Don’t be surprised if you see some familiar faces standing on the corner next weekend. Wearing white bibs with a red heart and the Jelly Belly logo, DePaul students, faculty and staff are volunteering to collect donations for Misericordia’s Candy Days.

Candy Days is one of Misericordia’s major fundraising efforts. Volunteers across the Chicago area signed up to spread awareness about Misericordia and pass out Jelly Bellies to people who make donations. This year Candy Days will be held Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28.

Misericordia is home to over 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities. It is located on the North Side of Chicago on a 31-acre campus.

“Misericordia’s Candy Days is essential,” said Liz Coughlin, the Writing Center program director. Misericordia has a special place in Coughlin’s heart since her brother has been a resident there for the past 19 years.

“Between 8,000 and 10,000 volunteers blanket the Chicago area spreading awareness of Misericordia and collecting donations as they distribute Jelly Belly packets,” said Lois Gates, assistant executive director of Misericordia.

Organizers are hoping that seeing the familiar faces of professors and students will encourage people to donate. “We are very happy and extremely grateful to have the Division of Student Affairs engaged with lots of Misericordia supporters,” said Coughlin.

“We have been working with DePaul for many, many years,” Gates said. “This is the first year we have gotten such a phenomenal response from the DePaul community. We have always received Candy Days support from DePaul, but not at this level.”

Coach Doug Bruno and the women’s basketball team have volunteered every year since 1988. They have become well-known fixtures at Union Station, said Amy Foran, department assistant for student affairs. “People look for them,” she said.

“Community service is a major component to our women’s basketball program,” Bruno said. “For our players who have been blessed with the gifts of mental, emotional and physical skills, it is very important for our team to understand that young adults and children with physical and mental attributes are so special.”

DePaul currently has 60 volunteers who will participate in the Loop as well as the Lincoln Park area. “Our goal is to have over 100 volunteers,” said Foran. “We are always looking for more.”

DePaul volunteers will be at major intersections near both of the DePaul campuses. These include the corners of Fullerton and Sheffield, as well as Diversey, Lincoln and Racine and Fullerton, Lincoln and Halsted. Volunteers will also be on the corners of Wrightwood, Lincoln and Sheffield, Fullerton, Ashland and Clybourn and Stockton Drive and Fullerton. In the Loop volunteers will be at the corners of Jackson and Dearborn as well as Randolph and Michigan.

Gates explained that Candy Days is broken down into 13 different districts throughout Chicago and nearly every suburb. She feels the Loop district is exceptionally popular because of the high rate of businesses and the proximity of the train stations. Volunteers focus on the high volume traffic times during the morning commute, lunch hour breaks and the evening commute home.

“We are very fortunate to have a majority of businesses on board for Candy Days,” said Gates.

“Misericordia is unique because it offers a continuum of care,” said Gates. Coughlin agrees. “They (Misericordia) have such a respect for the residents and their abilities,” she said.

“If we didn’t have fundraising like Candy Days we wouldn’t be able to provide the quality programming that we do,” said Gates. “Last year Candy Days raised over one million dollars. This year’s goal is to do even better.”

The Jelly Belly Candy Company makes Candy Days possible by donating 1.5 million packets of Jelly Bellies. The DePaul community itself also makes the event possible.

“We can’t thank Father Dennis (Holtschneider) enough for his graciousness in endorsing us and embracing the mission of Misericordia,” said Gates. “People really want to be involved because they know they are making a difference.”

If you are interested in volunteering for Candy Days, contact Amy Foran at [email protected].