November 18, 2020 at 7:08am

Many holiday traditions will need to be adjusted this year. In the past, members of the Northbrook Park District Recreation Division staff have volunteered their time at the holidays to wrap gifts for Youth Services of Glenview-Northbrook. Although this sort of group activity is not possible in 2020, staff members are still doing their part to help this worthwhile local organization.

This year, the Northbrook Park District is showing support in a revised way by hosting a Family Gift and Wrapping Paper drive to benefit Youth Services. Items can be dropped off at the Northbrook Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook through Friday, November 20. The family wish list age limit for this year was reduced to children 18 years old and younger and the organization is looking to also include a household-oriented gift for the families that submitted wish lists for their children. Some of the suggestions include gifts for the home such as candles, blankets, bath sets and family board games. Gift cards are also being accepted to allow the families to select their own gifts.

In addition, due to Covid-19 guidelines the group gift wrapping event had to be canceled so the collection includes wrapping supplies such as paper, boxes, gift bags, bows and tape so the families will be able to wrap their own presents this year.

According to their website, Youth Services of Glenview-Northbrook was founded in 1972 in Glenview and in 1974 in Northbrook as the community’s response to the needs of children. Because both agencies shared the same mission, they merged in 1992. Since that time, Youth Services has grown to offer programs focused on early intervention, intervention and crisis response. Their main goal is to “foster the social and emotional well-being of children and youth.” During a pandemic, this mission becomes more important and more needed than ever.

For more information about this gift and wrapping paper drive, reach out to Performing Arts Manager Erin Sweet at 847-897-6157 or esweet@nbparks.org.