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Holiday for Hope

Over the past year, we’ve poured ourselves into creating new educational experiences for Chicago youth, helping teachers learn to connect with their students in meaningful ways, and connecting with new community partners—all to ensure the dream of Dreams For Kids endures. It’s exciting.

As our highest priority is ensuring that Dreams For Kids is effective and sustainable, Holiday For Hope will be a bit different this year. The incredible amount of effort, hours, and goodwill that goes into the event and the coordination of distributing toys is always humbling. As we retool, rally our volunteers, and ensure our limited resources maximize the impact we collectively make, our focus this year will be connecting those in need to the organizations equipped to support them in the way they need. We cherish the opportunity to continue serving the needs of Chicago’s youth through education and are deeply grateful for your continued support.

Families in Need

There are a number of organizations doing great work in Chicago. Dreams For Kids is working to connect families to those organizations delivering toys. Our focus this year will be making those connections.

Families needing assistance with holiday gifts, coats, hats, and other essentials can contact long-time DFK partner, The Jesse White Foundation.

jesse white foundation

Jesse White Foundation
412 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654

Tel: 312.951.1820

In the past, Holiday for Hope has been a joyous in-person event. While we regroup and formalize the future of Holiday for Hope, we will, once again,
not be hosting the live, in-person event.

Drop-Off Locations

Although we are not hosting an in-person event or directly distributing donations this year, we are accepting donations on behalf of the Jesse White Foundation and Cradles to Crayons at our 9 W. Washington St. headquarters.

Deadline: Monday, December 18th at 5 p.m.

Location

Dreams For Kids | GCE Lab School
9 W Washington St
Chicago IL 60602

Near the corner of State and Washington Streets in the Loop

Accepted Items

  • New toys, board games, athletic equipment such basketballs, soccer balls, etc.
  • Clothing and coats (infant to youth sizes 18/20 and adult sizes small & medium)
  • New socks, underwear, and pajamas (we accept pajamas in new or gently-used condition)
  • Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 0–13 and adult sizes 1–10)
  • Books (ages 0-12)
  • New arts, crafts, and school supplies
  • New hygiene items
  • Unopened diapers, pull-ups, and diaper wipes