The Easter Bunny joined forces with Christmas Without Cancer last week to bring holiday cheer to 31 children in 13 families throughout the area, by delivering Easter baskets.
Created and donated by volunteer Maria Stefanos, of Orland Park, each basket contained candy, gift cards and goodies, bringing a smile to Southland porches. This is the third year Stefanos has purchased items and created baskets for delivery to Christmas Without Cancer families.
Numerous toys and surprises were also included in the baskets. New this year, Christmas Without Cancer also hosted an Easter Egg Hunt at each of the family’s homes for the kids.
Since 2003, Christmas Without Cancer has aided thousands of people across the Chicago area by providing holiday gifts, as well as basic necessities to area families dealing with cancer. Founded in 2003 by an oncology nurse, the organization identifies and adopts multiple families throughout the year and supplies them with gift cards for groceries, medications, gas, and other “need” items, as well as help with mortgage payments, rent, tuition and travel related expenses for treatment.
On Saturday, Christmas Without Cancer will host a drive thru event where spring cleaners can drop off gently worn, used or new sneakers, as part of the organization’s “GotSneakers” fundraising campaign.
Donations, including gift cards and cash, can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hamilton B. Maher Community Center, located at 3450 W. 97th Place, Evergreen Park.
Gym shoes in child sizes 4 and above, as well as any adult size, or brand will be accepted. Every pair will be donated to GotSneakers, to raise funds for Christmas Without Cancer. To date, more than 1,000 pairs of sneakers have been collected for donation.
More information is at www.christmaswithoutcancer.org.
