Post by title1parent on Jul 31, 2008 8:19:28 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/foxvalleysun/sports/1080227,2_6_5_FV31_SOSA_S1.article
Waubonsie's 'present guy' delivers for families
July 31, 2008 FV Sun
Madelyn was flabbergasted by the attention she was receiving. Laid out on the circular table in front of her were gifts wrapped in paper adorned with Bratz -- her favorite dolls.
Madelyn turned 10 on July 10, and a dozen or so friends and family members serenaded her with a gleeful rendition of "Happy Birthday."
Disguised in the wrapping paper were the exact gifts she wanted, though it took her a few minutes to make that discovery. After some gentle coaxing from her mother, Alma, Madelyn let her guard down, allowing herself to believe someone thought enough to make her wishes come true.
Such luxuries sometimes lie beyond belief when your family is homeless.
Madelyn and her family, which includes her mother, two sisters and brother, are trying to get back on their feet with the assistance of Hesed House, an Aurora shelter. But for at least a short time last week, there was no need for Madelyn to dwell on what was missing in her life.
Knowing her day was wrapped in joy was sufficient thanks for Ryan Russell, the benefactor whose brainchild makes sunshine-filled moments possible for kids like Madelyn.
Idea becomes airborne
Russell, a 16-year-old Waubonsie Valley student, is known at Hesed House as "the present guy." The Warriors golfer had a stroke of inspiration while flying home from a holiday trip in late 2006.
"It was right after Christmas, (and) everyone's out there with the (Salvation Army) bells and everything," said Ryan, who was on the flight with his mother, Cindy. "I guess Christmas is the giving season, but who's to say that's the only time we should give back to the community?
"We just kind of thought about it and we said, well, how do (homeless children) celebrate a birthday?"
Upon learning the shelter had no full-time program dedicated to that purpose, Russell, an Aurora resident, hatched Birthday Presence in April 2007. Dozens of homeless children have had happier birthdays ever since.
"I'll admit I was a little skeptical that this would be an ongoing thing, so I'm just thrilled to see it still going on now, months and months and months and months later," said Ryan Dowd, Hesed House executive director. "In terms of birthdays, that's kind of the forgotten celebration for kids."
That a high school junior is spearheading the parties is all the more impressive.
"It's just phenomenal that here's a teenager that should be worried about his own cell phone and what kind of clothes he's wearing and gas for his car and all that kind of stuff," Dowd said. "Instead, what's he worrying about? He's worrying about (making sure) that homeless kids have a present for their birthdays. That just makes it so much more special."
Having their cake, too
About the same time Russell approached Hesed House with his idea, Aurora resident Joyce Counihan had a similar surge of conscience.
"I took a couple of cake decorating classes with a friend because we wanted to do more elaborate cakes for our kids' birthdays," said Counihan, 34. "I don't really have anyone else to bake for, but I wanted to keep making cakes, so it just occurred to me one time I can make them and donate them - but to whom?"
The stay-at-home mom, who grew up in Naperville, contacted Hesed House, which salivated at her proposal.
"I think when people make donations to the places like Hesed House, they don't necessarily think of treats," said Counihan, 34. "You think of what they need, not something simple like a birthday cake, (something) that my kids expect because it's a normal part of a birthday celebration to us."
Before long her efforts were paired with Russell's to create even sweeter moments for the shelter's young residents. Last week, Madelyn's party was topped off with - what else? - a Bratz cake.
Growing presence
Russell can hardly look you in the eye when asked how it feels to reach out to the community.
"I was very pleased," he said after Madelyn's party, though pride was barely detectable. He normally is not on hand for the celebrations. "It was really nice just seeing her being able to open those presents. The parents are also very, very appreciative. It's just really nice, a good setup."
He has no staff to lean on; it's up to him to raise funds and shop for the presents. It doesn't stop there, either. Russell has informational packets for anyone who wants to start a Birthday Presence chapter. He and his mother recently flew to Denver to consult with organizers at a shelter in that city.
"Talk about a little social entrepreneur," Dowd said. "It's not good enough for him just to save the world in Aurora, he's got to do that in Colorado, too. How cool is that?"
