Charlie's Birthday: Sharing with Those Who Are Hungry
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Charlie Turner delivers food to the Social Service Center he collected for his birthday, a tradition he has continued throughout the years.
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When Charlie turned ten in January 2013, he wanted to have have a party with this friends--but brainstormed with his parents what gifts they could bring. "
I thought I should get something more meaningful because I did not need anything," Charlie says.
When Charlie's birthday party invitations went out, he asked his friends to bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry at the Chicago Lights Social Service Center, rather than a gift for him.
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This just makes me feel happy because I know this is helping people who might not be able to feed themselves," he says. Now fifteen years old, Charlie also requested that his confirmation gifts benefit Chicago Lights this past spring, and he raised nearly $1,000.
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Henry Turner poses with a full trunk-load of bottled water he collected for the Social Service Center.
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Henry Builds a Tower: Birthday Bottled Water
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"My brother started collecting food for his birthday, and then I thought maybe I should do that," says Henry, now almost twelve years old.
To change things up, Henry asked his friends to bring cases of bottled water for the Social Service Center. "My favorite part is seeing how much of a difference I can make. It makes me feel important. It makes my heart feel warm," he says.
Grace's Marathon Run:
Crossing the Finish Line for Chicago Lights
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Grace Turner trained last year and ran her first marathon with Team Chicago Lights.
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Rounding out the Turner children's generosity is C
harlie and Henry's older sister, Grace. Currently a senior at Walter Payton College Prep High School, she completed her first marathon with Team Chicago Lights last fall.
In addition to raising more than $3,800, Grace says running with a team--and training with her dad--made her marathon experience that much better. "It gave me a cause to work for and allowed me to learn more about what Chicago Lights does."
To stay involved with Chicago Lights, Grace has been mentoring a first-grade student in the Tutoring program. "
I'm very grateful to be able to work with her," she says.
Ann and John: Laying a Foundation for Giving
Ann and John Turner both tutored students through Chicago Lights before they had children, and today they give to the organization financially. Ann is also a part of Hope4All, a group of women from Fourth Presbyterian Church that help raise awareness of Chicago Lights and donate funds.
And they continue to support and encourage their children's kind and giving hearts.
"The kids are in control," says Ann. "They choose to not receive gifts for their birthdays and other occasions and instead collect something they can relate to, such as food and water.
John and I believe it has a huge impact on our entire family and our community."
