Families Helping Families Chicagoland

Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight at Wheeling Town Center for the Louie In The Middle concert and school supply drive. It was loads of fun and we are so appreciative of all of the donations that came in. We are grateful for this community and their generosity! If you would still like to contribute, there are several items on our Back To School Amazon Wish List. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GN1YNSA7MUZQ?ref_=wl_share

It's that time of year again when many parents who are struggling financially reach out to us for help with purchasing school supplies for their children. Please join us THIS THURSDAY, August 8th at Wheeling Town Center for our annual school supply drive and a free concert featuring Louie In The Middle. We will have a table in the plaza where you can drop off school supplies and your kiddos can spin the wheel for some fun prizes. This band is loads of fun, playing classic rock and new hits. Can't make it on Thursday? No worries! We have created an Amazon Wish List. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GN1YNSA7MUZQ?ref_=wl_share - as always, we appreciate your kindness and generosity!

Non profit for those in need | Families Helping Families Chicagoland FHFC works with social service agencies and schools in Lake and Cook Counties to meet the needs of children and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, and other challenges. We are a grassroots organization mobilizing and linking our communities during times of crisis and hards...

The sudden death last week of Jake Arndt at 51 years old has left his wife (a local elementary school teacher) and their two children completely devastated. Emotionally, they are beyond traumatized by his untimely passing. Financially, they are struggling, as they lived pay check to pay check. We would like to support this family in their time of need. Will you join us in our efforts? 100% of every penny donated will go to them (our system has no service fees, so whatever you donate will be given to Jakes' wife Dana as she navigates life without him). If you would like to help, here is the link: https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/forms/sudden-death-of-dad-1

Today is a very special day!
Please join us in wishing the founder of Families Helping Families Chicagoland, Amy Newman a very happy birthday! Amy is absolutely incredible. She gives her heart and soul to this organization, which she founded in honor and memory of her mother - who, like Amy, was always giving and providing to others. Happy birthday, Amy! May all your wishes come true! https://www.fhfchicagoland.org/

Please help! We are raising funds to create hygiene kits for school age children in need. These kits will include a toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant and a loofah. The kits are $5 a piece. Will you please consider sponsoring one or more? 100% of every dollar raised will go toward the kits. Below is the direct link to donate. Thank you!!! https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=77

Please join us on Thursday, May 16th and help support the important work of Simply Bee! Here is the link for more information:
Mental Health Action Day Walk & Ice Cream Social

FREE TICKETS!

Dog Man : The Musical.
Studebaker Theater- chicago

Families Helping Families Chicagoland is thrilled to offer free tickets for opening weekend of Dog Man: The Musical.

To request tickets, please submit this google form.

Options:
Wednesday 1/31 @ 7pm
Saturday 2/3 @ 7pm
Sunday 2/4 at 5 pm

Tickets will be pickup up from Will-Call.

We are limited to 400 free tickets so only request tickets you can actually use.

Thank you!!

Free tickets to see "Dog Man- The Musical" Please submit this form if you would like free tickets on one of the dates lised.

IMMEDIATE NEED! Please see the letter below that we received from a local mom with five children who is struggling. We have created a link where ALL DONATIONS (100%) will go directly to her. The link is below the letter. Please help if you can. She needs us, and we need you. Thank you!

Hello. I am so sorry to reach out like this. I am not sure where to go or how to get help. My 16 year old was a patient at Lurie Children's and has been at Shirley Ryan since mid-November. I needed to be in Chicago for a few weeks before they transferred her from the hospital for rehab. Then I travelled back and forth daily to be with her. This has hurt me financially. I have 5 kids total and 3 of them are medically needy with my 16 year old being the most severe. I still have to travel to and from downtown Chicago 4 days a week and we are on a solidly fixed income of only SSI. I do go to a local food bank for some groceries, but we barely scrape by. Between worrying about groceries for my family, and the traveling for medical, I am literally crying as I try to figure things out. I am not sure where to look for assistance and was wondering if there is any way that Families Helping Families Chicagoland can offer some help. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this and I am beyond grateful for any assistance you or your community can provide. Thank you!

https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=152&&test=true

***UPDATE***
Thank you! Your donations for this immediate need totaled $943. Families Helping Families Chicagoland is matching this amount, bringing the total to $1886. Mom is breathing a sigh of relief and we are so grateful to our wonderful community for jumping on board to help!

