It’s been a busy week for Barrington’s Gadbois family after they announced they’d be collecting donations to bring to Washington, Illinois tomorrow to help families who lost their homes during last Sunday’s tornadoes. Their garage is packed with donations received from the community this week and neighbors are at their home sorting and boxing items as we speak to prepare for tomorrow’s trip.
One of those neighbors, Melissa Buckley, says there is much to be packed. “We have received many used and new clothes, a lot of cleaning supplies, paper towels and things they can use as they’re cleaning up what’s left. We have some toys and food, a lot of canned goods and linens. I think we have a very generous community and it’s just a great example of how a community like ours can pull together and help others.”
In addition to donations from individuals, the Gadbois family received a generous toy donation this week from Learning Express Toys in Lake Zurich.
And kids in the community have stepped up in their own way. Two boys, John and Connor Reilly, decided to gather and donate their hefty stash of this year’s Halloween candy. They bagged it into Ziploc sandwich bags for families in Washington to enjoy.
If you’d like to make a contribution, they say space might be tight at this point for additional clothes, food and supplies. But you can still make a cash donation or drop off Wal Mart or VISA gift cards which the Gadbois family will bring with them to Washington when they leave first thing tomorrow.
Just drop off your monetary or Wal Mart or VISA gift card donation at the Gadbois’ home at 105 Old Mill Road on the south side of Fox Point in Barrington and give it to one of the volunteers there preparing for tomorrow’s trip.
