Barrington Giving Day Memorable for Families, Volunteers

The spontaneous hugs warmed Dee Miller’s heart.

“They’ve been giving me hugs all day,” she said. “It was sweet, I loved it.”

Miller volunteered at Barrington Giving Day’s Back to School event at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington where she helped families sort through piles of clothing and shoes to pick out for school.

Everyone she helped was grateful, said Miller, who volunteered through the Noon Rotary Club of Barrington. Her husband is a member of the club.

Barrington Giving Day worked with St. Matthew to provide shoes and an outfit for 270 Barrington Community Unit School District 220 families who are part of the free or reduced lunch program. Donations poured in from schools, churches and organizations over the last few months resulting in more than 3,000 pieces of clothing.

The Back to School event was held Saturday at the church, where families began arriving and forming a line at 5:30 a.m. Community Meal provided a hot dog lunch and other organizations, like Smart Farms, were on hand to help families with everything from getting fresh produce to financial advice.

Volunteers became personal shoppers, guiding families through the gym lined with tables piled high with jeans, sweaters, shirts, dresses and shoes. Barrington Giving Day received a grant from Barrington Area Community Foundation and purchased 700 shoes for families.

The volunteers

Toni, who declined to use her last name, spent Friday night setting up then arrived early Saturday to volunteer with her son.

She wanted to volunteer her time because she has received help from Barrington Giving Day in the past. Toni is currently homeless after losing her Carpentersville home. Yet, she wanted to come to help out with the Back to School event.

Toni knew how families felt as they arrived to pick out items for their children. “A lot (of families) are grateful, really grateful,” she said.

“They were all happy,” Toni said. “They were surprised that a lot of stuff was nice, some had price tags on them. The kids liked it, too.”

Volunteers Courtney Douglas and her student, Kelsy Kurfirst, were able to see firsthand how thankful families were for the help. Douglas, a Spanish teacher, talked with families waiting in line while Kurfirst was a personal shopper.

Chris Nevarez was another personal shopper. He volunteered last December on Giving Day. He finds the experience humbling.

“They always say thank you. It feels great to have people say thank you,” the Barrington High School sophomore said.

Sue Mullen, who works with St. Matthew’s and coordinated the event with Barrington Giving Day, was happy to see the smiling faces Saturday.

“I wish we had more families, I’d like to serve more,” she said.

Mullen hopes to have the chance to help more people next year.

“We are making a commitment with Barrington Giving Day to keep having this day,” Mullen said.