More than 9,000 people came together Saturday, August 25, in south Chicago for a day of hope and peace. With the help of 104 local organizations, 60 churches, and 1,400 volunteers, more than 7,700 Guests of Honor were served at Convoy’s Chicago Community Event.
The first family arrived outside the event at 6 a.m., ready to go. By the time the event started at 9 a.m., more than 1,250 people were lined up for the event.
Thousands of goods and services were distributed, including 6,000 back-to-school backpacks, nearly 10,000 bags of groceries, and more than 3,108 pairs of new children’s shoes. More than 4,800 people also received health services — including 217 flu vaccinations from Walgreens.
Guests of Honor also had the opportunity to meet with local organizations and career services groups to make connections that would last long after the event ended. Chicago City Alderman, David Moore, thanked Convoy of Hope for “… not just handing out fish, but teaching people to fish.”
In total, the Chicago Community Event was a huge success. The numbers are listed below.
- 9,128 total people on site
- 7,728 Guests of Honor
- 1,400 volunteers engaged
- 60 participating churches
- 104 participating organizations
- 6,000 back-to-school backpacks distributed
- 168 haircuts given by 16 stylists
- 850 family portraits taken
- 9,947 grocery bags distributed
- 12,000 meals prepared
- 3,108 children’s shoes distributed
- 5,000 Bombas socks distributed
- 1,526 people served by National Breast Cancer Foundation
- 4,800 people served in health services (by 23 organizations)
- 217 flu vaccinations given by Walgreens
- 276 people served in job and career services (by 11 organizations)
- 217 job applications and 5 resumes filled out
- 547 people served in community services (by 28 organizations)
- 62 veterans served (by 17 organizations)