Eventually, Russell's good tidings may know no bounds.
Waubonsie's 'present guy' delivers for families
July 31, 2008 FV Sun
Madelyn was flabbergasted by the attention she was receiving. Laid out on the circular table in front of her were gifts wrapped in paper adorned with Bratz -- her favorite dolls.
Madelyn turned 10 on July 10, and a dozen or so friends and family members serenaded her with a gleeful rendition of "Happy Birthday."
Disguised in the wrapping paper were the exact gifts she wanted, though it took her a few minutes to make that discovery. After some gentle coaxing from her mother, Alma, Madelyn let her guard down, allowing herself to believe someone thought enough to make her wishes come true.
Such luxuries sometimes lie beyond belief when your family is homeless.
Madelyn and her family, which includes her mother, two sisters and brother, are trying to get back on their feet with the assistance of Hesed House, an Aurora shelter. But for at least a short time last week, there was no need for Madelyn to dwell on what was missing in her life.
Knowing her day was wrapped in joy was sufficient thanks for Ryan Russell, the benefactor whose brainchild makes sunshine-filled moments possible for kids like Madelyn.
Idea becomes airborne
Russell, a 16-year-old Waubonsie Valley student, is known at Hesed House as "the present guy." The Warriors golfer had a stroke of inspiration while flying home from a holiday trip in late 2006.
"It was right after Christmas, (and) everyone's out there with the (Salvation Army) bells and everything," said Ryan, who was on the flight with his mother, Cindy. "I guess Christmas is the giving season, but who's to say that's the only time we should give back to the community?
"We just kind of thought about it and we said, well, how do (homeless children) celebrate a birthday?"
Upon learning the shelter had no full-time program dedicated to that purpose, Russell, an Aurora resident, hatched Birthday Presence in April 2007. Dozens of homeless children have had happier birthdays ever since.
"I'll admit I was a little skeptical that this would be an ongoing thing, so I'm just thrilled to see it still going on now, months and months and months and months later," said Ryan Dowd, Hesed House executive director. "In terms of birthdays, that's kind of the forgotten celebration for kids."
That a high school junior is spearheading the parties is all the more impressive.
"It's just phenomenal that here's a teenager that should be worried about his own cell phone and what kind of clothes he's wearing and gas for his car and all that kind of stuff," Dowd said. "Instead, what's he worrying about? He's worrying about (making sure) that homeless kids have a present for their birthdays. That just makes it so much more special."
Having their cake, too
About the same time Russell approached Hesed House with his idea, Aurora resident Joyce Counihan had a similar surge of conscience.
"I took a couple of cake decorating classes with a friend because we wanted to do more elaborate cakes for our kids' birthdays," said Counihan, 34. "I don't really have anyone else to bake for, but I wanted to keep making cakes, so it just occurred to me one time I can make them and donate them - but to whom?"
The stay-at-home mom, who grew up in Naperville, contacted Hesed House, which salivated at her proposal.
"I think when people make donations to the places like Hesed House, they don't necessarily think of treats," said Counihan, 34. "You think of what they need, not something simple like a birthday cake, (something) that my kids expect because it's a normal part of a birthday celebration to us."
Before long her efforts were paired with Russell's to create even sweeter moments for the shelter's young residents. Last week, Madelyn's party was topped off with - what else? - a Bratz cake.
Growing presence
Russell can hardly look you in the eye when asked how it feels to reach out to the community.
"I was very pleased," he said after Madelyn's party, though pride was barely detectable. He normally is not on hand for the celebrations. "It was really nice just seeing her being able to open those presents. The parents are also very, very appreciative. It's just really nice, a good setup."
He has no staff to lean on; it's up to him to raise funds and shop for the presents. It doesn't stop there, either. Russell has informational packets for anyone who wants to start a Birthday Presence chapter. He and his mother recently flew to Denver to consult with organizers at a shelter in that city.
"Talk about a little social entrepreneur," Dowd said. "It's not good enough for him just to save the world in Aurora, he's got to do that in Colorado, too. How cool is that?"
Eventually, Russell's good tidings may know no bounds.