A Call To Service

New Lenox “ShareFest 2012” will be our sixth consecutive year.  Over the years some of the ShareFest Committee members have changed but the passion to reach out and help others in need has not.  Regardless of one’s background or beliefs, there is common ground when it comes to service to others.  ShareFest is “Eleven Days of Giving”.  It’s a time where many choose to unite in compassionate community service.  It’s a time from September 1st-11th where we gather together and demonstrate love for our neighbors in need. It’s a time of action. It’s a time to instill the value of making a positive impact on our environment.  It’s a time where we gather as a community and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of others.  The ShareFest Committee believes that when citizens experience the joy of giving through “ShareFest,” they begin to understand the importance of the impact.   Once they understand it, they make the choice to do it over and over again. 

I recently had the privilege of working with Dan Martin, Public Safety Division Chief for New Lenox, on a project that involved writing a document relating to the “Eleven Days of Giving” in ShareFest 2011. The ShareFest 2012 Committee hopes you will find the information below to be an encouragement to volunteer for this year’s event.

 Volunteers working 565 separate two hour shifts completed 1190 hours of service for others

5,521 people were impacted through this festival of sharing love to our neighbor.

70 partner organizations participated in ShareFest

Angela’s Mission- 1200 soldiers were supplied with items for daily living

Book Drive- 5293 books were exchanged and reused by local schools, hospitals, families and non- profits.

Clothing- 3,750 free clothing items were given to local families

Environmental Impact projects- 56 volunteers worked to improve our public areas.  

Food Drive – 8,796 food items were collected and distributed to local food pantries to feed 742 families.

Health /Safety Fair- 200 attendees

Home Goods- 8,000 lbs. of goods were donated to Goodwill

 Job Fair/Career Service Day- 75 people were educated and connected to employers

In 6 hours of time 52,225 lbs. of household hazardous waste, electronics, scrap metal and Styrofoam were collected. That’s 8,704 lbs/hour and 145 lbs/minute.

Service Projects- 110 volunteers completed 22 fix-up/clean-up projects for those in need

Cash Donations- $1310 - $310 collected for the food pantries and $1000 was used to purchase material for service projects

Value of funds raised, local government contributions, in-kind services, donated materials and in-kind services - $113,000

The “ShareFest Committee” will be responsible for continuing the event.  We continue to move forward.  Each year the number of citizens with helping hands and kind hearts has increased.  New Lenox School District 122 has agreed to allow the use of Spencer Campus for the Saturday September 8th “Main Event”.  New Lenox Township and Will County Land Use have an intergovernmental agreement for another Household Hazardous Waste event for “ShareFest 2012.”  Our plans are to make this an annual recycling event.  This year we are expanding to host a recycling-themed art fair, live music and an expanded Health and Safety Fair, and including organizations that will present environmental impact education.   Our collection drives have increased by a minimum of twenty-five percent each year.  As we move forward with the goal of meeting the deepest needs of the community, our plan is to continue to service those in need while providing others with the opportunity to pay it forward.  If you would like to be part of ShareFest 2012, please contact us at 815-717-2614.

Email:   info@sharefestnewlenox.com

Web:   www.ShareFestNewLenox.com

facebook : www.facebook.com/sharefest.newlenox