Fox Valley: Brighten someone’s life this holiday season - Participate in Marklund’s Giving Tree drive!

Brighten someone’s life this holiday season - Participate in Marklund’s
Giving Tree drive!
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Fox Valley Staff on 12/02/2010 08:28:00

As the holiday season approaches, Marklund is gearing up for its Annual Giving
Tree drive which takes place now through Dec. 11, at both locations: Marklund
Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Dr., Geneva or Marklund Philip Center for Children, 164
S. Prairie, Bloomingdale.

Marklund enriches the lives of infants, children and adults with severe and
profound developmental disabilities with therapeutic services, day programming,
24-hour nursing care, and community programs.
For 23 years, the Giving Tree program has allowed Marklund residents to receive
special holiday gifts from generous donors (companies, clubs, and the public).
Marklund residents submit wish lists with items ranging from winter coats to
classical music CDs to gift cards. Giving Tree cards are created for each
resident with a brief bio and three gift suggestions. Donors take a card and
purchase one or more of the resident’s wish items and return them, festively
wrapped, to Marklund.
As a new addition this year, Marklund is also providing the option of supporting
day-to-day expenses. Every month, electric bills total approximately $23,000,
gas bills total over $16,000 and water bills total nearly $5,000, all of which
are necessary for Marklund to continue providing quality care for the
individuals who live in the Marklund homes. Local businesses are invited to
distribute Marklund’s holiday giving envelopes to customers, clients and
employees.
“The Giving Tree is such an important way to let residents know how special
they are,” said Vicki Krystof. “The holidays at Marklund are full of
excitement and a lot of love, and the Giving Tree is one of the best
examples.”
On Dec. 24, 100 Marklund volunteers and staff members gather to help residents
open their gifts. Another way to acknowledge the holiday season is to give items
from Marklund’s general wish list which is located at http://www.marklund.org/
For more information about the Giving Tree cards, call Cathy Nikrandt at
630-593-5468. To receive holiday donation envelopes, call Stevie Armbruster at
630-593-5473.
About Marklund
Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare
needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able
to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing
environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched
dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations.
Marklund is not-for-profit.
Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential
homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as
an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical,
social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.