Chicago Cares Celebration of Service

Each year Chicago Cares sends thousands of volunteers throughout the city to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s memory. This year, 17 volunteers spent their Saturday at CCIL participating in the Chicago Cares Celebration of Service.

Children in CCIL’s family program were treated to an “Around the World” multicultural fair meant to further Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. The children made a craft or learned a game from seven different countries. Japanese origami and Guatemalan “worry dolls” were two of the children’s favorites.

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wiens comments, “The kids had a wonderful time learning about different cultures. They now have a common interest with children from all over the world, whether it is origami or mancala. It’s the start we need to find a common humanity in our overseas neighbors and an important lesson for us to remember at home as well.”