2007 PARC Giving Tree Spreads Holiday Cheer Thanks to Santa’s Little Helpers

Presents, presents everywhere!

Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or just plain Santa. The legendary mythical figure goes by many names. He is known to most as a fat, jolly man wearing a red coat and trousers with white cuffs and collar and black leather boots. The legend holds that he brings gifts on Christmas Eve for good girls and boys.

Here at PARC the spirit of Christmas has made believers out of all of us. Our “Santas” came in the form of individuals and groups who participated in PARC’s 2007 Giving Tree program. The Giving Tree is an annual event where participants pick a “gift wish tag” from PARC’s Giving Tree and fulfill that individuals holiday gift wishes. Many of the individuals residing in PARC’s community-based group homes do not have anyone to provide Christmas gifts for them. The Giving Tree is another way caring supporters help make a positive impact on a developmentally disabled person’s life.

While our “Santas” didn’t come in a sleigh, one group came in the next best thing…a truck and trailer. Michael’s Forgotten Angels came to PARC with a trailer load of presents for PARC participants who reside in our community-based group homes. It looked as good to us as any sleigh ever could! Michael’s Forgotten Angels descended on PARC on December 19, 2007 with gifts for over 60 individuals!

Other “Santas” came via more traditional means; all came bearing gifts given from the heart. In addition to providing gifts for individuals in PARC’s community-based group homes, participants of the Giving Tree also provided gifts for PARC’s Respite program.

JJ Rothan and his daughter Maggie had their hands full bringing in all the gifts from The Order of Alhambra Ziryab Caravan #52. The organization's members and their families show continued support to PARC throughout the year.

PARC is grateful to have such a wonderful gift this holiday season: a community that cares! Together, we really do make a difference in our community.

See 2007 PARC Photo Gallery

Thank you to all the “Santas” that participated in PARC’s Giving Tree this Holiday Season. Over 60 organizations and individuals participated in the 2007 PARC Giving Tree!

The Order of Alhambra Ziryab Caravan No. 52
Shirley Autzen
Ann Bond
Keith & Cheryll Boswell
Debbie Burch
Vanessa Burton
Sandy Bushell
Ellen Cantrell
Shirley Carroll
Mary Colgan
Kim Cornwell
Sheila Dickson
Portia Dudley
Pat Dvorak
Becky Eberle
Sandi Eberle
Terri Ehrenhardt
Cindy Fletcher
Jan Fox
Kim Gerard
Goodfield Apostolic Christian Sewing Club
Carrie Gruber
Debbie Hannon
Patti Hathcock
Doris Hayes
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
Deborah Henley
The Hickman Family
Sue Himes
Joy Hohulin
Kris Hornung
Christine Hyde
Liz Johnson
Alissa Juenger
Pat Kawczynski
Ed & Mary King
Jeanette Kosier
Emily Kull
Marty Kull
Northwoods Community Church
Charles May
Jeannine McAllister
Genevieve McGee
Richard & Lana Melton
Sharon Mercer
Michael’s Forgotten Angels
Sandra Miller
Edi & Jerry Morris
Eugenia Murphy
Kristine Nelson
OSF Healthplans
Mike Predmore
Karen Reeves
Jennifer Refferts
The Rothan Family
Christy Scalf
Art Seth
Dolores Sheen
Tina Southard
Margaret Stueve
Bill Troy
Charmaine Werner
Sonni Williams
Lynn Willock
Lori Wright
Brandis Younger
Becky Zentko
Zion Lutheran Church Re-union Group

Special Thanks to

Jeffrey Alans in Peoria

For their donation of a pre-lit tree.

PARC is grateful for their continued support!

Together, we make a positive difference in our community!

From all of us at PARC,

we wish you a joyous Holiday Season and

a New Year of peace and happiness!

She checking her list...

PARC staff, Tina Southard and Jeremy Miller, sort presents to go to individuals at the many PARC Community-Based Group Homes and PARC's Respite facility.

PARC staff all pitched in to sort through the many gifts so that they could be transported to PARC participants.