DOWNERS GROVE – Following a month-long donation drive, State Senators Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) dropped off more than 325 purses full of personal care items to the Downers Grove Community Center.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the members of our community who took the time to make a donation in support of our neighbors in need,” Ellman said. “Especially around the holidays, it’s important to remind survivors of domestic abuse that there’s a whole community behind them.”

The drive was held through #LovePurse, an initiative that collects purses filled with personal care items, toiletries, menstrual products and notes of encouragement to distribute to women in need and survivors of domestic violence.

“When neighbors are experiencing hardship, generosity from community members is critical to building a lasting support network,” Glowiak Hilton said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your donations and for helping us uplift survivors of domestic violence.”

At the time of the drop off, nearly 150 purses had already been donated to the community center, bringing the total to just shy of 475. The purses will be distributed to those in need throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

NAPERVILLE – In an effort to support and promote small businesses ahead of the holiday season, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is launching a social media campaign to feature local small businesses.

“Our local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many have been left struggling to stay afloat,” Ellman said. “Now more than ever, supporting our small businesses is vital as they work to get back on their feet.”

Ellman encourages small business owners interested in being featured on her social media to provide information about their businesses here. Businesses invited to participate include restaurants, retail shops and businesses that provide personal services, like spas and salons.

“We are lucky to have so many fantastic small businesses in our community,” Ellman said. “I hope that residents will keep our local businesses in mind as we enter the holiday season.”

Questions can be directed to Senator Ellman’s Naperville office by calling 630-601-9961 or visiting Senatorlauraellman.com.

NAPERVILLE – In recognition of sacrifices made by brave Illinoisans who have served our country, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is inviting people to write friendly and encouraging letters to residents of veterans’ homes ahead of Veterans Day.

“Our veterans have made sacrifices for our community and our nation that we will never be able to repay,” Ellman said. “However, by taking the time to reach out with kind messages and words of encouragement, we can make them feel recognized and appreciated.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.

“Even just a short, personal message can go a long way toward combatting the loneliness and isolation felt by residents in veterans’ homes across our state,” Ellman said. “This is a great opportunity to tell our veterans, ‘we remember you, we appreciate you, and we are thankful for your service.’”

The campaign will focus on veterans’ homes in Illinois, located in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. To send a message to a veteran or a veteran home, visit Send-a-note. For people wanting to send physical letters, locations for each of the veterans’ homes can be found here.

NAPERVILLE – Residents will have the opportunity to tour the Mobile Museum of Tolerance when it makes a stop in Naperville at the beginning of November.

State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville) have teamed up to host the museum Nov. 1 - 3 at the 95^th Street Library, located at 3015 Cedar Glade Drive in Naperville. The museum will be open to the public noon to 6 p.m. all three days.

“The Mobile Museum of Tolerance is a fantastic resource, and I’m thrilled to host it in our community,” Ellman said. “The lesson of how important it is to stand up to hate and protect our fellow humans is timeless, and the MMOT has been tireless in its effort to bring that lesson to communities across the state.”

The MMOT is an educational initiative through the Simon Wiesenthal Center, named for Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal. Wiesenthal dedicated his life to the promotion of Holocaust memory and education.

The first of its kind in the United States, the MMOT brings world-class learning experiences to communities across Illinois. Its purpose is to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to promote human dignity and to stand up against antisemitism, bullying, racism, hate and intolerance.

"The Mobile Museum of Tolerance is a safe space for us to speak to students, educators and communities about tolerance and our responsibility to stand up against hate,” said Alison Pure-Slovin, Midwest region director for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “The hope is that those who experience our workshops can leave with an understanding of how they can take small steps in their everyday interactions to make the world a better place.”

Residents with questions are encouraged to reach out to Ellman’s office at 630-601-9961 or SenatorLauraEllman.com. More information about the Mobile Museum of Tolerance can be found on its website.