The Stueckrad family of Streator is banding together to make Christmas a little happier for others.

Andrew Stueckrad, 16, and his sister Summer, 11, are working on separate aspects of a Christmas gift drive this year. They are getting organizing help from their mother, Angela. Younger siblings Nolan, 8, and Haven Stover, 4, also get in on the action.

Andrew started his "I Still Believe in Santa" campaign last Christmas, after he helped a friend who was in need.

"My friend hadn't gotten anything for Christmas," Andrew told The Times. "I got a color razor (scooter) and I gave it to him and it made him happy, so I decided to give to other kids who don't get gifts to make them happy."

The campaign seeks to collect and give presents to 13- to 18-year-olds who are in school, living at home and not benefiting from any other program.

Last year, 59 children and 37 nursing home residents benefitted from the drive. The Stueckrads would like to collect for more less-fortunate people this year.

"With everyone being out of work this year, it might be harder, but there are children with more needs," Angela Stueckrad said.

Summer is officially starting her part of the campaign this year and has used some of her own money to fund supplies.

Last year, while helping pack leftover supplies for residents of Camelot Terrace, Summer felt good about helping out.

"It made me happy seeing their happy faces," she said.

She is collecting baskets to fill with items needed by senior citizens at Camelot Terrace and some who are shut-ins at home. So far, Summer has collected 43 baskets through garage sales, donations and buying them herself.

The Stueckrads are getting some help this year from Police Chief Jeff Anderson, who has offered to help distribute baskets.

The family is hoping to have a gift drive at City Park this year. According to Angela, they still need to complete paperwork to ask the city's permission to do so.

Lori's Mailboxes and Parcel Depot/U-Haul also agreed to do a gift drive this year. Dates will be forthcoming.

"This is to help others," Angela said. "Everybody helps. (The kids) were standing out in the freezing cold collecting items last year."

Andrew works at Kroger and the rest of the family does a paper route to help raise extra money to make the family's ends meet.

"I'm a single mom of four and I'm barely making ends meet myself," said Angela Stueckrad, an artist who makes and sells life-like baby dolls.

"We've made a lot of people happy," Andrew concluded.


How Can I Help?

The Stueckrads are requesting donated items be as new as possible. They should be in excellent used condition or new. Items needed include:

• FOR TEENS: Hooded sweatshirts, electronic items, self-care products, hats, mittens, gloves, stockings to fill with candy, candy to fill stockings.
• FOR SENIORS: Personal care products, chapstick, lip balm, slipper socks, candy dishes, mini-Christmas trees, wreaths, large print books, magazines, large-piece puzzles, crossword puzzles, pens and pencils, mini-stuffed animals. The family requests no candles be donated.
• SUPPLIES: Contractor bags, shrink wrap, tape, spray paint (red, white and green), small and large name tags. They request as soon as possible wrapping paper and six pieces of poster board to set up the collection boxes.
• Collection boxes are set up at Marathon South, 1401 S. Bloomington St., and Kroger, 2399 N. Bloomington St. Items should be marked "T" for Teen and "S" for Senior. Items in the boxes will be collected once a week until two weeks before Christmas. Total Rec also is accepting monetary donations for the Stueckrads' drive. To donate money at Total Rec, contact owner Will Price at 815-922-7213.
• To nominate a teen or senior citizen in need or to donate or volunteer to collect, sort and wrap presents, contact Angela Stueckrad at 815-672-2529.