Wyndham Readies for Annual Food, Toy Drive

from Wyndham Lisle-Chicago

The cut a celebratory ribbon on Monday night to kick off its yearly effort to collect food, toys and warm clothing to benefit over 700 families in need at Bishop Paul Hall’s Community Center on the South Side of Chicago for the Center’s annual “Adopt-a-Family-for-Christmas” drive. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of the hotel’s giant toy and mitten boxes to collect donated items from the public. Local companies will also be at the hotel decorating trees they have sponsored to also be donated to families at Bishop Paul Hall’s Community Center.

Bishop Paul Hall has been feeding needy families for years on Christmas Eve. As the need for food continues to grow, the Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel has joined his cause for the past four years and will help deliver food to 700 families this year, along with a targeted 1,200 toys, 40 decorated Christmas trees and warm clothing like boots, hats, mittens and coats.

When Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Chef Kevin Jones first became aware of a food shortage at the center in 2008, he collected 13 turkeys from the hotel’s freezer and numerous food supplies and delivered them to the community center that evening.

“Three years ago on Christmas Eve I was sitting at home and saw Bishop Paul Hall’s Community Center on the news and they had run out of food with hundreds of people still waiting in the cold. I had 13 turkeys in our freezer at work and knew I could help,” said Chef Jones. “We continue to be inspired by the center’s mission to help others and encourage the community to join us in donating to this worthy cause, helping to ensure as many families as possible can enjoy a warm holiday meal.”

In 2009, the hotel, with the help of generous vendors, clients and the community, worked to collect and deliver enough food to feed 250 families on Christmas Eve. In 2010, enough donations were collected to feed 500 families and the hotel delivered over 1,000 toys and 40 decorated Christmas trees.

In 2011, Wyndham Lisle-Chicago aims to feed 700 families, deliver 1,200 toys, give 40 decorated trees and donate as many boots, hats, mittens and coats as possible to keep families warm as they wait in line on Christmas Eve to receive the food and toys.

“Donating food, clothing and toys to Bishop Paul Hall’s Community Center on Christmas Eve is our way of giving back to a community deeply in need,” said Hotel Manager Tammy Madajewski. “We are very grateful to each and every vendor, client, friend and neighbor who will help us provide these items to those less fortunate this holiday season.”