Lora Lantgen of River Grove said she and her husband want to help others who are struggling during the holiday season.
“We’re blessed, and I want to be able to bless somebody else,” she said.
Lantgen, along with other River Grove residents, participated in the Santa Stop Food Drive on Dec. 9. The River Grove Fire Department holds the event to collect food for the River Grove pantry.
“We’ve been doing this on and off for 15 years,” Fire Chief Larry LaRiviere said.
LaRiviere explained the fire department made 10 different stops throughout the River Grove area for those who signed up. Santa Claus, along with River Grove firefighters, arrived at those locations in a fire truck. The families donated nonperishable items to the food pantry and got a picture with Santa.
By the end of the day, the River Grove Fire Department usually collects 40 or 50 bags of food for the pantry, LaRiviere said.
“These are families that want to do charitable things for those in need,” LaRiviere said.
The day began at Quasthoff’s Flowers, with several families in attendance. The fire department then made its way down Davisson Street. Lantgen lives on Davisson Street and has two sons, 3-year-old Chase and 2-year-old Caleb. She said both of her sons enjoyed taking a picture with Santa.
“This is the first time we’ve done this,” she said. “If there’s anything we can do to help other families that are struggling, we want to help.”
“For Christmas, I want a helicopter,” Chase Lantgen said. “What I like most about this time of year is the snow.”
Lantgen said she donated some canned good and snacks, as well as pasta because she’s Italian and soup because it’s wintertime.
River Grove Trustee Michelle Obaya also lives on Davisson, and she invited her family from around the Chicago area to join in.
“My great-nieces and nephews come from Chicago and as far as Roselle,” she said. “It was a whole weekend event for them. They spent the night at my house last night.”
Obaya said she began the tradition of participating in the Santa Stop Food Drive when her children were young, and she wants to carry on the cheer.
More Top Picks Best Blue Light Glasses For Computer Use
“I love giving back to the community,” she said. “It’s a great cause. It’s the season of giving.”
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.