Please help. Family needs groceries and other necessities!
We received an email today from a local mom of two young children in desperate need of food, toiletries and other necessities. We have created a link (below) to raise money for assistance. 100% of every penny will go directly to her. AND, Families Helping Families Chicagoland will MATCH all donations dollar for dollar. Let's help this mom together. Thank you!
https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=170&&test=true

Did your kiddos get too many toys this holiday season? Are you looking for a meaningful way for your children to learn about paying it forward and giving to those less fortunate? If so, we are collecting NEW/unopened toys, games, stuffed animals, etc., that we will donate to children and families in need. We often get requests from parents, grandparents, teachers, social workers and those working in pediatric wards of hospitals asking for these items, and your donations will be greatly appreciated. Ross Cosmetics & Boutique-For Savvy Women Who Love to Shop & Save in Downtown Highland Park offered to be a drop off. We also have drop offs in Gurnee, Buffalo Grove, and Glenview. Please drop off at Ross's or send us a message for the addresses of the other locations, which are personal residences. Thank you!!!

Happy New Year!

On behalf of our Board of Directors and the thousands of children and families we serve each year, we thank you, our donors and supporters, who have been right here with us. Everything we do is because of your kindness, compassion and generosity. Because of you, we have been able to give to so many in need.

As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024, we are once again asking for your support of Families Helping Families Chicagoland.

Your past donations have allowed us to serve our local communities in a variety of ways. In addition to filling many immediate need requests for families in crisis and those experiencing financial hardships, we’ve also provided children in foster care with holiday presents, given warm coats and other necessities to those who didn’t have them, assisted those in domestic violence situations, helped families whose homes were destroyed by flood and fire, provided food to the hungry, sponsored school breakfasts for low income families, and so much more.

Our mission is simple. We are a grassroots organization mobilizing and linking our communities to help families with children - and children in foster care - during times of crisis and hardship. Our goal is to help as many people as we can. As a completely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization, we simply cannot make an impact within our local communities without generous and caring donors like you.

Your support is vital to helping us meet the growing needs of families and children in our community – and sadly that need continues to grow. We see it every day.

You can make a difference. You’ve done so in the past. Can we count on you again?

Please consider making a donation to help us continue the important work that we do! Here is the direct link on our website: https://www.fhfchicagoland.org/donate. We also welcome donations via Zelle ([email protected]) and Paypal ().

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy New Year!

Amy Newman, Founder – Families Helping Families Chicagoland

Board of Directors:
Alisa Bay, Melissa Dore, Lauren Henderson, and Melanie Stagman-Boyd

Happy holidays! We have been gifted 50 tickets for Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish: The Musical at the Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest and we are paying it forward by offering this gift to you! The free tickets are for the 10 am shows on Saturday, December 30th and Sunday, December 31st. If interested, please call the box office and mention Families Helping Families Chicagoland. This show has received wonderful reviews. It's a beautiful, heartwarming tale about a rag doll hoping to find a family of her own. We think you'll love it! Call today! ☎️ 847-735-8554
https://www.eleanorswish.com/
www.CitadelTheatre.org

Thank you for helping us make Christmas so special for so many! Your kindness and generosity during the holiday season (and all year long) have made a tremendous difference in the lives of hundreds of children and families in our community. We are truly grateful. THANK YOU and Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
https://www.fhfchicagoland.org/

Sick Children in Need of Medicine!
Dear friends, it's been brought to our attention that several local shelters are in need of over the counter medications for children. Their supply is simply not meeting the demand. Can you help? We have created an Amazon wish list based on their needs, and we also have a link for financial donations that will be used to purchase much needed medicine. Below are the links. Thank you for your kindness and generosity...

Link for Financial Donations: https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=113&&test=true

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1UR7DD35GCL8K?ref_=wl_share

Wow! What a day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Holiday Party and Give Back Gala! Because of you, 400+ children will receive beautifully wrapped holiday gifts this year! A big shout out to all of our wonderful volunteers, the amazing (and very generous) staff of the Hilton Northbrook, the creative team from A Hardy Party, DJ Ryan from A-Z Entertainment, Ltd. CHICAGO, Jolie Images Photography & Video for the fabulous photo booth, Anthony Mazur Photography, and all the businesses that donated to our raffle table. We are SO GRATEFUL!

Tomorrow is the day!!! A few spots are still available!!

Registration is OPEN for our Holiday Party and Give Back Gala! Join us on Sunday, December 10th at the Hilton Chicago Northbrook to help wrap toys and games for children and families in need. We provide all the gifts, wrapping paper and supplies, and you wrap them up! Additional service projects including making cold weather kits and packing snack packs for those in homeless shelters and lower income families. Below are the links to register ($5 per person, with 100% going to support the work of our non-profit). Please take note: there are TWO SESSIONS, so be sure to register for the one that's best for you. Space is limited. We look forward to seeing you!

