News: Illinois

Quad Cities Winnies
Local Chapter
By Deb Witt

On Dec. 7, 2011 the Quad Cities Winnies met at the local Toys for Tots distribution center. We have done this a number of years and it is an enjoyable time filling the bags for needy families. It is also nice to give back to the community in this effort. After our work was finished, we gathered at Dannie and Judy Shryack's home for our yearly Christmas party. We ate a few appetizers, socialized, and had our meeting before we had our potluck dinner. We had 26 members present for this meeting plus four guests. As a group we decide which charities we will make donations to with our funds. This year we are sending money to families of soldiers, St. Vincent DePaul, Hope Lodge, and the Church United food pantry. Our meeting closed and in a blink of the eye, as quick as a wink, Santa appeared and had gifts for all. We all received homemade bread, a bag of chocolate toffee, and a homemade sponge/scraper! Some of the group even sat on Santa's lap!

By the time we had all finished eating, we all seemed to know where everyone was going to be for the rest of the winter. Then as we said our goodbyes, all were wished safe travels, along with a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Near.

Windy City Winnies
Local Chapter
By Kathy Hegg

On Dec. 10, 2011, the home of Bob and Laurie Dukes was a very warm and festive setting for the annual Christmas get-together of the Windy City Winnies. The Dukes, along with co-wagonmasters, Chuck and Sue Borchard, worked very hard to prepare a wonderful gathering of around 30 chapter members. The Dukes and Borchards cooked dinner. Chapter members brought a wonderful assortment of appetizers, main course dishes, and desserts. After dinner, we all gathered in the living room by the Christmas tree to exchange grab-bag presents. Mary Genaze read two thank you notes sent to our club from organizations to which we had donated food and pillows. It was truly an enjoyable time of getting together with so many of our chapter members.

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers