HR0451 LRB094 12360 CSA 46466 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Tom and Sonna Cain of Tolono started their Friends
3 of Santa program to create holiday memories for area children
4 who might not otherwise have Christmas; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The Cains have been providing happy memories for
6 struggling families since they started the Friends of Santa
7 operation out of their home in 1986; and
 
8     WHEREAS, This year will mark the 19th year that the Cains
9 have devoted their own holiday season to making sure that all
10 children in their community have presents to open on Christmas
11 morning; and
 
12     WHEREAS, The operation has grown over the years; Friends of
13 Santa now serves children in Tolono plus four additional
14 communities; Mrs. Cain estimates that she has a team of about
15 200 volunteers helping with donations, shopping, wrapping, and
16 sorting the gifts; groups from the Masonic Lodge in Tolono and
17 the Pesotum and Tolono United Methodist churches have been
18 especially helpful with the fundraising portion; the motorhome
19 that serves as Santa's sleigh is donated by a friend, and Mr.
20 Cain plays Santa; and
 
21     WHEREAS, In 1986, the Cains delivered Christmas presents to
22 56 children; in 2001, the Friends of Santa program delivered
23 presents to 48 families, with a total of 120 children; while
24 every child still receives toys, gifts of clothing and coats
25 are provided to those families who need them; and
 
26     WHEREAS, The Cains are the parents of two boys; Mr. Cain
27 has a real estate business, helps teach as a graduate assistant
28 for Dale Carnegie Training, and is the local area's Chapter
29 President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and
 

 

 

HR0451 - 2 - LRB094 12360 CSA 46466 r

1     WHEREAS, The need for Friends of Santa never goes away, but
2 neither do the memories that have been created over the years;
3 therefore, be it
 
4     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6 we express our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Tom
7 and Sonna Cain for their Friends of Santa program and applaud
8 their efforts, and those of the volunteers, in ensuring the
9 continuation of this heartwarming event; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 presented to Tom and Sonna Cain as an expression of our utmost
12 admiration.