On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the students of Richard J. Daley Academy in the Back of the Yards Neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, had a special visit from the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation volunteers. They held a donation ceremony where they gave students winter clothing before the harsh winter weather set in.
The Need in Chicago
Winter clothing is needed during the harsh winters that the Windy City faces. It can hinder children without it from attending classes because it’s too cold for those who walk to school. These circumstances and lack of winter gear make it hard to endure the winter, leading to increased absenteeism.
Richard J. Daley Academy Principal Dr. Kamilah Hampton states, “A lot of our kids experience homelessness and come from very high-poverty neighborhoods. So, your donation today has truly made a difference in the lives of our kids. Ensuring that they are warm, a lot of our students walk to school, so this is just monumental to our students.”
Community Support
New donated items included winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks. The items were collected from October through November by organizations like the William Everett Group, Kraft Heinz Company, Brookfield Properties, Continental Packaging Inc., Hoekstra Homewood, Universal Beauty, and Algonquin Middle School (District 62). The drive was made possible through partnerships with the Chicago Police Academy and Children First Fund (CFF), the Chicago Public Schools Foundation.
Volunteers were excited to support donation boxes at their workplaces and shared information with friends and family interested in participating. On the day of the ceremony, Chicago police officers and WeLoveU volunteers distributed items to 42 students. The remaining items, totaling more than 960, were provided to the school for distribution.
The WeLoveU Foundation partners with organizations locally and nationwide to support the students at Chicago Public Schools and combat the various issues that prevent their success. As WeLoveU wants to ensure students succeed in school, the winter weather drive was established and is going on its 2nd year. Additional coat donations happened in New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C.
3 thoughts on “The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Donates Winter Clothing to Richard J. Daley Academy in Chicago”
So beautiful! What a very heartwarming event, I’m touched looking at all the photos of the children and seeing the smiles on the volunteers who invested their time, effort and heart to share love with these kids. Their parents must be so happy as well! Great job WeLoveU!
This is totally incredible of WeLoveU to do. Especially seeing as how Chicago winters are rough. It’s good to see the little ones receive so much care and attention.
I always love to see it. Thank you so much We Love U. We appreciate everything your organization does.
I’m very happy to see such a beautiful event to take place in Chicago! Although it seems to be a small act, the love that is given inside can not be measured. Now more students can be warm during such a cold winter and get to school to learn more comfortable. Great job WeLoveU Volunteers!