2024 Holiday Impact

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

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Our Stats

2014 89 0 600 50
2015 64 0 500 100
2016 84 0 800 300
2017 197 0 1800 600
2018 443 0 2400 800
2019 655 0 5000 850
2020 562 16 56 232 6862 800 $19,820.00
2021 638 121 201 257 9000 1200 $13,750.00 $3,835.00
2022 521 51 336 200 8630 100 $10,000.00 $4,625.00
2023 569 18 289 235 10004 201 $11,025.00 $3,080.00
2024 552 84 115 361 423 10067 139 $12,750.00 $4330.00
2025 597 182 184 361 584 10945 282 $12,250.00 $11,595.00
Totals 4971 472 299 115 1881 66,608 5442 $75,595.00 $27,465.00

Recipient Stories

Back-to-School, Full of Confidence

“ We are definitely in an unfortunate situation this school year, but your organization has helped my kids to know that there is still a lot of good in this world. We truly appreciate your kindness, and I especially appreciate how you helped to put smiles on my kids faces as they begin this new school year.”                                                         -Back-to-School Recipient

“Things have been really rough for our family and I am truly blessed to live in a community that cares so much about helping those in need when times are tough. My kids wanted me to tell you thank you for your generosity and making the new start of the school year a great experience.”                     -Back-to-School Recipient

Christmas Program

“Thank you so much for all your help in making Christmas possible in our home this year. I’ve had a crazy year followed by one obstacle or another and was so afraid I wouldn’t have anything to put under the tree this year. Everything selected was cute, squishy and colorful and what I know she will enjoy. Bless you all for your kindness and volunteer efforts.”                                  -Christmas Sponsorship Recipient

“I wanted to reach out to extend my deepest gratitude towards this organization and its members for helping make Christmas happen for my family this year. This has been a very difficult year for us financially, and Christmas has been on my mind for months. My husband and I both work full-time and although we both work and spend any free time we have on side hustles, we still are only barely able to pay bills with nothing leftover to save for emergencies or holidays. I'm so grateful that this organization allowed us to keep the magic of Christmas alive for our daughter.”                             -Christmas Sponsorship Recipient

Throughout the Year

“ The (Big Hearts Through the Year) program let me be a better mom when I just couldn't get my feet underneath myself. Being a single parent is really hard sometimes, and Big Hearts made it feel like I wasn't in this alone."                           -Big Hearts Throughout the Year Recipient

“I also want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you scrambled to provide for a couple of our families. I wish you could have seen the gratitude on one mom's face when I dropped off, and the smile on a student's face when he showed me his new shoes!”                                -D303 Social worker

"The first time I referred a family to BHTTY, I was absolutely amazed with everything that was provided. I helped a family load up laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, newborn items, and more into their apartment--and I just knew that this family was able to breathe a little bit easier now."             -Atlee Smith D303 Family & Community Liaison

“You guys donated new clothing for kids in need. I was working with a kid who was in juvenile detention since June. The only clothing he had was summer clothes and they were dirty and old. Due to your generous donations, I was able to give him NEW underwear, new sweats, new sweatshirt and new socks. But the best part was that your agency gave us a new pair of size 10 Men’s Nike gym shoes. This kid had never had a pair of Nike shoes as he grew up very poor. He was so excited! He could not believe it. I was also able to give him a brand new winter coat thanks to your donations as well. This kid was 17 years old and he said he had never worn all new items in his life. He said his grandma can only afford items from Good Will. It was really nice to be able to do this for him. When he left- he turned around and yelled out to us “I love you all!” It really made my day and sent him off on a positive note. This was a kid who only got one visit in 6 months.“              -Pam Ely, LCPC Mental Health Coordinator/ Program Manager Kane County Juvenile Justice Center