During this tough kind of strange year, I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people and to live in such a wonderful community. With that in mind, I wanted to take this time to remind the community about different holiday drives that are open, active and in need of support.
As always, it’s Freezin’ for a Reezin’ time where our community rallies to provide food for our homeless shelter for the winter. Because of COVID, they are asking for monetary donations in lieu of food drop-offs. Our office is sponsoring a money drop box, and our goal is $1,000. If you are able to donate, please stop by and drop in our collection bin in the atrium.
It is also normally beginning to be the time of the year when Polar Plunge teams are getting ready to make money for Make a Wish to grant wishes for kinds in the coming year. Our office would normally be a part of a very special plunge team in honor of my friend, Colby Francisco, but our local plunge event is not occurring this year. Please remember, at any time, you can go on the Make a Wish website and make a donation to the organization to help raise funds for children and their families who are suffering through serious illnesses which grant them wishes and gives their family an opportunity in a week of normal life like all of us experience on a day to day basis.
The last holiday fundraiser that I want to remind people is occurring is the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Department has a yearly Christmas for Kids where the Sheriff’s department raises funds and takes qualified children in our community shopping for coats, clothes and toys that they may have wanted throughout the year. This year they have more than 40 additional families that have signed up due to COVID layoffs. If you can find any spare money to donate to LaSalle County Sheriff’s Department you can reach out to Felicia Rasmussen and sponsor a child’s Christmas.
Please also remember that there are various charitable giving opportunities available to provide seniors in nursing homes with Christmas presents after such an isolated year. You can reach out to any of the local churches for more information about groups interested in working with the nursing homes to provide gifts and opportunities for seniors. This year, Christmas for me and I’m sure for many of you, and even Thanksgiving, is about making sure that our community continues to thrive through the difficult times. Please don’t forget to support your local businesses who donate to all of y our kids’ T-ball, girl scout, boy scout and all the other activity fundraisers that we do all year long. Please take a look at your neighbors and at your community, even the strangers and take a second to give to somebody that might not have as much as you do.
This Christmas especially, it is important not only to be grateful for everything we have but to be grateful for where we live and to support one another. If you’re looking for a great Christmas idea that supports a lot of local shops check out Open Space Art Galleries Facebook page where they partnered with may other local businesses to provide Christmas gift baskets customized to whoever you’re buying for with assortment of things from different stores locally.
As always, Thanksgiving is a time for thankfulness and love and I am eternally grateful for the community that I continue to serve. I hope you all are surrounded by happiness, health and prosperity through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let’s hope 2021 brings a tide of good luck for all of us.
-Attorney Alexis Ferracuti