For more than 10 years, COD Cares has actively supported our neighbors, collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits while fostering a culture of service among College employees, students and community members.
We proudly continue the tradition of service as we look forward to planting more gardens, preparing new transitional housing units, collecting clothing and food for those in need and sharing our time and energy with the community that so graciously supports our educational mission because COD Cares!
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Gnome-body Does it Better: Thank You COD
This year’s Gift of Giving was nothing short of extraordinary — and it’s all thanks to YOU, COD students, faculty and staff. Your kindness, energy, and compassion turned challenges into hope and made this season brighter for so many in our community.
Life can be challenging for young families, senior citizens, students, veterans and those with health issues. Because of your efforts, we were able to meet these challenges with action, love, and impact.
Just a Few Highlights from 2025
- Fuel Pantry – More than tripled last year’s impact, thanks to the leadership of Linda Koslawski and students who took the initiative to manage mini food drives in their neighborhoods.
- Sleep Out Saturday Rally – Our largest ever, with over 200 guests raising awareness about housing insecurity and supporting Bridge Communities.
- Operation Support Our Troops – Volunteers stuffed stockings and sorted candy for deployed military, sending gratitude across the globe.
- Field of Honor – 25 COD staff helped plant 1,500 flags in Naperville, honoring fallen service members.
- Build a Better Lunch – Over 200 sack lunches prepared for DuPage Pads clients, marking our first targeted partnership with COD Athletics.
- Global Education Week – 85 students engaged in refugee awareness sessions and International Game Day.
- Red Cross Blood Drive – 43 units collected, saving up to 129 lives, with 25 new donors stepping up.
- Holiday Cheer – Volunteers decorated shelters and centers for veterans, children, and families in need.
- New Partnerships – First-time collaborations with COD Police (Stuff a Squad) and Helping Hand since COVID.
Every donation given, every flag planted, every stocking stuffed and every smile shared was possible because of YOU. Your generosity created lasting memories, lifted spirits, and showed what it truly means to care.
Thank you for making Gift of Giving 2025 a season of hope, joy and community.
