News|Holidays generate helping hand

The holidays usually bring the best out of people. That is why Helping Hand, a local organization that provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, sent out its annual appeal to the 5,000 members of its mailing list. Sue Tutt-Parsons, Senior Development Consultant, said that the organization received a response from the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce with the donation of 8 computers for Helping Hand’s computer lab. Tutt-Parsons said that the computers help the organization’s clients achieve another level of independence. Helping Hand in Countryside serves more than 100 children and 400 adult clients. Tutt-Parsons said that for some of the clients it is a whole new world and an opportunity. One of the organization’s clients had not even seen a computer before but now she has one attached to her wheelchair and uses it to communicate with her mother. Tutt-Parsons said that this particular client was non-verbal. The organization is celebrating its 51st year in operation and is planning an event this holiday season which will allow its clients to participate in the “joy and necessity of giving” by collecting and purchasing products for another organization. Clients at Helping Hand will buy products like coffee, socks and other necessities which will then be donated to the BEDS organization located in La Grange. Helping Hand has several locations in the suburbs besides the location in Countryside. Helping Hand also has a light packing and assembly company in La Grange where clients work with nondevelopmentally disabled individuals very successfully. They also have ten residential homes in the suburbs a facility for clients with cerebral palsy and a school for kids with autism. Tutt-Parsons said that the organization will hold a fundraiser at the Cultural Center in downtown Chicago on February 10, 2007. The fundraiser includes dinner and dancing. Anybody wishing to attend can contact Sue Tutt-Parsons at (708) 352-3580 ext. 228. Helping Hand is located at 9649 W. 55th St. in Countryside.