How It All Started
In the years leading up to the 1980s, the American Red Cross played an important role in supporting families in the Glasford, Mapleton, and Kingston Mines area by distributing food and essential items.
Around 1984, local residents of the Illini Bluffs district began taking that mission into their own hands. Rather than waiting for outside help, neighbors, churches, and clubs came together under the name “We Care.” They collected food, packed baskets, and gave them to families in need. It was a small effort at first, but one built on compassion and a strong sense of community.
By the late 1980s, the project had become known as the Community Christmas Basket Fund, uniting the towns of Glasford, Mapleton, and Kingston Mines in a shared mission of generosity. What began with a few volunteers grew into a coordinated outreach involving schools, local churches, businesses, and families who wanted to make sure no one was forgotten at Christmas. Those early “We Care” efforts eventually became IB Christmas HOPE, a program still driven by neighbors helping neighbors.
Around 1984, local residents of the Illini Bluffs district began taking that mission into their own hands. Rather than waiting for outside help, neighbors, churches, and clubs came together under the name “We Care.” They collected food, packed baskets, and gave them to families in need. It was a small effort at first, but one built on compassion and a strong sense of community.
By the late 1980s, the project had become known as the Community Christmas Basket Fund, uniting the towns of Glasford, Mapleton, and Kingston Mines in a shared mission of generosity. What began with a few volunteers grew into a coordinated outreach involving schools, local churches, businesses, and families who wanted to make sure no one was forgotten at Christmas. Those early “We Care” efforts eventually became IB Christmas HOPE, a program still driven by neighbors helping neighbors.
What We Do Today
Today, IB Christmas HOPE continues that same spirit of care and generosity. Each year, throughout November and December, the Illini Bluffs students, churches, and community come together to ensure that the elderly, shut-ins, and families in need all feel remembered and cared for at Christmastime.
Local churches, including St. Peter’s Lutheran, Glasford Baptist, Glasford United Methodist, Kingston Mines Methodist Church and others, partner in collecting food, gifts, organizing volunteers, and delivering items to those who need them most.
None of this would be possible without our generous and proud community. Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour, and every can of food reflects the same heart that began this mission back in 1984, a community coming together each November and December to share hope, dignity, and love at Christmastime.
- Elderly Outreach: Each year, we mail Christmas cards to elderly residents who were once part of the Illini Bluffs School District, including those now living in senior living communities, reminding them that they are still a valued part of this community.
- Shut-In Support: We provide Activity Bags filled with word puzzles, snacks, and small gifts to shut-ins throughout the community, a small reminder that they are seen, valued, and loved.
- Community Food Baskets: We assemble and distribute food baskets for families in need, with this year’s pickup scheduled for Saturday, December 13th. Each basket includes a variety of essential food items.
Local churches, including St. Peter’s Lutheran, Glasford Baptist, Glasford United Methodist, Kingston Mines Methodist Church and others, partner in collecting food, gifts, organizing volunteers, and delivering items to those who need them most.
None of this would be possible without our generous and proud community. Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour, and every can of food reflects the same heart that began this mission back in 1984, a community coming together each November and December to share hope, dignity, and love at Christmastime.