30 Years of Helping People on the Holidays

Orland Township rang in the holiday season by making sure 192 families in Orland Park, Orland Hills and Tinley Park had food, presents and other goods before Christmas.

Since 1983, the township has organized a gift and food drive called the Holiday Program, and this year was the largest it has ever been.

“People have been very generous,” said Marianne Hill, Orland Township Food Pantry coordinator. “We’re trying to make sure everyone has a happy holiday.”

On Dec. 18, the township’s main activity room was full of food bags, toys, toiletries, winter clothing and other donated items. Several organizations took part in the Adopt A Family program, and donated the requested goods directly to the homes of those in need, Hill said.

Among them is All Saints Lutheran Church, who adopted 30 families. Kiwanis Club of Orland Park also adopted 30, and the Orland Park Lions Club adopted 20 families. The Lions Club plan to deliver presents and goods on Christmas Eve, Hill said. Olive Garden in Orland Park also took on 30 families for their Giving Tree program, according to Hill.

Families that were not adopted still received goods available for pick up at the Orland Township office on Ravinia Avenue. Orland firefighters were on hand to help carry goods to recipients’ cars, and several other volunteers helped people as needed during the distribution day.

Look at the Distribution Day photo gallery on Orland Township’s Facebook page.

“More families were adopted this year than in the past,” Hill said.

Local schools also got into the act. Students at Prairie School collected about $1,400 in coins to buy toys. Orland Junior High donated money. Mary Sears Preschool and Orland Park’s Lunch and More preschool enrichment program both donated canned food and sang carols.

The Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce collected toys and food at the recent holiday party to donate to the Holiday Program. The Village of Orland Park was also listed as a large contributor by the township.

“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of individuals and organizations in the community, the Holiday 2013 Program soared to new heights this year, with a record breaking amount of donations received and lives touched,” Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady said in a release. “We are honored to be a part of such a kind and caring community and would like to send our thanks to everybody who made the Holiday 2013 Program so special.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the future of the area. You'll be subscribed to the free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Orland Park / Tinley Park

Like Orland Park Patch and Tinley Park Patch on Facebook.