The Warren-Sharpe Community Center is looking to spread some holiday season cheer through its annual holiday assistance program for children and families.
Chief Executive Officer Kay Bolden said organizing the holiday assistance program benefits the community.
“Every year, it’s a Warren-Sharpe tradition,” she said. “Local churches provide gift for kids.”
Bolden said the mission of the community center’s effort is clear.
“We hope for every child and every family to have a lovely Christmas,” Bolden said.
A number of area churches are contributing to the cause this year, including Cathedral St. Raymond (Joliet), St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Mokena), and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish (Naperville).
“They provide gifts for about 150 families,” she said.
Bolden said it’s difficult to gauge if the community’s need for the holiday assistance program has increased over time.
“Our numbers are holding steady,” she said. “Our food pantry is seeing a jump.”
Bolden said the community center sees a lot of volunteers helping out around the holiday season also.
“We have lots of volunteers that help distribute the gifts,” she said.
The Warren-Sharpe Community Center has been serving the needs of the community in various ways over the last 25 years.
Bolden said it’s nice to see that people believe in the message that the holiday season is meant for giving.
“So many of our volunteers and people who support us see this as a good time to support the community center,” she said. “They see this as a good time to share the blessings.”
Bolden said she would like for people to know how they can get involved in the effort to spread some holiday season cheer.
Food and monetary donations can be dropped off at the Warren-Sharpe Community Center, 454 S. Joliet St. in Joliet.
If interested in volunteering, community members can visit warren-sharpecommunitycenter.org for more information.
Warren-Sharpe Community Center is a member agency of United Way.