MADISON VILLAGE- The Madison Merchants Group gave away their $500 holiday basket as part of the group’s effort to provide help for Project Hope, Lake County’s homeless shelter. Open House Coffee House manager Todd Roberts said the MMG collected an array of gift certificates and products as an enticement for area residents to either donate cash, canned goods or non-perishable items for the shelter.
"People came into our coffeehouse bringing their donations, then signed up for the drawing on the gift basket, which Jeanne Scott put together with help of many businesses," Roberts said.
The basket winner was Chris Vanek of Madison. Vanek stopped in at the coffeehouse Dec. 10 to receive the basket from members of the committee. It was filled with gift cards, tickets for Rabbit Run Theater shows, specialty gourmet foods, a drawing kit, three-month membership family pass to the local YMCA plus other merchandise.
Vanek was excited to be the winner and helping with the shelter project. Roberts said the merchants in the village each month take on a fund-raiser project for non-profit organizations under the theme of "It Takes a Whole Village."
"We ran the campaign for the shelter from Nov. 1 to Nov. 21. We raised $146 plus lots of donations of canned goods and nonperishable items for the shelter. Monetary donations made up what we called a chain of hope. This is our second year to help out the shelter," Roberts said.
The basket was done up like a picture frame and covered in clear plastic with silver ribbon trim. Vanek said she brought along her daughter, who helped carry out the basket to the family car.
Contributors for the basket project included East End YMCA, Rabbit Run Community Arts Association, Safire Rose Beads ‘N’ Things, Cottonpickers Quilt Shop, Findak Photography, Red Apple Frame & Stitchery, Chapel Florist on Main, Open Door Coffee House, Fine Line Graphics, Hand Made by Bobbi, and Jeanne’s Gift Basket shop.
