July 9, 2007

For the second consecutive year, the University of Illinois football team will host a charitable supply drive to benefit the Cunningham Children's Home. The event will take place Wednesday, July 18 on the East side of Memorial Stadium, beginning at 6 a.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. The team will be encouraging members of the community to donate items from the Home's wish list. The Illini goal is to "Score a Touchdown For the Cunningham Children's Home." CU Radio Group, featuring Q96, 95.3 The Rock, 105.9 WGKC will be assisting the football team with this project.

The Illini will attempt to line up donated items the length of a football field with the help of generous members of the community. Last season, the Illini raised more than $13,000 in goods and cash on behalf of the Home, far exceeding first-year expectations. This summer, the Illini will be counting on that same generosity to match if not exceed the 2006 number.

"Last year was such a positive experience for the team, that we had to do it again," Illinois senior linebacker J Leman said. "Not only did we enjoy the event as a team, it was very rewarding to see how the community came together for such a good cause. It definitely opened up our eyes to all the good that the Cunningham Home does for children in need."

Fans or community members wishing to donate should drive down Fourth Street on the East side of the stadium. Football players will be on hand to take donations as well as sign autographs and take photos.

The mission of Cunningham Children's Home is to offer emotional, social, educational and spiritual support to children, youth and families by providing a safe, nurturing, therapeutic environment in which individuals may experience personal growth and healing.

The following items are from the Cunningham Children's Home wish list:

• Housekeeping
  • dishcloths/towels/soap
  • toaster
  • coffee maker
  • twin sheet sets/ pillows
  • bath towels & washcloths
  • plastic storage bins
  • spray & wash stain remover
  • fabric softner sheets
  • zippered twin plastic mattress covers
  • irons
  • silverware sets
  • cooking utensils
  • pots & pans
  • dish sets
• Clothing
  • **men's belts (sizes 32-40)
  • **men's t-style crew neck undershirts (sizes M,L,XL,XXL)
  • **men's white crew & ankle socks
  • **men's boxers (sizes S,M,L,XL, XXL)
  • women's white socks
  • women's underwear (sizes 5 - 9)
  • new sweatshirts and pants (L,XL,XXL)
  • terry cloth bath robes (L,XL,XXL)
• School Needs
  • **basic calculators
  • **scientific calculators
  • ** black bic pens
  • ** pencils
  • **teen/young adult backpacks
  • pencil sharpeners
  • zippered binders
  • art gum erasers/pink pearl erasers
  • scissors (6" only)
  • 3-hole pencil pouches
  • markers and colored pencils
  • 3 x 5 lined index cards
  • award stickers & decorated pencils
  • Current USA Atlas & World Atlas
  • math games
  • TV/VCR (all in one unit)
• Health Care
  • cool mist humidifiers/vaporizers
  • heating pads
  • alcohol free mouthwash
  • band-aids
  • ace bandages
  • ibuprofen/acetaminophen
  • gauze squares/first aid tape
  • peroxide/rubbing alcohol
  • antibiotic ointment
  • cold medicine / cough syrup
  • cough drops
  • thermometers
• Subscriptions
  • Newsweek, National Geographic World, or National Geographic Junior, Sports Illustrated for Kids, or Sports Illustrated, Boys Life, News-Gazette
• Personal Care
  • ** paddle brushes
  • **shampoo & conditioner for boys (no fruit or flower scents)
  • **African American hair care products (Gold Magic, Cream of Nature, Pink, Softee, Ampro, Blue Duchess, Royal Crown brands -- can be found at most Walmart and K-Mart stores)
  • **solid deodorant (no sprays or roll-on)
  • **sanitary napkins/tampons
  • **bath soap/ body wash
  • body lotion
  • hair picks
  • combs
  • men's cologne
  • protein styling hair gel
  • large barrel curling irons
  • Q-tips/cotton balls
• Recreation
  • **men's swimtrunks-ages 10-21
  • **lg & xl ski gloves
  • **footballs
  • **basketballs
  • sunscreen / bug repellant
  • adult size baseball gloves
  • pool toys/ goggles
  • snow sleds/ snow boards
  • flashlights
• Arts & Crafts
  • **Car & airplane models
  • **Scrap-booking supplies
  • **Fuzzy posters
  • Construction paper
  • small pencil boxes for art supplies
  • sketch books(8 x 10 or larger)
  • craft kits
  • Bead kits
  • Beginner sewing kits
  • Latch hook kits
  • Crochet supplies
  • acrylic paints
  • posterboard
• Cameras & Electronics
  • **blank VHS tapes
  • **batteries: AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-Volt
  • **hand held electronic games for incentives
  • **disposable cameras
  • 35mm film
  • 8x10 picture frames (no glass)

** ITEMS OF GREATEST NEED