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News

Batavia High School grad making the holidays happier for local families

Jackie Raker is working with CHIP IN Batavia to donate trees, adornments and gifts to those in need

By KANE COUNTY CHRONICLEEmail
Batavia High School graduate Jackie Rakers (L), with help from Boy Scout Troop 12 members (from left) Conall Doherty, Zack Benson and George Williams, gathers trees on Nov. 23 for her project in collaboration with CHIP IN Batavia. The Batavia scout troop donates the trees, which Rakers provides to local families in need.
Batavia High School graduate Jackie Rakers (L), with help from Boy Scout Troop 12 members (from left) Conall Doherty, Zack Benson and George Williams, gathers trees on Nov. 23 for her project in collaboration with CHIP IN Batavia. The Batavia scout troop donates the trees, which Rakers provides to local families in need.

A Batavia native is making the holidays a little brighter for some families in need this season.

Batavia High School and Aurora University graduate Jackie Rakers is working with CHIP IN Batavia for the second consecutive year to bring Christmas trees, stands, ornaments, lights, toppers, tree skirts and gifts to six local families.

Several other community organizations are also chipping in to support the project. Boy Scout 12 is donating six trees from its lot on Route 25, and residents at Aurora’s Lifespring Center are donating handmade ornaments.

Chris Rakers, Jackie’s mother, owns the glass company Christalyn Cole and has been selling handmade glass Santa ornaments for $5, with the proceeds benefitting Jackie’s project.

BEI Properties, West DuPage Cabinets and Granite, Bulldog Plumbing, ALDI, Boyce Body Werks, the Marmion Academy swim team, Cynthia Rendel and many other individuals have also donated money, time and talent to help make Christmas happier for those families.

“There’s still work to be done, but I couldn’t be happier with how things are coming together,” Jackie Rakers said in a press release. “What a great little town we have.”

She will take donations until she delivers the trees, adornments and gifts on Dec. 7. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to CHIP IN Batavia.

“Last year, out of the blue, Jackie called CHIP IN and wanted to know if she could help Batavia families in need during the holidays,” said Joanne Spitz, co-founder of CHIP IN Batavia, in the release. “She did everything to make it happen and she’s doing it again this year. She is wonderful!”

For more information about CHIP IN Batavia, visit www.chipinbatavia.org. 

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