Orland Township’s Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness From Local Schools
In the spirit of holiday giving, numerous local schools have donated food and toys to the Orland Township Holiday Program.
Orland Township’s Holiday Program has provided a yearly holiday meal, gifts, and other personal items to more than 200 resident families in need for over three decades.
This year, several schools across Orland Township joined in on the holiday giving.
Prairie School (14200 S 82nd Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462) teacher Claribel Rocha, who doubles as the Holiday Food Drive Coordinator, once again spearheaded the drive that contributes to the Orland Township Food Pantry in late November.
“Our school has been donating to the Orland Township Holiday Program for over 10 years.” said Rocha.
“We stress kindness at Prairie School. One way we can be kind is to help others in need.”
The food donated to the Orland Township Food Pantry helped ensure local families happily enjoyed their Thanksgiving. Ella, 2nd grader at Prairie, said, “I felt good helping people who don’t have food because I think it is a nice thing to do.”
Another notable school, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School (9250 W 167th St, Orland Hills, IL 60487), also took the time to participate. “As a school community, we realize there are people in need of basic necessities right here in the town our school is located in.” said Adrian Kurzweil, 6th grade teacher and student council moderator. “In our Student Council program, we strive to give back as much as we can to those in need, but especially in our community. It teaches us that there are people all around us that are in need of so many things, and that there is so much we can do to help.” Kristin Roy, 7th and 8th grade teacher and student council moderator, agreed.
Whether food items, self-care supplies, clothing, or brand-new toys, one hundred percent of every contribution made is given to applicants of the Holiday Program. The Holiday Program would not be possible without the thousands of donors who contribute yearly.
“It’s heartwarming to see our youth getting involved at Orland Township through such a meaningful program,” said Supervisor Paul O’Grady. “Keeping students involved in community service initiatives is important to the betterment of our futures. I’m always grateful to see them contributing their time and efforts.”
Special thanks to the local Orland Township Schools who have contributed over the past few weeks:
- Bannes School
- Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School
- Carl Sandburg High School
- Centennial Elementary School
- Center School
- High Point
- Jerling Junior High School
- Orland Junior High School
- Orland Park Christian Preschool
- Prairie School
- Village of Orland Park Preschool
- (and Hyde Park Day School, located outside of the Township in Lemont)
For more information on programs, services, and events being held at Orland Township, visit the website, orlandtownship.org, or call (708) 403-4222. Be sure to like the Orland Township Facebook page for more updates.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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