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OPWG regularly partners with multiple local non profit organizations to tailor service projects to the needs of our local community. Here are some of our recent and planned projects!
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PARTNERSHoliday Food and Gift BasketsOPWG members purchase, wrap, and help deliver gifts to be distributed to low income families and seniors living in our community. The sign up for this project will come around in October. Members are encouraged to reach out to neighbors and friends to see if they would also like to sponsor individuals. All sponsor details are distributed in November and the gifts are collected and wrapped in December.
Beyond HungerOur "Pennies for the Pantry" Drive encourages members to involve their children as we collect and save pennies all year long to raise funds for the OPRF Food Pantry. We also provide "Dessert Kits" at Thanksgiving that include a cake pan and supplies to make a cake. We've also had a feminine products drive for the women at distribution.
Hephzibah Children's AssociationOPWG members meet with and provide personalized backpacks, school supplies, and pajamas to the the 26 children that live in the residence at Hephzibah each August. Additionally, OPWG shops for and provides a new set of clothing for each new child who arrives at Hephzibah. In 2018, 12 children were provided with clothes through this project.
Sarah's InnOak Park Women Guild members help promote awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month by putting up purple ribbons in downtown Forest Park and throughout Oak Park/River Forest. In the past, OPWG has provided gift wrap kits, ER baskets, Women's Day gifts, and supplies through Baby Drive.
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The Collababoration for Early Childhood
The Collaboration for Early Childhood is a public and privately funded OPRF not-for-profit whose mission is to promote high-quality early childhood care, learning experiences, and family support so that all children 0-5 develop their full potential and thrive.
PINGBrings equitable access to the instrumental music programs in Oak Park and River Forest School Districts 90, 97, and 200 by loaning instruments and providing music enrichment opportunities to students in need, opening the door to music education and all its related benefits to those students who would otherwise be unable to participate.
New MomsNew Moms is a beneficiary of our book and baby drives. In 2019, over 2,1000 diapers, 4 cases of baby wipes, 60 sleep sacks, 30 swaddle sets, 30 2-pack pacifier sets, 30 rattles, 30 teethers, and 30 tummy time mats were provided.
In 2020, OPWG created 60 Mother's Day gift bags for every New Moms client. Each bag was filled with treats to delight and pamper each new mother, all sourced from local small businesses. Oak LeydenOak-Leyden is a caring, uniquely qualified organization providing a wide range of vocational and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as comprehensive therapeutic, educational, and family support services for infants and young children.
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PROJECTSMovie FundraiserThrough a partnership with the Lake Theatre, the community is invited to attend a family friendly morning that includes screening of a popular children's movie, drawings for fun prizes, and more. All proceeds from the event benefit a selected community member in need. Since its inception in 2009, collectively OPWG has raised more than $44,000 for local families.
Book DriveOPWG organizes a community wide collection of gently used books to be donated to several of our charity partners including Children's Clinic, New Moms, the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, Opportunity Knocks, and PCC Wellness.. In 2018, 3,200 books were collected and distributed to our charity partners.
Baby DriveThrough an online wish list, OPWG members and community members come together to provide essential items to assist with childbirth and new babies. OPWG provides diapers, baby wipes, sleep sacks, and other essential baby items to New Moms. Diapers in much needed larger sizes and cases of baby wipes were delivered to A House in Austin. In the spring of 2019, 30 sleeper sets, a case of baby wipes, and 2,400 diapers were purchased and donated to The Children's Clinic. In 2019, 150 heat packs, 30 baby carriers, and 56 oral thermometers were purchased and donated to the Birth Center at PCC Wellness for laboring moms and new moms.
2020 Havana Nights FundraiserThe Oak Park Women’s Guild would like to thank all of our sponsors, supporters, members, friends and family for their support of our 2020 Havana Nights fundraising event. The funds raised support our operating budget and allow us to partner with local charities to help the underserved members of our community, while providing a personal touch to each project in our own unique way. We could not do it without you, you are our heroes.
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