Marklund’s Giving Tree drive brings smiles!
February 4, 2010 by Andy Richardson
Filed under Announcements
Welcome back!
Marklund’s Annual 2009 Giving Tree drive was a huge success. Many generous “Santas” made the holidays brighter for the developmentally disabled children and adults served by Marklund. The Giving Tree drive took place at Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Dr., Geneva, and Marklund Philip Center for Children, 164 S. Prairie, Bloomingdale.
This year, many donors chose to purchase gift cards that provide Marklund residents with extra spending money to use on community outings.
“Marklund is thankful for the outpouring of support from this year’s donors,” said Vicki Krystof, director of development for Marklund. “This holiday at Marklund was full of excitement and a lot of love, thanks to our generous donors.”
For 24 years, the Giving Tree program has allowed Marklund residents to receive special holiday gifts from generous donors such as companies, clubs, churches, schools, and individuals.
How it works: Marklund residents submit wish lists with items ranging from winter coats to classical music CDs to gift cards (The residents go on an outing to spend their 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.
On Christmas Eve day, more than 100 Marklund volunteers and staff members gathered to help residents open their gifts. It was indeed a very happy holiday.
For more information about the Giving Tree, contact Cathy Nikrandt at cnikrandt@marklund.org or 630-593-5468 or go to: http://www.marklund.org.
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.
In Bloomingdale, Ill., the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children’s Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 – 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund’s respite program.
For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklund.org/
