As we get closer to the holiday season, we hope you’ll take the time to think about how you can make it better for some less fortunate people. The below organizations are in need of help. Please read more about them and consider helping out, especially with time-bound issue such as the Ebola outbreak.

Preventing the Spread of Ebola; Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (708) 496-3900 Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a medical surplus recovery organization based in Chicago that has stepped up to address the worsening Ebola crisis in West Africa. In the last several years, Mission Outreach has worked with the Archdiocese of Chicago and Rotary International to establish relationships with medical facilities in Nigeria. Through these connections, the organizations have been able to transport life-saving supplies to facilities struggling under Nigeria’s impover- ished healthcare system. Mission Outreach is asking individuals and companies across Chica- go for financial donations that will help transport supplies and protective gear to medical workers in Nigeria. Individuals and companies can make financial donations at mission-outreach.org.

Barbara J. Timmer Family Foundation

(312) 371-6566 |

The Barbara J. Timmer Family Foundation has been established in honor of mom, wife, sister, grandma and friend, Barb Timmer, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) on October 5, 2011 and lost her battle with AML on November 7th, 2011. The purpose of the foundation is to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia Research Foundation while remembering Barbara’s love and legacy. You can help raise awareness by supporting their annual walk in September or by donating items for their raffle. Monetary donations can be made on the organization’s website and raffle donations can be sent to The Barbara J. Timmer Foundation at 219 Austin Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. For more information please visit bar- barajtimmerfamilyfoundation.nationbuilder.com.

Art Therapy at Music Institute of Chicago

847-448-8307 The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) is one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the country. The school’s mission is to provide lifelong engagement with music through education for people of all skills and age levels. The school carries out its mission by providing music education for individuals whose opportunities are limited, and by supporting the growth of music therapy for individuals with special needs through the Institute for Therapy Through the Arts (ITA). ITA uses integrated arts to help children, adults and families improve functioning related to psycho- logical, developmental, cognitive and physical factors. The school uses monetary donations to help broaden access to musical instruction and clinical services in creative arts therapy. To make a donation or to learn more information, please visit the school’s website (musicinst.org/giving) or contact Sally Braybrooks at 847-448-8307.