A Tinley Park nonprofit says it received’t have the ability to reopen its doorways till early subsequent 12 months following a hearth final month, whereas there was a big outpouring of assist with tens of hundreds of {dollars} in donations.
Collectively We Cope, which helps individuals dealing with homelessness, is seeking to elevate $75,000 to cowl losses not lined by insurance coverage following the Nov. 21 fire, and has to this point seen greater than $45,000 in contributions are available, a spokeswoman mentioned Tuesday.
The nonprofit nonetheless plans to carry its annual Santa’s Workshop distribution of toys and pajamas on Saturday, serving to households of some 200 kids, based on Marge Seltzner.
“We’ve been very touched by the generosity,” she mentioned. “It couldn’t have come at a greater time.”
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The hearth was confined to a sorting space for donations for Collectively We Cope’s Nu2u resale store, which is a serious income for the nonprofit, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave.
Whereas the fireplace was rapidly extinguished, smoke and water injury meant merchandise provided on the market needed to be thrown out together with many meals gadgets saved in an adjoining pantry, she mentioned.
Collectively We Cope is directing shoppers who depend on it for meals donations to different pantries, and may’t take any donations of meals for the pantry or merchandise for the resale store, Seltzner mentioned.
It’s estimated that about $70,000 in losses received’t be lined by insurance coverage, and it’s potential Collectively We Cope received’t reopen till March 1, she mentioned.
Employees are understanding of a cramped administrative house and “there are loads of issues we will nonetheless do for shoppers,” together with assist with issues corresponding to lease funds and utility payments, Seltzner mentioned.
On-line donations for the reason that fireplace have topped $20,000, and Collectively We Cope this week obtained a single donation of $25,000, though the donor needs to stay nameless, she mentioned.
Donations of unwrapped toys and pajamas, ideally in giant and extra-large sizes for youngsters corresponding to flannel sleep pants, are nonetheless being accepted at a brief storefront at 17030 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, with the house getting used for the Santa’s Workshop distribution, Seltzner mentioned.
Collectively We Cope may also hand out hats, scarves and mittens to households, she mentioned.
Luckily, gadgets collected earlier than the fireplace and meant for that distribution have been saved at a separate location and never broken, she mentioned.
Seltzner mentioned Collectively We Cope can also be seeking to discover a momentary location for the Nu2u resale store.
Though the fireplace didn’t unfold to the resale retailer, smoke and water injury resulted in nothing being left salvageable, she mentioned.
“Furnishings, the whole lot needed to be thrown out,” Seltzner mentioned.
Additionally serving to Collectively We Cope is a large vacation lights show organized yearly by Dominic Kowalczyk.
Visited by hundreds every year and requiring police assist to navigate the influx of traffic, the show spans his dwelling and adjoining properties within the 17300 block of Avon Lane in Tinley Park.
In 2014, he began amassing for Collectively We Cope, and that vacation season garnered $4,100 in donations.
Final 12 months slightly below $35,000 was raised, up from $32,000 the 12 months earlier than, based on Kowalczyk, who owns a building firm.
He sits on Collectively We Cope’s board of administrators and mentioned the retailer American Sale, primarily based in Tinley Park, helps once more this 12 months in elevating cash for Collectively We Cope.
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American Sale sells Christmas and different seasonal décor in addition to out of doors patio furnishings, playground units, swimming pools and grills.
Guests to the Tinley Park vacation show can scan a QR code for a coupon to indicate at checkout at an American Sale retailer, with a portion of the sale going towards Collectively We Cope, based on the corporate.
Kowalczyk mentioned the QR code is subsequent to his assortment field for Collectively We Cope, and he mentioned he hopes it can add to what the show itself will gather.
“It’s not simply individuals shopping for Christmas decorations, however something within the retailer,” he mentioned.
Kowalczyk mentioned he believes the information of the fireplace will assist spur donations, whether or not by his assortment or on to Collectively We Cope.
“They’ve had an outpouring of help,” he mentioned. “That is the time of 12 months when they’re there to assist individuals.”
mnolan@tribpub.com
