Dreams for Kids Hosts 21st Annual Global Holiday for Hope for Homeless Kids

Chiro One Wellness Centers joins the effort with 5th Annual Giving Tree Gift Drive, collecting over 1,500 gifts for needy kids in Chicago

Oak Brook, IL-December 19, 2010-Dreams for Kids, international children’s charity joins community groups, including Oak Brook based Chiro One Wellness Centers, to host 1,000 homeless kids in Chicago, 700 in Washington DC, 800 in Atlanta, and thousands more in over 30 countries around the world. Every guest agrees to pay it forward and serve others in their community after the event.

Holiday for Hope, Dreams for Kids global holiday celebration for homeless and at-risk children, was hosted by community groups in 30 countries throughout the month of December.

The event was held in Chicago on December 18, 2010 from 10 to 4 pm at IBEW Local #134, 600 W Washington, and in Washington DC at Armour J. Blackburn Center at Howard University and brought over 1,000 homeless and at-risk children from across communities in Illinois, from Peoria to Cabrini Green in Chicago, and over 700 in the DC area, for a day of hope and empowerment. Special guests in Chicago included Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, and Clara Kirk, Founder of Clara’s House Shelter. Barbara Lawless from Southside Mission was also in attendance.

Jesse White, Illinois’ Secretary of State and founder of Jesse White Tumblers has been a faithful supporter of Dreams for Kids for over 5 years. White created the Jesse White Tumblers team in 1959 as a juvenile delinquency prevention program. Having lived near the Cabrini-Green projects, Jesse had a vision of bringing children from across the state to Dreams for Kids' Holiday for Hope program so that they could experience the joy of the holiday season. Each year, White fills buses with hundreds of kids that otherwise my not receive a holiday gift. White’s support of Dreams for Kids continues his legacy.

Kids were greeted by choirs and treated to games, crafts, magicians, face painters, music, food from over 30 area restaurants, and a shopping bag filled from 4,000 toys donated by the community including, Chicago Blackhawks fans, Willis Tower, Trisect, Akoo, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Chapman and Cutler, and many more. Chiro One Wellness Centers led the charge, collecting over 1,500 gifts, valued at over $65,000 to give to children in need at the event.

"Chiro One Wellness Centers is absolutely honored to once again serve the children in the communities that support us," states Brett Penager, Chief Marketing Officer, Chiro One Wellness Centers. "Our Vision, that every human being discovers their full potential, includes those that are under our care and those that aren't. Every human being means just that...everyone. Our fifth annual Giving Tree Gift Drive, our second year supporting Dreams for Kids, is one of the many ways that we are committed to using our resources to accomplish this goal."

The kids who attend have committed to “pay it forward” by serving their community in various ways after the event.

Also participating is Southside Mission, Peoria’s oldest rescue mission, serving the poor since 1925. Southside Mission brought in two busloads of about 90 kids and has been a Dreams for Kids Program Partner for over 10 years. “The party will be the highlight of their year,” states Southside Mission representative, Barbara Lawless. “Not only do the kids get to go on a charter bus to the big city, but they get gifts, too! It’s a great day for the kids and the volunteers.”

The event began on Christmas Eve, 1989 on the Southside of Chicago at Clara’s House Shelter in the Englewood. It was the beginning of the Dreams for Kids organization, a registered 501 (c) (3) children’s charity, which has grown to become an international youth empowerment organization with an East Coast chapter located in Washington DC and projects in several cities across the US and in several countries around the world.

The history of the organization was captured in a critically acclaimed book written by the organizations founder, Tom Tuohy, titled Dreams for Kids, Changing the World One Person at a Time. For further information, visit DreamsForKids.org.

About Chiro One Wellness Centers

Each year, Chiro One Wellness Centers unite to host their ‘Giving Tree Gift Drive’ in December. Spanning two states and 58 clinics, Chiro One team members and patients alike join together to brighten the holidays for children in need. Chiro One Wellness Centers serves Chicagoland and Kentucky and offers FREE Wellness Workshops, Seminars and Health Fairs for local businesses, places of worship and civic groups. For more information, visit ChiroOne.net. Chiro One Wellness Centers’ Vision is, “that every human being discovers their full potential.” Their Mission: Being leaders in developing extraordinary wellness for families and individuals by taking a stand for the well being of their communities through education and service. Follow Chiro One on Facebook at Facebook.com/ChiroOne.