WIRC Reopens Project Santa Applications for a Limited Time

Share

The holiday season can be an especially stressful time for lower income families who are doing their best to make ends meet. The colder winter weather, combined with their already existing financial issues, can lead to holidays filled with uncertainty instead of celebration. That is why local nonprofit Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) offers a holiday social service program called Project Santa. As of September 12, 2022, applications for the popular program are now open for a limited time.

Since 1983, the mission of WIRC’s Project Santa program has been to provide a happy holiday full of gifts, food and clothing to children of income-eligible families in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough and Warren counties in Illinois. On average, $100 is spent on clothing and gifts for each child, and each enrolled family receives a holiday meal to prepare at home, wrapping paper, and wrapping supplies. Funding for Project Santa mostly comes from generous community donations, with the remainder supplemented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Roger Pavey, WIRC’s Executive Director, says the program supports the emotional well-being of the children and parents. “Project Santa is about holiday cheer, but it’s also a recognition that every child should feel valued during the holidays, and that every parent should feel supported in expressing love to their children,” said Pavey.

WIRC Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth says the program is not just about presents. “Project Santa gives children comfort and joy around the holiday season. While they do receive some toys, our team also tries to get them things like blankets and warm winter clothing that they can proudly call their own,” said Roth.

To qualify, families must meet the following four criteria: they live in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, or Warren counties; their household did not get help from Project Santa in 2020 or 2021; their household is not simultaneously enrolled in another holiday gift program; and their household’s gross monthly income is within the program’s limits.

Program officials say the income limits for 2022 are generous for the region, and are set at 200% of the federal poverty level guidelines. In a 30-day period, a household’s gross total income cannot exceed the following amounts: $3,052 per month for a two-person household; $3,838 per month for a three-person household; $4,625 per month for a four-person household; $5,412 per month for a five-person household; and $6,198 per month for a six-person household. For households of seven people or more, please contact WIRC at 309-837-2997 or visit wirpc.org/projectsanta/ to check eligibility.

Families can apply in one of three ways: through an online form at wirpc.org/projectsanta/; by calling WIRC at 309-837-2997; or by returning a paper application form to WIRC, 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois 61455.

The deadline for priority consideration is 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2022.

***Courtesy of WIRC-CAA***

Spread the word

Trending Now

Featured News Podcasts

Subscribe to our Community Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Choose a Category

Continue Reading

Watch Out for Scams this Tax Season!

As another tax season has arrived, Monmouth Police Department Investigator Josh Kramer reminds taxpayers to be on the lookout for those IRS scam letters: “They will be claiming that you