Inside Out Club DuPage spreads cheer during suburbs' coldest months

By mid-January, the winter doldrums have set in. The excitement of the holidays has worn off, and cold, snowy and icy conditions typically make venturing out a daunting task. That, combined with the ongoing pandemic, means that many people will be staying inside this winter. To help brighten the spirits of local community members, Inside Out Club DuPage is hosting its annual fundraiser - Cocoa & Kindness - to raise vital funds for the organization while giving friends, families and neighbors something to smile about.

"You know how it feels when you're cold and you get that first warm sip of cocoa? That's how it feels to spread kindness. Giving the gift of a Cocoa & Kindness box will brighten someone's day and make it easy for them to feel and share kindness," said Marion B. Ruthig, Founder and Executive Director of Inside Out Club DuPage.

Cocoa & Kindness kicked off around Thanksgiving and runs through Valentine's Day. To participate, individuals can purchase a Cocoa & Kindness box filled with goodies guaranteed to brighten even the dreariest and most blustery of winter days. Each box ($25) contains two hot chocolate bombs and a bath bomb, gifts from local shops, a gourmet chocolate bar, sweet treats, and hands-on activities that families and individuals can do to spread even more kindness throughout the community. Every item in the box can be reused or recycled, extending the Cocoa & Kindness mission of spreading kindness everywhere to the planet as well. You can choose to buy them for yourself, to give away, or to donate through the club.

With a strong mission and boxes packed with treats, it's easy to see why the club sold out of boxes last year. They're on track to do it again in 2022. To date, well over 300 boxes have been sold. With orders coming in every day, their remaining supply is sure to go fast. Of boxes sold so far, 91 were purchased with the intent to donate them to veterans, police and fire, teachers and other essential front-line workers.

"Our hope is that at least 200 of this year's boxes will be donated to share kindness and gratitude with these groups who have been critical in guiding our community, now more than ever. We've made it easy to give back by including an option right on the order form for Inside Out Club DuPage to donate boxes on the supporter's behalf," said Ruthig.

Boxes can be purchased through Inside Out Club DuPage's website (www.insideoutclub.org/cocoa-kindness). Proceeds from the winter fundraiser directly help support the club's activities and increase their reach to more children and communities. The nonprofit helps children ages 3-12 develop and practice character skills through fun activities, books and volunteer service projects that empower them to thrive in their lives, community and later in their careers. The organization has a wide reach. In 2021, the club positively impacted more than 1,300 children and their families. Their dedication to youth development and spreading kindness is why sponsors, such as Gerald Subaru of Naperville, continue supporting Cocoa & Kindness each year.

"Cocoa & Kindness is built on a simple, yet powerful, message of spreading love and kindness throughout our local community," said Alec McKean, "We love watching this fundraiser grow and develop and are thrilled to support an organization that helps empower children," said Alec McKean, Vice President of Service for the Gerald Auto Group.

To learn more about Inside Out Club DuPage, visit www.insideoutclub.org.

To learn more about Gerald Subaru of Naperville, visit www.geraldsubarunaperville.com.