Moms pick up on what's not right. And they do what they can, often going all-out, to make it better.
For months, Olya Dailey, mom of a second grader at Longfellow Elementary and an active member of the school's PTO, has been noticing signs that the tough economic times are hurting more and more parents she knows.
"Vacations are obsolete," Dailey says. "Christmas may be cut in a big way, too. Not so many gifts under the tree. People are uncomfortable because they don't have the money to spend."
Dailey knows firsthand about family holdback in spending on lower-ticket items. She and her husband, Patrick, own and run Eastgate Café on Harrison Street, in the Oak Park Arts District. They're hearing about job losses and unemployment close to home. Regular latte customers are coming in now buying just plain coffee. One mom, Olya Dailey says, bought a small pastry and asked for a knife to share it with her young son and daughter.
"That's our reality," Dailey said. Talking over these worries with her friend Marci Battersby, a president of the PTO at the school on S. Highland, the two women decided they had to do something. They brainstormed to find a way to make single-digit holiday spending go a long way. Their weeks of planning and community outreach will show this weekend, in previously empty shop space at the northwest corner of Harrison and Lombard.
The neighborhood-minded, resourceful moms are turning the holiday ritual of getting a photo taken with Santa - an outing that would take people out of the village and into the area's big-box stores and mega-malls - into a homegrown celebration and fundraiser. And they're organizing it with community spirit aplenty.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, local photographers will volunteer their time to snap those keepsake shots of kids - and grown-ups, too - with Santa Claus, who may be channeled by another local volunteer if the big guy at the North Pole is too consumed with other seasonal preparations. The setting, the decorations, the fixtures, the entertainment - all those details are matters of more local donations.
And the proceeds from the photo sales - $9 a shot ($8 with a canned item for the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry) - will benefit Longfellow school, Whittier Elementary School, at 715 N. Harvey, in Oak Park, and Sarah's Inn, the local shelter for domestic abuse victims, which recently moved to new space in the arts district.
Students from Longfellow are already saying thanks. On pieces of construction paper, they wrote down what they're grateful for this year. Their teachers helped them craft the notes into Gratitude Cranes, which are selling for $3 each at shops along Harrison Street.
"Everyone's working together," says Judy Kleronomos, who's bringing over her own holiday decorations and whose husband, Chris, is donating the shop space. "It's our community and it's our neighborhood." Kleronomos also is opening up other space he owns on Harrison Street for a group of Longfellow moms who are crafters to sell their works.
Pan's Food Center, nearby on Oak Park Avenue, is donating shopping carts to contain and transport the canned goods collected for the food pantry. Fifth Third Bank, at 742 Harrison, is providing stanchions to guide the lines forming for Santa.
Janine Callahan, an interior designer with big downtown jobs on her résumé, is volunteering her time to decorate the shop space where the photos will be taken. For the homey décor, All Types Fireplace & Patio, at 844 Madison in Oak Park, is loaning out fireplace fixtures. Brown Elephant Resale Shop, at 217 Harrison, is providing the Christmas tree. To be sure Santa is comfortable, Sue Buczkowski of Oak Park is loaning a velvet chair. For his guest, Ela Djorvjevich from Wilmette of Elk is loaning a wooden chair.
The photographers are Michelle Lytle, whose sister, Brigette, is a co-owner of Briejo Restaurant across the street, and Steve Olewinski, another professional photographer whom Dailey found through a cold call. Design of the posters promoting the event was done by another volunteer, Nena Drenovac, a graphic designer who's a friend of Dailey's.
After saying cheese with Santa, kids will each get a cookie from Eastgate Café.
Live holiday music will be performed by Family Harmony, the Grosso Family, Aveling, Gigi Wong-Monaco and Eric "Rev" Klemme.
"I'd rather have people stay in Oak Park and visit Santa," Battersby says. "Keeping it local is very important."
While taking calls to arrange last-minute details, Dailey sits back in her café and says confidently: "There is nothing we can't do. It's the community giving back to the community. Yes we can."
