By: Megan Nowezki (Loyola Sophomore)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Snow is falling, lights are hung on the sides of buildings, and Christmas songs are blasting through the speakers at every coffee house, grocery store, and shopping mall.
Although many adults look forward to spending time with loved ones, having a long-awaited break from school, or simply celebrating the holidays, there is only one thing on the minds of the children of Chicago this winter season.
Presents.
For a lot of kids, the time leading up to the holidays consists of making wish lists and waiting for the day they get to wake up and unwrap whatever shiny toy they asked for. Some, on the other hand, are not as fortunate.
Whether families are struggling financially or facing additional challenges, Tapestry 360 Health has made it their mission to bring holiday cheer to every pediatric (newborn to 13-year-old) patient who walks into their clinic this winter.
Tapestry 360 Health, previously known as Heartland Health Centers, is a federally qualified health center with 16 locations serving Chicago’s north side and nearby suburbs. Being an inclusive and holistic health center, their goal is to provide a variety of healthcare services to everyone in the community regardless of race, background, and immigration or insurance status.
As a result of the organization’s availability and welcoming environment, patients from a wide range of socioeconomic statuses seek their care. With this in mind, many families who bring their kids into the clinic this winter may struggle to provide gifts for Christmas or Hanukkah.
In hopes of spreading holiday cheer and helping parents who find themselves in this difficult position, Tapestry 360 Health has found a
solution. Over the last few years, the clinic has organized and promoted an annual Holiday Toy Drive, which is open for donations from November 6th to December 13th.
“We have boxes at the clinic where people can donate brand new toys for us to give to our patients,” Community Outreach Coordinator Zinah Kadhim (41) said. “I’ve been doing this for almost four years, and each year, we get like 700 toys.”
Since the beginning of the toy drive, Tapestry 360 Health has found more ways to spread the word and ensure every child gets a toy for the holidays.
“We created a wish list from Amazon and put the link on our social media and flyers. We also have a budget to go to Walmart, Target, or Five Below to get more toys,” Kadhim said.
Although the Chicago community has played a significant role in making the toy drive a success, it would not have been possible without the generosity of local businesses.
Community Outreach Coordinator Natalia Paredes Tamayo (23) said, “We contacted [business] partners and asked if they wanted to be collection sites. This year, we have the Rogers Park Business Alliance, the North River Commission in Albany Park, and the Edgebrook Covenant Church in Skokie.”
With the immense support from the community, Tapestry 360 Health has been able to relieve stress from struggling families and allow them to focus on more important things.
“There’s a lot of struggles out there in the community right now and people are trying to pick up the pieces again from the COVID pandemic,” Tamayo said. “It’s expensive to buy toys, you know, so it’s a really good way to give back to the community. That way these families can spend their money on things that they actually need.”
In addition to the positive impact this organization has had on the children, their families, and the community, many staff members at Tapestry 360 Health have also been touched by the joy of the drive.
“I think it’s just so beautiful that we’re able to provide holiday cheer for our pediatric patients who may not experience Christmas or whose family may not have the means to buy Christmas or holiday gifts,” Director of Market and Communications, Raven Hibbler (29), said. “I just hope that we’re able to brighten someone’s day with the toy drive.”
For more information on the Rogers Park drop-off location or how to donate for future holidays, go to: https://tap360health.org/spreading-holiday-cheer-join-our-toy-drive-for-pediatric-patients/
