Chicago - November 21, 2005

Past, Presents, and Future

826 Chi Nonprofit

Thanksgiving, shmanksgiving.

Everyone knows that Turkey Day really kicks off the gift-giving season.

This year, instead of purses, iPods, and massages, how about giving a little bit of you?

We’ve found just the spot. 826 Chi, the new Chicago outpost of the nonprofit started in San Fran by Dave Eggers, is dedicated to helping kids ages 6 through 18 develop their writing skills. Their Wicker Park shop is just a hop, skip, and a jump from a slew of neighborhood schools and offers afterschool tutoring (from 3 until 5:30 p.m.) and field trips (where kids make their own books) in addition to workshops and in-school programs.

So, in the time-honored tradition of making a list and checking it twice, we asked 826 Chi for their wish list:

1. Volunteers for tutoring and field trips
2. Used eMacs
3. Books suitable for ages 6 to 15
4. Gift certificates (to use as prizes)
5. Catering services for special events (pizza parties are cool)
6. Office supplies (Post-it notes, pens, paper)
7. A resident handyperson
8. Cold hard cash (of course)

Don’t think twice. This is one organization that’s been very, very nice.

826 Chi, 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue, between Wood and Division Streets (773-772-8108 or 826chi.org).