Spring Newsletter 2026
I want to begin this issue of the newsletter by thanking all of those who have helped us to provide in-kind items through your thought-filled donations. Each item has been faithfully give out to those in need in a timely manner, putting everything to good use.
To date, we have provided over 80 blankets, 185 hats, gloves, and scarves, 120 pairs of briefs, and 250 pairs of socks to those in need. Donations of Coats, clothing, blankets, pillows, bed and bath linen, shoes, and so much more have made a huge difference to those who have now been forced out of shelters.
We continue to work with many other groups and organizations to support the needy in the Elgin area. Some of these are The Crisis Center, Food for Greater Elgin, Street Reach, The Wayside Center, PADS of Elgin, and a local group of business owners who assist those affected by the INS raids. We truly believe that in our connection with other groups, we can meet the needs. Sharing resources and expressing specific shortages helps us to focus on ways to meet each need.
I recently received criticism as to why the address of our organization is a home address. I will now set the record straight. Our total donations received as cash donations were $2500 in total for the year. We spent it on the purchase of gloves, hats, scarves, socks, and underwear for the homeless. All the start-up costs, the website, and overhead for the non-profit came from the pockets of our director and staff. All costs of transportation, shipping, getting the product out, and visitation again came from our staff.
Simply put, every dollar and each item donated in kind has gone to helping those in need. We did not choose to have a proper facility to store or distribute from, as it would take needed funds away from our mission. We have no grant writer to help secure funding. It has all come from groups and individuals who truly have a heart for others, and I can not thank each enough.
We are preparing again to Garden and grow produce for those in need. I am again truly amazed at how much even this small gesture helps others, as we attempt to keep those in need fed.
Our spring food drive is underway, and I hope many of you will find it both a great way to clear your pantry of unused items during your spring cleaning and give generously to help others.
The Samaritan New Years 2026
A year in review. 2025 was our first official year as a fully accredited non for profit. During that time, we began to develop ways to connect with other organizations where our every hope came true, we were able to assist with some of there needs and they with a few of ours. It is great to work with others because we avoid repetition of services and focus on gaps and forgotten needs.
We supplied a ton of fresh produce to both the Greater Elgin Food bank, a few church pantries, and the crisis Center (ladies and children's shelter) which is always in need. We took on Riverside Rehab, a nursing home that took in many of the most needy homeless after the tent city fire, and has continued to provide a permanent dwelling for them in their institutional setting. Several of its residents are individuals we have served from our start and it has opened the doors to so much more.
As a visiting Chaplain, I have been able to truly get to know the needs of those residents from a spiritual as well as supportive role. Many share so much of themselves and their lives with me. Institutional living is difficult at best for many of our residents due to theft, confinement, and lack of privacy and, the contact with people (other than residents ) around them. Spending time one of one with them has provided some comfort, and individual attentions they seek and need. Many have needs for small things we take for granted such as socks, underwear, hats gloves and even blankets. (they get one hospital blanket each.)
For Christmas we were able to see to it that many of these needed items were supplied and each knew they were not forgotten. Our connections lead us to a group of small business owners who are assisting those effected by the INS raids. Many of these families have no or little ability to earn a living at this point due to income reporting (one of the many ways they are found and deported.) While we do not get involved with political issues, these folks have real needs and even the small things make a difference.
Through local posts we connected with two single parents each with five and six children. We were able (through your donations) to provide each child with some clothing, hats, scarves, gloves, blankets and no less than one brand new toy each. The parents received hats, scarves, gloves, a couple of boxes of food staples, and a full Christmas dinner that included a whole turkey, all the sides, and something sweet to finish up the meal. Each gift was wrapped, tagged with their name and ready for the holiday.
Our tally of Bricks...
While many may see us as small and in our early stages, I want to share with you a list of many of the quantity of items we have been able to gather and distribute to those in need this year. Produce included: 35 zip lock bags of cilantro, 40 bags each of rosemary, basil, sage, and other herbs all fresh and ready to use. 45 gallons bags of green beans. A ton of squash, tomatoes, egg plants, both head and leaf lettuce, Lima beans, and so much more. Hand crochet items: include 15 full blankets, 35 scarves, lap blankets, bed rolls, and throws. Purchased items: included soap, wipes, propane tanks, hoodies, gloves, extra scarves, underwear, socks, sandwiches, pop, fruit, to name a few.
How....
none of this would have been possible without the donations we have received, both in kind and via monetary donations. We received a $500 donation from a local Union, a $2000 undisclosed dividend donation, and personal donations from our team allowing us to purchase items in bulk. All of our shipping costs, taxes on purchases, gas for delivering, etc, were all paid for by our ministry team.
I thank each of the above mentioned people from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and support of those in need. I went to purchase yarn for use as we continue to make blankets, throw's, and scarves only to meet a wonderful lady at Hobby Lobby. We had a great conversation and I wound up blessed as she demanded to pay for all of it herself. (almost $200 to show her support of what we do.) Actions: Actions speak louder than words it is said, but it is truly the time spent to and with others that makes the real difference.
Our client family members feel connected with us and that support reminds them that they are not alone and that others care. We can and do make a difference in their lives because we are not simply a hand out, we are a supportive hand up at their personal time of need. By taking those without transportation to the food banks and pantries, we have helped them help themselves and continue their personal independence while promoting their welfare. Gathering and giving needed clothing to individuals and to groups like the Crisis center and YWCA, means your donation of clothing reaches those in need at no cost to anyone.
Donations used to buy plants and seed have fed many and to see the joy on their faces as they receive fresh vegetables and herbs is for me out of this world. We have given over 80 pairs of socks to people who truly needed them. It takes a true need and connection for someone to say and ask for a few pairs of underwear, bath soap, etc. If we did not take the time to get to know them, we'd not even know these needs exist. Many of those who reached out to us this year in need, are still in our care or visited by us and are truly a part of our client family. Our personal friends and supporters have helped us create and maintain the garden spaces with a shelter and gazebo (personally purchased by our staff) and are a constant source of encouragement as we strive to make a difference.
While we seek to meet the needs of others and grow, financial funding is still needed. We truly pray for someone gifted in the area of raising funds and grant writing to assist us as we move forward. We would like to provide meals for those in need (many have no means of cooking) summer meals of children and youth, a cooling / heating day center and so much more.
Being houseless or poor often means no place or funds to wash clothing. As a result there is a lot of waste in this area. People simply will not wear worn or dirty clothing. If we had a day center and had a few washers and dryers, resources would see much less waste. (not to mention what clean cloths means to each of them personally) Goals this year: our goals this year include continuing to meet the needs as we have this past year, while adding the ability to provide a few meals as needed by so many.
Some of our clients are recovering from hospital stays and providing easy to reheat or cold meals means so much. Being able to give a cup of hot soup and sandwich to someone when they need it is such a blessing.
We would love to be able to supply a pop up meal and distribute needed items from a trailer. To do this we need both a vehicle with a hitch and a trailer. This is a major goal this year. Many of the most needy people that are homeless / houseless have moved to the Aura and St Charles areas and what provisions these towns have for them is strained at best. We by the grace of God and your help would be able to use our pop up system to assist in meeting these needs.
We pray for you our friends, supporters, and followers, your support and prayers mean so much to us. We at Open Hand Elgin are excited for what blessings this new year will bring to all of those in need through the work done at Open Hand Elgin.
In Humble Service
Rev. Paul Laws
CEO Open Hand Elgin.