February 2, 2024
Dear United Christian Church Friends and Family:
Starting this Sunday, we will begin our first community-based event for the 2024 year. The “Spread The Warmth” Clothing Drive is designed to assist the various nonprofit and mutual aid groups that are assisting newly arrived migrants in the Chicagoland area. These agencies need financial help and donated goods now more than ever to help thousands of people.
More than 18,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August of 2022. Nearly 11,000 are being housed in temporary city-run shelters, while about 3,000 are sleeping inside and outside police stations and city airports.
Community groups need temperature-appropriate clothing for these cold winter months. I have attached a flyer and a checklist of requested items. Drop-off bins are located in the church narthex.
Our clothing drive coincides with the church’s observation of the Week of Compassion Offering (February 18 & 25).
Please download the TWO attached flyers. Share this information with your friends, neighbors, and family.
Financial donations will also be gladly accepted and can be given at church or through the Givelify and Vanco phone apps.
Collection dates will be from February 4 – March 3, 2024. My hope is that we can grow this ministry to be not just for the migrants or our newest neighbors, but that it will be for the wider community, too.
Yours in Christ,
Kevin Benford
Worship Ministry Chairperson
Click here for the Flyer
Click here for the items list. (You can also see it below.)
CLOTHING (NEW or GENTLY USED)
MEN, WOMEN, and CHIILDREN
- Long sleeve tops (shirts/blouses/sweaters)
- Sweats/warmups (All sizes)
- Hoodies/jackets (All sizes)
- Coats/jackets/gloves/hats/caps (All sizes)
- Jeans or khaki pants
- Sneakers, work boots, comfortable walking shoes
- New underwear/boxers/thermal wear
- T-Shirts
- Socks
- Bras
- Belts
- Blankets/sleeping bags
- Backpacks/duffle bags
FAMILY HYGIENE KITS
- Hand towels and washcloths
- Toothbrushes (new)
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Bars of soap
- Body Wash
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Shaving Cream
- Disposable razors
- Sanitary napkins
- Box of Assorted Bandages
- Stick or Cream Deodorants (no aerosol sprays)
- Hairbrushes/Combs
- Fingernail Clippers
- Wipes
- Kleenex/Tissues
- Body/Hand Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-Tips/Cotton balls
- Lip Balm
- Feminine Supplies
- Toilet Paper
BABY ITEMS: BRAND NEW ONLY
- Baby Soap, Lotion, Diaper Cream
- Baby Washcloths
- Bibs
- Bottles & Sippy Cups
- Burp Cloths
- Combs & Brushes
- Diapers & Pull Ups (all sizes, open packs accepted)
- Formula & Baby Food (unopened & unexpired)
- Nursing Supplies: Pads, Tubing, Milk Bags, etc.
- Pacifiers & Teething Toys
- Period & Perineal Products
- Wipes (unopened)
BABY ITEMS: NEW OR LIKE NEW ESSENTIALS
- Baby Blankets, Sleep Sacks, & Swaddles
- Baby Towels
- Books: Children & Parenting
- Clothing & Outerwear (Children sizes NB-6/7)
- Diaper Bags
- Maternity Clothes
- Shoes (Children sizes 0-12)
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
- Flashlight & Batteries
- 1 Calendar
- Pads of Paper
- Pens/Pencils
- Travel Sewing Kit
- Small toolkit
NOT ACCEPTED ITEMS
- No summertime clothes
- No food
- No toys, stuffed animals, games, or electronics
- No houseware items or furniture
