Without the donations of generous individuals and businesses, none of this can be done. Your financial support provides more than 20 percent of our budget, and without it, we would not be able to fulfill our commitments.
Although we are small, WACO makes a significant contribution to the advancement of the children we serve. We are known for our annual holiday program – we take more the 500 preschoolers shopping for themselves and their families.
If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of children in Chicago's northwest and western suburbs, there are a number of opportunities to get involved with us. The children we work with are all living at or below the poverty level.
Woodfield Area Children’s Organization is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating positive childhood memories and providing basic needs, along with educational support, for children living at or below the poverty level in Chicago's northwest and western suburbs.
More About UsLet's help the little ones in our community! Donate diapers, wipes, and/or infant clothing at our partner bank locations:
- Heartland Bank & Trust, 321 W Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195
- Old National Bank, 2601 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Can't drop off at the bank? No problem! Choose and buy pre-selected items from our WACO Amazon Gift List! Items donated through our Gift List will automatically be shipped directly to WACO's address, so we can immediately distribute them to the children who need them the most.
The 11th Annual "Steak" Your Claim Meat Raffle, sponsored by Heartland Bank, will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Real Time Sports in Elk Grove Village, IL. The event presents opportunities to win meat, fish, chicken, turkey, etc... along with raffle prizes. All proceeds will aid the children we support. The event will feature several rounds of food items, premium raffles, and auction items displayed throughout the venue.
Donate funds or email us at info@waco4kids.org to donate new raffle/auction items. Support the children and attend/donate today!
Our WACO scholarships are awarded in memoriam of John Bestmann; William A. Kelly, Sr.; and Michael J. O'Malley, who founded and grew WACO, enabling the organization to reach the level of impact – for thousands of children – that it has today.
Application deadline: May 31, 2026
Multiple $1,000–2,000 scholarships will be awarded (one per person).
Recipients will be notified by email by June 30, 2026, so please watch your email!
Criteria:
- High school senior graduating in spring 2026 with any post-secondary education plans (college/university, trade school, etc.)
- Past volunteer participation in the community
- Activities and honors
- 100-word response
- Scholastics
Let's help the little ones in our community! Donate diapers, wipes, and/or infant clothing at our partner bank locations:
- Heartland Bank & Trust, 321 W Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195
- Old National Bank, 2601 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Can't drop off at the bank? No problem! Choose and buy pre-selected items from our WACO Amazon Gift List! Items donated through our Gift List will automatically be shipped directly to WACO's address, so we can immediately distribute them to the children who need them the most.
The 11th Annual "Steak" Your Claim Meat Raffle, sponsored by Heartland Bank, will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Real Time Sports in Elk Grove Village, IL. The event presents opportunities to win meat, fish, chicken, turkey, etc... along with raffle prizes. All proceeds will aid the children we support. The event will feature several rounds of food items, premium raffles, and auction items displayed throughout the venue.
Donate funds or email us at info@waco4kids.org to donate new raffle/auction items. Support the children and attend/donate today!
Before November 20, help Woodfield Area Children's Organization's PARTNERING WITH PALLETS FOOD DRIVE!
Dear Friends of WACO, your support and generosity of our Thanksgiving food drive provides a holiday meal for over 1,000 family members of the agencies we serve.
Our 2026 Thanksgiving food drive is Friday, November 20, 2026, and we are looking for your continued support by then. We are offering the opportunity for our supporters to sponsor a pallet of food in 2025. Choose from the sponsorship options below or pitch in as a group:
Individual cash donations of any amount are also appreciated and will go toward the food drive.
Ready to make an impact right here in our local community? Contact us at INFO@WACO4KIDS.ORG or click here and follow the directions to donate now via Paypal or the mail.
Let's help the little ones in our community! Donate diapers, wipes, and/or infant clothing at our partner bank locations:
- Heartland Bank & Trust, 321 W Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195
- Old National Bank, 2601 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Can't drop off at the bank? No problem! Choose and buy pre-selected items from our WACO Amazon Gift List! Items donated through our Gift List will automatically be shipped directly to WACO's address, so we can immediately distribute them to the children who need them the most.
Before November 20, help Woodfield Area Children's Organization's PARTNERING WITH PALLETS FOOD DRIVE!
Dear Friends of WACO, your support and generosity of our Thanksgiving food drive provides a holiday meal for over 1,000 family members of the agencies we serve.
Our 2026 Thanksgiving food drive is Friday, November 20, 2026, and we are looking for your continued support by then. We are offering the opportunity for our supporters to sponsor a pallet of food in 2025. Choose from the sponsorship options below or pitch in as a group:
Individual cash donations of any amount are also appreciated and will go toward the food drive.
Ready to make an impact right here in our local community? Contact us at INFO@WACO4KIDS.ORG or click here and follow the directions to donate now via Paypal or the mail.
Save the date! Please plan to join us to celebrate the holidays, raise funds, and collect toys for local children in need!
When:
Friday, December 11, 2026
Where: TBD
The 11th Annual "Steak" Your Claim Meat Raffle, sponsored by Heartland Bank, will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Real Time Sports in Elk Grove Village, IL. The event presents opportunities to win meat, fish, chicken, turkey, etc... along with raffle prizes. All proceeds will aid the children we support. The event will feature several rounds of food items, premium raffles, and auction items displayed throughout the venue.
Donate funds or email us at info@waco4kids.org to donate new raffle/auction items. Support the children and attend/donate today!
Save the date! Please plan to join us to celebrate the holidays, raise funds, and collect toys for local children in need!
When:
Friday, December 11, 2026
Where: TBD
The 11th Annual "Steak" Your Claim Meat Raffle, sponsored by Heartland Bank, will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Real Time Sports in Elk Grove Village, IL. The event presents opportunities to win meat, fish, chicken, turkey, etc... along with raffle prizes. All proceeds will aid the children we support. The event will feature several rounds of food items, premium raffles, and auction items displayed throughout the venue.
Donate funds or email us at info@waco4kids.org to donate new raffle/auction items. Support the children and attend/donate today!
Help WACO take hundreds of preschool children in need shopping for holiday gifts for themselves and their families! Shadow a child who is shopping and/or wrap gifts.
Help WACO take hundreds of preschool children in need shopping for holiday gifts for themselves and their families! Shadow a child who is shopping and/or wrap gifts.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of WACO. Without your help, we simply cannot do all the things we do each year. At WACO, we are all volunteers; we do not have any paid positions. From the president on down, we all help whenever and wherever we can. Whether as a board or committee member, or as a volunteer on the day of an event, please consider joining us.
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
