1 p.m.

Where do I go? Oak Tree Community Church, 15601 S. Lamon Ave.

Oak Tree will join in Operation Blessing, providing Christmas gifts for children ages 1–12 years old. The families will meet at Oak Tree on Dec. 10 to choose from a selection of toys to provide for their children at Christmas.

Please bring new unwrapped toys, winter items such as hats, gloves, but no stuffed animals please. Donations of new or used bikes are also appreciated. Over 100 families were served last year!

Colleen Sheehan contributed to this report.