Rock House Kids Christmas gift drive now under way

Staff Report

Rock House Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that reaches 200-plus street and at-risk children ages 4-18 each week who are in need, is now hosting a drive for donations to help provide each child with an individual gift for Christmas.

Since 1999, Rock House Kids has been a safe environment for children to receive a hot meal, receive basic life instruction, social activities such as field trips, purity classes, and gang prevention. They also distribute food bags (weekly) and seasonal giveaways such as winter coats, backpacks with school supplies, clothing such as socks, caps, and hygiene products. Christmas is a time of year that is focused on giving a child a gift just for them; no sign-up from parents required!

Rock House Kids is asking the community if they will donate $25 towards the purchase of a gift for one child or give a Wal-Mart gift card to help support this drive. The cutoff date for the donations to be made is Dec. 3. Donations may be dropped off at Rock House Kids during office hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday or mailed to the location. Rock House Kids volunteers will do the shopping and wrapping of gifts. A Christmas party will be hosted at Rock House Kids, and gifts will be given out. Executive Director Dola Gregory said, “We recognize many of these children will not receive presents at Christmas because their families may not have the funds or cannot sign them up for a gift through a charitable organization because of their own needs. It requires them to physically sign up the child, and parents must show proof of identification and income. We are all about the child.”

Rock House Kids does not receive any government funding. It operates solely on the support and generous gifts from the community. If you would like more information about Rock House Kids or its Christmas drive, contact the office at (815) 962-5067 or visit the website, Rockhousekids.org.

From the Nov. 21-27, 2012, issue