Students and families that attend the Transition 99 Center in Downers Grove, which currently serves 65 students with special needs, have received generous support from a variety of community organizations this holiday season. One third of Transition 99 families this year are experiencing food insecurity and/or financial hardship necessitating the need for winter clothing, food and household items.
Student Mary Ruiz receives a holiday gift
Transition 99 would like to express gratitude to the following organizations:
- The Rotary Club of Downers Grove provided a grant of $2,500 in support of these T99 families in need. With the funds, gift cards from Walmart, Target, Jewel, Mariano’s and Aldi were purchased and household items were provided, including bedding sheets and blankets. All students received a present to open.
- Functional Effect, a fitness and rehabilitation gym and chiropractic care facility in Downers Grove owned by husband and wife team Dr. Tyler Reynolds and Sarah Fischer-Reynolds, hosted a holiday drive for T99. Their facility and members raised $1,500 and purchased brand new winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves along with some gifts that T99 students could present to their siblings.
- The Downers Grove Area FISH organization provided free holiday meals for T99 families; it also provides ongoing support throughout the year with its food pantry. Meals were offered to families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. T99 Staff delivered the food to families without transportation.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, and thank the people who are part of these organizations for helping our students and families,” said Director of Special Services and leader of the Transition 99 Center Lisa Bollow. “These donations make such a difference, and truly make the holidays a lot brighter for many people.”
T99 staff enthusiastically coordinated this community effort on behalf of their students and families. They donated gifts and wrapping supplies themselves along with managing all of the logistics to make this event a success. They loved seeing their students smiling faces when presented with the gifts.
Transition 99 students are taught life and vocational training to provide foundational skills for their future. Read more about T99 at https://www.csd99.org/schools/transition-99-center.
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