SESSION 1 - Noon to 1:30 pm

[https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=280&](https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=280&)

SESSION 2 - 2 pm to 3:30 pm

[https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=285&](https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=285&)

Come help us wrap toys and games for kids in need THIS SUNDAY, December 10th at the Hilton Northbrook. This is our annual holiday give back event with several community service projects including gift wrapping and creating cold weather kits and snack bags for those in homeless shelters. Space is limited so registration is required. Would you like to join us? Visit our website and RSVP today. There are two sessions. www.fhfchicagoland.org

Here are some pics of board members shopping and fulfilling the wish lists of hundreds of kiddos. These are the gifts that you'll be wrapping at the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Many local children receive free breakfast and lunch daily at school. Over winter break, they are left with whatever food can be found at home (which often times is not much). For Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to our dedicated FOOD INSECURITY FUND. Every single dollar raised will be used to provide groceries to children and families in need. Requests are already starting to come in. With your help we hope to fill them all! Below is the direct link to donate. There is no processing fee, so 100% of your donation will go to this fund. Thank you! https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=103&&test=true

Please help us bring some holiday cheer to children less fortune. Our sign up genius with children’s holiday wish lists is now live. Here’s the link. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

FHFC Simply add your name to the slot(s) you desire. We ask that you do NOT wrap the gifts. Please put them in a LABELED bag with the individual's information on it (Name, Age, Gender, Wish List). If you CAN NOT purchase the gifts you agree to please let us know as soon as possible. If you CAN NOT drop o...

Registration is OPEN for our Holiday Party and Give Back Gala! Join us on Sunday, December 10th at the Hilton Northbrook to help wrap toys and games for children and families in need. We provide all the gifts, wrapping paper and supplies, and you wrap them up! Additional service projects including making cold weather kits and packing snack packs for those in homeless shelters and lower income families. Below are the links to register ($5 per person, with 100% going to support the work of our non-profit). Please take note: there are TWO SESSIONS, so be sure to register for the one that's best for you. Space is limited. We look forward to seeing you!

SESSION 1 - Noon to 1:30 pm
https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=280&

SESSION 2 - 2 pm to 3:30 pm
https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=285&

A-Z Entertainment, Ltd. CHICAGO
A Hardy Party
Hilton Northbrook
Find It in Northbrook
Northbrook Chamber of Commerce

SAVE THE DATE! Yes, plans are in the works for our annual Holiday Party and Give Back Gala (scheduled for Sunday, December 10th from noon to 4 pm at the Hilton Northbrook). Details coming soon!

HELP provide a BED for a local child!

A Northbrook school reached out to Families Helping Families Chicagoland on behalf of a family.
They need a bed for their child.
No child should go without a bed!

Can you donate today?? We would like to order ASAP!!

https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=166&&test=true

Updated!

We have raised $1600 in 14 hours!

Rachel had to take four leaves between March 2020 and June 2022 due to Covid and long Covid. She eventually lost her job because she wasn’t cleared to return to work.

She exhausted her retirement savings between then and November 2022 when I got a new job. She was trying to get caught up on her back bills when her contract role ended in April. Since June she has paid what she can out of unemployment, usually $1600/month and started a dog walking/pet sitting side business to help.

Her mom has helped a little but has stage 4 colon cancer and is drowning in medical bills.

On her own with 2 kids, this is a nightmare that could happen to ANY of us!

https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=165&&test=true

IMMEDIATE NEED!! (Rachel gave us permission to share her photo).

Rachel, a local mom, is desperately trying to avoid eviction on WEDNESDAY!

Families Helping Families Chicagoland is trying to help raise enough money to have the $5800 she needs and still have money to keep food on the table and necessities for her children.

Rachel is proud and embarrassed to ask for help, but it truly takes a village.

ALL money raised goes directly to Rachel❤️‍🩹. We cover ALL fees!

Please donate and share today!

https://familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/familieshelpingfamilieschicagoland/donation.jsp?campaign=165&&test=true

Families Helping Families Chicagoland Improving the lives of families and children one at a time.

IMMEDIATE NEED!!

Rachel, a local mom, is desperately trying to avoid eviction on WEDNESDAY!

Families Helping Families Chicagoland is trying to help raise enough money to have the $5800 she needs and still have money to keep food on the table and necessities for her children.

Rachel is proud and embarrassed to ask for help, but it truly takes a village.

ALL money raised goes directly to Rachel❤️‍🩹. We cover ALL fees!

Please donate and share today!

It Takes A Village - rachel It Takes A Village - rachel