Monday, December 17, 2012
Bring a little Christmas cheer to those young and old who will be spending this holiday in the hospital by donating an ornament to HOPE Ornaments.
Living with a high blood pressure disease that has caused blackouts and seizures, Lyzzi Elliott, 28, of Grayslake, has spent several holidays in a place no one wants to be—a hospital. She's made it her mission to bring Christmas cheer to others in the same situation, by collecting holiday ornaments to donate to hospitals throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Elliott said she was inspired to establish HOPE Ornaments seven years ago after bringing an ornament to her friend's daughter, who was hospitalized with leukemia. "The moment she saw the ornament she smiled, and it changed everything," said Elliott, who understands what it's like to be stuck in a hospital bed for the holidays instead of celebrating at home with family and friends. Elliott…
Saturday, April 23, 2011
We want to recognize local children who have done great things in our Whiz Kid column. Know someone we should recognize? Tell us.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Saturday, April 23, 2011
Whiz Kids of the Week: Laila, Emmy and Bria Verber Accomplishment: The three sisters donated a total of 33 inches of hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization in Florida that provides children under 21 with a custom, vacuum-fit, hair prosthetic. The girls' mother, Bridget Verber, cut the girls' hair into matching graduated bobs. Keys to Success: The girls wanted to donate their hair, and they did it together for all the right reasons. It wasn't a quick process. The Verber girls waited a long time to do what they did. Laila had waited since she was born, Emmy waited three years and Bria, two years. The hair cuts came last weekend. The girls were excited that their hair could hopefully bring a smile to another boy or girl who no …
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"You can never replace parents, but we get as close as we can," said the director of a charity that connects Lake County families with Kenyan orphans.
What started with an idea of wanting to help, grew to supporting 11 orphaned children in Kenya has now grown to provide for the physical, educational and emotional needs of 92 orphans who are connected one-to-one with American sponsors. Those children now feel they have a family, thanks to a charity called Oasis for Orphans. "We are creating story cards on each child," said Executive Director Scott Hayward of Grayslake. "We learn about their journey and share that with their sponsors here. It is intentionally very personal. These kids feel the difference. We're creating this bridge from here to there." "You can never replace parents," he added, "but we get as close as we can." Oasis for Orphans works with "total orphans" or children who …
Bonnie Shileny
10:08 am on Sunday, April 24, 2011
How wonderful that children so young are aware of others in need and do something about it. We can all take a lesson from Bria, Laila, and Emmy. Glad to hear the news recognizing these great hearted girls. Bonnie Shileny - southern Illinois more ›