Cheri’s Caring Closet is named after Cheri Gibbs, a recently retired Congress Park Social Worker. Ms. Gibbs has been the embodiment of the district’s commitment to equity during her 25 years of service.
D102 Community Giving
La Grange D102's District Wide Donation Center
Who is Cheri?
What is Cheri's Caring Closet?
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In LaGrange School District 102, we are committed to engaging families and the community by eliminating barriers to access, in particularly those related to culture, socioeconomic status, and language. We commit to identifying equitable practices to improve engagement with all families and diverse community stakeholders.
In support of our vocalized commitment, the district has a new initiative in Cheri’s Caring Closet located at Congress Park Elementary School. It is a physical closet that accepts clothing donations from our communities; with the purpose of providing needed clothing items to D102 students.
Every child should have access to the basic needs of life so that they can focus on their education. Cheri’s Caring Closet will serve those students district-wide who are experiencing socioeconomic challenges and require equitable assistance with obtaining daily necessities. Its overall function is to aid students who are striving to do well academically but need our help to ensure their focus can be on their education and not on meeting their basic needs.
We, as a collective community, value the opportunities to provide a thriving and equitable place to live and learn. Please support Cheri’s Caring Closet by donating lightly used or unused clothing and shoes and or by making a monetary donation to the LaGrange School District 102 Community Fund.
As a community, if we can assist these students with clothing needs to help them keep their focus on education, we will not only be improving the individual lives we touch, but we will also be improving our overall community as these students become contributing members of society.
Please drop off clothing, shoes, coats, undergarments, socks, or hygiene products donations in the donation box outside of Congress Park Elementary School, 9311 Shields Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513, and or donate to the La Grange D102 Community Fund.
If you have additional questions please email, our Family Liaisons, Vanessa Deaton (deatonva@dist102.k12.il.us) or Lupe Del Real (delrealgu@dist102.k12.il.us ).
What clothes can I donate?
Shop Cheri's Closet
Cheri's Caring Closet is a safe space, where the mission is to help as many District 102 families as possible. We have a variety of clothing and shoe items that are waiting to be loved by your family. To help make it easier for our families to voice their needs, we have created this form.
Please complete and answer one form for each student in your family and a member of the Family Liaison Team will be in contact with you.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for some volunteers to help sort and hang items in Cheri's Caring Closet!
Children 5 and over are welcome with adult supervision.
Making a monetary donation
Donate to the Community Fund
The La Grange D102 Community Fund aims to bridge the gap between donated supplies and additional resources needed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Recognizing that some families in our district face economic challenges, we believe in the power of unity and collective support. When you donate, you contribute to a general fund, which would be used to purchase supplies otherwise not donated through Cheri’s Caring Closet. Some examples of how these funds might be used would be to purchase items such as food, clothing, school supplies, beds, etc.