State Rep. Chris Bos, R-Lake Zurich, is hosting his inaugural holiday drive of its kind, accepting donations of essential items for the “Spread Good Cheer Collection Drive” now through Dec. 20.
A flyer announcing the holiday event provides a list of new items needed: big box and retail store gift cards, winter coats for teens in size adult medium or larger, pajamas, undergarments diapers, hats gloves and socks, and more.
The donated items will benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lake and Cook counties, which aids children who are in the court system due to cases of abuse or neglect.
“Our Court Appointed Special Advocates organizations interact with kids when they’re in really hard times and facing some really difficult challenges,” Bos said about CASA. “I also wanted to do something to let Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers know we see them and let those kids know that we see them, and we love them. We wanted them to know that they’re not alone in this journey.”
Bos explained that his 51st District is part of Lake and Cook counties, and his district office is looking at doing outreach to both.
Terri Zenner Greenberg, CASA Lake County executive director, said the Vernon Hills-based nonprofit covers the 51st District towns of Lake Zurich and Vernon Hills, and parts of Barrington and Buffalo Grove. She explained that CASA Lake County has more than 300 volunteers.
“I was very pleased to hear about this collection drive. We are so grateful to state Rep. Chris Bos,” said Greenberg. “Oftentimes families just need other essential items and food so to be able to access gift cards is just a wonderful service. Winter coats are greatly needed as are the other items. We currently represent over 600 children so these donations are a godsend to these families.”
Bonita Carr, executive director of CASA Cook County, said the Chicago-based organization helps city children from birth to age 18. According to Carr, 332 Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County volunteers are currently helping more than 650 children in foster care.
She offered praise for the collection drive.
“What state Rep. Chris Bos is doing is letting children who are in foster care know that their lives matter and that someone is invested in ensuring their lives matter. So many children come into the child welfare system with little or no belongings and often their belongings are crammed into a trash bag.”
Bos’s district also includes the Cook County towns of Arlington Heights and Palatine.
“This is one of those things that when you give to this drive, whether it’s a coat or whether it’s gift cards to allow volunteers to be able to get some fresh clothes or socks for a kid in need, you’re truly making a lasting impact in multiple lives,” Bos said.
The elected leader thanked people who are donating to the Spread Good Cheer Collection Drive. Donations can be dropped off at his district office, 92 E. Main St., Lake Zurich, Monday through Friday until Dec. 20, according to the flyer. They can also be shipped there.
“People who are donating should have warm hearts knowing that they are helping those that are often forgotten,” said Greenberg.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
