CHICAGO— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chicago Field Office (CFO) is helping those less fortunate this spring. CFO had boxes set up on several floors for employees to drop off gently worn items to support WINGS Program Inc.
Since the beginning of March, people have been asked to donate gently used children’s, women’s and men’s casual to formal clothing, designer and boutique clothing, purses, shoes, jewelry, outerwear and accessories. These items will then be taken to three different resale stores in north and northwest Illinois. The proceeds from these stores are used to provide housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to end domestic violence in Illinois.
“This is the first year we have worked with WINGS,” said drive coordinator and Trade Operations Specialist Kathy Bartochowski. “We wanted to do something at the office that supported Women’s History Month and WINGS was a logical choice. This organization is trying to end domestic violence, and we thought by holding the clothing drive we can do our part to help them achieve this goal.”
WINGS Program has been around for more than 20 years, and is the largest domestic violence housing agency in Illinois, providing shelter to 258 people per night. WINGS started as a church group and is continuing to grow, opening a store in downtown Chicago in about six months.
“This drive will help out people that may be at the worst time in their lives,” said David Kahan, WINGS Chief Operating Officer. “A mother and her kids may show up at a safe house at three in the morning with nothing but their clothes on their back.”
All of the items in the stores are donated, and 100% of the profits go back to the families and help the operating costs of the program. WINGS continues to help these families ensuring they are provided clothes and other necessary needs to get their life back together.
“There is a big need in today’s society and this is a way I can contribute,” said Elma Yaccino Trade Operations Specialist. “I didn’t have to think twice about donating. It is going to help someone who will benefit from the donation.”
WINGS’ goal is to provide the tools and support necessary to ensure that survivors can escape their abusers and begin building new, violence-free lives. By CFO hosting a donation drive to benefit WINGS, it will help stock the WINGS Agency with needed clothing and accessories. On a daily basis, WINGS provides clothing, furniture and housewares to their clients as needed.
