Donations Needed: Thursday is ‘April Food Day’ Across the Region

The annual United Way food donation event will span six counties across northern Illinois.

Within the past five years, local food pantries estimate the need for food and toiletries has more than doubled.  In effort to help combat increasing local hunger, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (UWMC) is hosting a massive food drive Thursday, April 18, to help restock local food pantries across six counties: Cook, Will, Kane, McHenry, DuPage and Lake. That includes the one at Together We Cope. YOUR TURN: Check the UWMC website for a full list of requested items  All are welcome to take part in this regional effort to help those in need. Anyone can drop off donations of non-perishable food or toiletries from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southland dropoff point, Lincoln Mall 208 Lincoln Mall Drive, Matteson, IL 60443. READ: Southland …

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Palos Hills Couple Wins Together We Cope Volunteer Award

Ron and Joanne Shear elected to use their retirement to do good.

A Palos Hills couple who chose to devote their retirement years to volunteer was recently awarded Together We Cope’s Reimer Award, Sun-Times Media reports. Ron and Joanne Shear, who are retired and in their mid-60s, joined up with the Tinley Park-based nonprofit, according to the report. Their volunteer work recognized with the award, which is meant “for volunteers who demonstrate the care and compassion that is the spirit" of the food pantry. Together We Cope has partnered with Patch in the past for food drives and promotion of fundraising efforts.  Join the conversation. Friend Palos Patch on Facebook and sign up for the daily email newsletter!

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Donated Space Gives 'Together We Cope' Room to Grow

Together We Cope will be expanding in the near future, after a supporter donated 3,100 square feet of space. Together We Cope could move into the new space as early as March.

It's a far cry from the garage in which Together We Cope started 31 years ago. The Tinley Park-based nonprofit recently received a generous gift and soon will expand into an additional 3,100 square feet of space, donated by Tinley Park CPA Ray Busch. The new space, located at 17728 Oak Park Avenue, includes office space, a small kitchen area and a large central room that the organization hopes to utilize as administrative offices and client meeting space. Busch chose Together We Cope, he said, because he knew the organization would actually use the space, instead of selling it. The organization's role in the community was also a factor in his decision. “They're doing something worthwhile,” Busch said. “They're feeding the hungry and …

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Together We Cope Provides Christmas for Local Kids in Need

The organization which serves families across the southwest suburbs says need is increasing.

Together We Cope and its Adopt a Child program hopes to create Christmas smiles for nearly 1,800 local children this holiday season. Instead of empty stockings, these children will be able to unwrap gifts given to them by strangers who care. In these ongoing difficult economic times, Together We Cope turns to the communities it serves and asks for help. In turn they help individuals and families in need in four townships: Bremen, Orland, Palos and Worth. The communities they serve include Palos Heights, Palos Park, Palos Hills and 24 other nearby towns. When it comes to the annual gift drive the sponsors have been generous, according to Margaret Seltzner, communications manager at Together We Cope. The Adopt a Child program brings together…

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Over the Top! Together We Cope Has Lots of Friends

Patch and Together We Cope have reached our goal of 350 claimed Patch directory listings in 30 days. We want to thank everyone who helped us!!!

Stores, restaurants, doctor's offices, churches, schools, government offices, a local mosque, bars, financial advisers, movie theaters — in the last four weeks, folks from all walks of life have stepped up and claimed their Patch directory listing on the south suburban Patch network. In the last few days alone, 55 listings were claimed. As of today, we have 377 claimed Patch directory profiles. And if you've been following our crusade, you know that we've reached and exceeded the magic number of 350. That means Together We Cope will become the beneficiary of a free digital promotional campaign — the first advertising campaign in the history of the organization. In March, our staff hit the streets to ask business owners and agency leaders …

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March to 350: We've Got 322 Supporters for Together We Cope

322 signs of support have been logged in our effort to help spread the word for Together We Cope. Can you help us reach 350?

Since last Thursday, 23 more businesses and organizations have signed onto Patch's partnership with Together We Cope to help spread the word about this agency's unique and much-needed mission in the Southland. As of today, we have 322 claimed profiles. When 350 businesses and groups join the cause, Together We Cope will become the beneficiary of a free digital promotional campaign. In March, our staff hit the streets to ask business owners and agency leaders to claim their Patch profile in our local directories. We're aiming for 350 claimed profiles in 31 days. Our campaign continues through the week. Today, we thank the following businesses, schools, houses of worship and organizations for showing their support. If you've ever been a …

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299 Claims and Rising: It's Easy to Support Together We Cope

Look out for our staffers as they go door to door talking to businesses about claiming a free Patch Directory profile and helping Together We Cope. Already, 299 claims of support have been registered.

The owners and operators of 51 local businesses or civic agencies can make a difference for Together We Cope and the Southland this coming week — if they claim their free directory profile on Patch. As of today, we have 299 claimed profiles. When 350 businesses and groups join the cause, Together We Cope will become the beneficiary of a free promotional campaign. In March, our staff hit the streets to ask business owners and agency leaders to claim their Patch profile in our local directories. We're aiming for 350 claimed profiles in 31 days. This is just the beginning of a multi-faceted partnership between Together We Cope and the south suburban Patch network. In the coming months and years, we hope to enlist our growing legion of fans …

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Join Us: 137 Businesses and Agencies Step Up for Together We Cope

Will yours be next? Look out for our staffers as they go door to door talking to businesses about the Patch Directory and Together We Cope.

Don't be left out. Join the 137 businesses, schools, houses of worship and organizations that are helping Patch and Together We Cope spread the word about people in crisis throughout the Southland.  In March, our staff hit the streets to ask business owners and agency leaders to claim their Patch profile in our local directories. We're aiming for 350 claimed profiles in 31 days. Today, we have 137 claimed profiles. When we reach 350, Together We Cope will be able to launch its first-ever advertising campaign.  We thank the following businesses and organizations for showing their support. If you've ever been a customer of theirs or user of their services, please click through and post a review to their Patch listing. Share your voice with …

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63 Businesses and Agencies Step Up for Together We Cope

Will yours be next? Look out for our staffers as they go door to door talking to businesses about the Patch Directory and Together We Cope.

Patch and Together We Cope are partners in a push to spread the word about people in crisis throughout the Southland.  To do that, we've asked businesses and organizations to show their support with a simple gesture. On March 21st, our staff hit the streets to ask business owners and agency leaders to claim their Patch profile in our local directories. We're aiming for 350 claimed profiles in 31 days. Today, we have 63 claimed profiles. When we reach 350, Together We Cope will be able to launch its first-ever advertising campaign.  We thank the following businesses and organizations for showing their support. If you've ever been a customer of theirs or user of their services, please click through and post a review on their Patch listing. …

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Help Together We Cope With a Click of Your Finger

We're on a mission. Patch and Together We Cope are partners in a campaign to raise awareness of the agency's good work helping people in the Southland. Can you lend a hand?