The holiday season is a time for giving. It’s a time for being thankful for all we have, and it’s a time for remembering those who are in need. Unfortunately, despite our good intentions, we don’t always get around to this. Setting aside extra money for donations is a challenge, let alone finding the time to volunteer.
One of the best opportunities to give back is on #GivingTuesday, which is Tuesday, December 1. What is #GivingTuesday? It’s a day dedicated to get people into the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Individuals, businesses, community leaders and families are all asked to participate by giving back to the nonprofits that support the community we serve.
We invite you to Community Bank on Tuesday, December 1 to make a donation to one of the following four local organizations. Community Bank will match every dollar donated, up to $1,000 total for each organization. All you need to do is visit one of our offices to make the donation. Collection boxes will be set up in the lobby for your contributions, one for each organization. Can’t make it to the bank that day? That’s fine, you will also be able to donate online, all you need to do is visit our website at www.cboprf.com. Remember, Community Bank will match any funds you donate, so we’re asking you to be generous in your support. Here is some information about each of the four organizations:
Animal Care League: The Animal Care League helps protect animals from improper use, abuse, neglect, inhumane treatment and health hazards through the following methods:
- Educating the public about responsible pet ownership
- Sheltering lost, abandoned and unwanted animals
- Preventing the birth of unwanted animals
- Reuniting lost pets and their families
- Adopting animals into loving and responsible homes
- Lovingly caring for the pets that reside in their animal shelter
- Assist low income families with special spay/neuter/vaccination pricing
Hephzibah Children’s Home: Hephzibah’s mission is a multifaceted one. They offer short- and long-term group homes for children traumatized by neglect and abuse, child welfare and family services, foster care and adoption programs and award-winning day care on a sliding scale for families of all income levels. Their internationally recognized children’s home is built in the shape of the letter H, which stands for healing, hope, happiness and, of course, Hephzibah!
OPRF Food Pantry: Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry’s mission is to work together as a community to reduce hunger locally through:
- Direct hunger relief services
- Hunger awareness education and
- Advocacy to influence anti-hunger policy
In its effort to provide hunger relief in 2014, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry provided nutritious groceries, produce, meat and dairy products to 16,063 local families comprised of 45,959 individuals. They serve residents of 12 zip codes including portions of the city of Chicago (Austin, West Humboldt Park, Galewood) and most of the suburbs surrounding Oak Park.
Sarah’s Inn: Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. Their services and initiatives focus on ending relationship violence through domestic violence crisis intervention, community education, and violence prevention programs for youth. Founded in 1981 by Oak Park residents, Sarah’s Inn works throughout the socioeconomically diverse region of Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods and Western suburbs. They believe in hopeful futures for survivors of domestic violence through the strength that comes from a networked and supportive community.
We are proud to have these four organizations serving the local community. Again, please take the time to make a donation on Tuesday, December 1. Our Oak Park office is located at 1001 Lake Street, and our River Forest office is at 7777 Lake Street.