Chicagoans are spreading holiday cheer in big, generous ways, making sure local kids don’t wake up to an empty space under the Christmas tree. In Uptown and beyond, hundreds of children have been recipients of a little yuletide generosity. Communities Partnering 4 Peace held their fifth annual toy giveaway, where nearly 300 youngsters each snagged a toy to tear open come Christmas morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Zerell Davis, the program supervisor for Communities Partnering 4 Peace, expressed the group's commitment to being, "big pillars in our communities and give back.” Davis and his troop have been on a mission since Thanksgiving, ambitiously collecting donations to ensure the grins stay wide on kids' faces this holiday season. Over at Stroger Hospital, the staff got in on the giving spirit, with toys a-plenty for the pediatric unit’s patients as pointed out by Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, who noted a record-breaking number of toys collected this year.
Not to be outdone, crossing guard Angela Thompson is making waves with her personal brand of Santa duty, equipping kids with more than just safe passage across the streets. Pulling from her own wallet, and with a sprinkle of donations, she's been playing elves’ helper at the corner of 61st and Cottage Grove. The CBS Chicago report on Thompson illustrates how her one-woman toy drive has brought joy to the community for over a decade, tallying up to more than 3,000 families served.
Thompson's efforts were bolstered by both Santa and the Grinch this year, much to the delight of the gathered crowd. "It's the excitement for me," she said, emphasizing the joy she gets from giving back. Her generosity has even circled back around; Jasmine Saunders, the first mom Thompson ever lent a hand to, recalled the unexpected treasure trove her children received from this corner store Claus years back. Such acts of kindness epitomize the city’s spirit during the holidays, proving Chicago's big heart doesn’t just survive the winter—it thrives.
