Hearts AT Work spreading holiday cheer to those in need

December 16, 2009 – 10:48 am by Steven Niles

The holiday spirit has really taken hold at AbelsonTaylor Inc.

Members of Hearts AT Work, AbelsonTaylor’s corporate social responsibility program, are undertaking multiple projects this month to bring hope and smiles to area kids in need of both. Activities include: 1) a gift exchange for teen members of Youth Outreach Services; 2) a diaper drive for the Jane Addams Hull House Association; 3) a donation of books, music and arts and crafts materials to Kids Fight Cancer; 4) a backpacks program with the Sue Duncan Children’s Center; 5) a gifts-from-Santa program with local postal authorities; and (6) a shipment of hand-knit wool vests made by AbelsonTaylor employees for children on U.S. tribal reservations and in Asian and Eastern European orphanages (in association with Warm Woolies).

Activities will culminate in a Dec. 18 “WinterFest” at AbelsonTaylor headquarters, when employees package all gifts and donations for delivery or collection.

Hearts AT Work grew as a grassroots, employee-driven effort with year-round activities and a local focus. On a broader scale, AbelsonTaylor has been one of the leading global supporters of Heifer International for the past eight years.

Youth Outreach Services is a state agency providing community-based counseling, child welfare, juvenile justice, and prevention services to help teenagers – most of them living in poverty – face life’s challenges with confidence and dignity. As in 2008, Hearts AT Work solicited wish-lists from YOS members for gifts in the $20 to $25 price range, and individual employees are fulfilling the wishes. The company was eager to work with YOS a second year because teens are often overlooked by the various toy drives and holiday programs sponsored during the holiday season, most of which are geared to younger children.

Kids Fight Cancer is an organization that funds the Oncology Activity Center at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The center provides an entertaining and educational environment for pediatric and adolescent cancer patients through activities designed to keep fears low and spirits high. AbelsonTaylor employees are contributing a wide assortment of items for the young patients, including art supplies, crafts materials, toys, games, music, and books.

Sue Duncan Children’s Center is a year-round weekday program offering academic tutoring, psychological counseling, recreational activities, fine arts exposure, and a daily hot meal for children living in unsafe neighborhoods on Chicago’s south side. Hearts AT Work members are providing new backpacks for 80 children who attend the center, each containing school supplies, a hat and scarf, a card game or flash drive, candy, and a $25 gift card for an area grocery store.

Jane Addams Hull House Association has been improving social conditions in underserved Chicago communities since 1889, providing a comprehensive array of services to thousands of residents every
year. Because the cost of diapers can be a major strain on household finances for many families, AbelsonTaylor employees are staging a diaper drive for Hull House, gathering donations of disposable diapers as well as wipes, baby lotion, diaper rash cream, and related items.

Warm Woolies provides quality hand-knit clothing to children on native tribal reservations in the United States as well as in Asian and Eastern European orphanages.

Tags: AbelsonTaylor, charity, holidays, philanthropy