Chicago is a hub for Catholic gift-giving.
There are a number of Catholic charities based in Chicago and surrounding counties, and each one runs a gift-giving program at Christmas. Catholic charities in the city provide a variety of charitable programs throughout the year, but Christmas is especially important as a time of giving and thankfulness. Make the right choice by looking at each charity to see which one provides the best gift-giving service in relation to your beliefs, location and the gifts you wish to give.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is based on North LaSalle Street and has seven suburban locations in places such as Des Plaines and South Holland and a location in Lake County. Every Christmas, Catholic Charities conducts a month-long gift-gathering campaign. The gifts come from individuals as well as businesses and organizations and are given to needy children and families. These take the form of either sponsorship (money) or material gifts for the charity's toy showers. Catholic Charities acccepts donations of new toys or used toys in good condition. The organization also accepts household items and clothing.
Christmas Shelter
Cathedral Shelter of Chicago was founded in 1915 and runs a storefront mission. The Shelter helps the homeless and needy, as well as substance abusers. Cathedral Shelter runs a thrift store and accepts donations year-round. At Christmas, the Shelter runs a Christmas basket service, providing gift baskets to individuals, families and seniors. The Christmas baskets are organized by the charity, but you can sign up to sponsor specific baskets, make general monetary donations and even join their volunteers to make and distribute the baskets at Christmas time.
Boys Girls Club
The Boys Girls Club of Chicago hosts programs for youths designed to counteract the potential dangers of after-school times in deprived areas of Chicago. The organization also provides children with life-enhancing programs and a safe place to learn. The Boys Girls Club runs charitable programs at Christmas and accepts monetary donations rather than gifts. The organization also needs volunteers; your time and helpfulness can also be a gift.
Santa VP
For 50 years, Santa for the Very Poor has brought Chicagoans together for seasonal charitable programs. Known as Santa VP, the nonprofit organization works with various religious organizations and social groups, buying holiday gift bundles and giving them to poor people, including single-parent families and senior citizens. With Santa VP, you do not have to give gifts; 100 percent of money donated to its Christmas campaign goes towards toys, knit goods and food.
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