Interact Club of Oak Lawn

09/15/2025

🌟⚾ We are proud to announce that Dr. Sarah Dynia, Resident Physician in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, and Founder & CEO of Stuffed Love , has been named the 2025 Chicago White Sox Roland Hemond Award recipient! ⚾🌟

Dr. Dynia — a born and raised Southsider, lifelong White Sox fan, and founding member of the White Sox Volunteer Corps — started Stuffed Love in November 2010 to share “that little bit of hope” with anyone in need. 💚

💜 Since then, Stuffed Love has created and distributed tens of thousands of hand-stitched heart pillows, comforting children and families facing hardships. Partnering with organizations like Team CHD Illinois, The Holiday Heroes, and Bricks of Hope, these hearts continue to reach children with complex medical conditions — even as Sarah now serves as a resident physician in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics.

🥘 Beyond the hearts, Stuffed Love has taken on food insecurity across Chicago. Since December 2020, our pantry has distributed over 2,600 tons of food — the equivalent of 6 million meals — through weekly Monday, Wednesday, and Friday distributions and countless pop-ups.

On Sunday, September 21 at Rate Field, Sarah will be honored on the field for carrying forward Roland Hemond’s legacy of selfless service to others. 🙌

👉 Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sarah Dynia on this incredible honor! 👏

Thank you, Chicago White Sox and Chicago White Sox Charities, for recognizing Sarah’s leadership and supporting Stuffed Love’s mission. Together, we continue to bring to families across our community. 💙💚

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center UI Health Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Northwestern University Loyola M**S Loyola University Chicago Rush Medical College Rush University Medical Center Rush University System for Health

05/05/2025

🍎❤️ TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2025! ❤️🍎
May 5th – May 9th | Teacher Appreciation Day: Tuesday, May 6th

Every day is a GREAT day to THANK A TEACHER! 👩🏾‍🏫👏

Behind every confident student is a teacher who believed in them.
Behind every achievement is a teacher who stayed late, cared deeply, and never gave up.

This week, let’s celebrate the heroes who spark curiosity, fuel dreams, and shape our future—OUR AMAZING TEACHERS!

Drop a comment below to shout out a teacher who changed your life! 👇❤️

THANK YOU, TEACHERS! You are the heart of education and the champions of tomorrow.

03/30/2025

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Happy National Doctors’ Day! 🩺⚕️

Today we celebrate the incredible doctors who heal, help, and bring hope every single day.

To every physician making a difference — THANK YOU for your compassion, wisdom, and dedication. You are the heartbeat of healthcare!

Tag your favorite doctor and let them know how much they mean to you!
Tell us in the comments about a doctor who’s made a difference in your life.

02/07/2025

❤️ Tomorrow, February 7, is National Wear Red Day & the start of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb 7–14)! ❤️

CHD is the most common birth defect, affecting thousands of children and adults. With increased awareness, research, and support, we can help these brave heart warriors live longer, healthier lives! 💪💕

Did you know CHD is a lifelong condition? Many children face multiple surgeries, medications, and specialized care. But thanks to early detection and treatment, they are achieving incredible milestones every day! 🌟

🟥 Tomorrow, February 7, is also National Wear Red Day! This annual campaign raises awareness about heart disease in women, urging women to learn their risk factors and take steps to protect their heart health. ❤️

Join us in spreading awareness and support:
❤️ Wear red tomorrow to show solidarity for CHD warriors and women's heart health
❤️ Share your story or tag a Heart Warrior you love
❤️ Use , , , , and to connect with the community

Together, we can keep hearts beating strong and bring hope to CHD warriors everywhere! 🏥💗

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❤️ ¡Mañana, 7 de febrero, es el Día Nacional de Vestir de Rojo y el inicio de la Semana de Concienciación sobre los Defectos Cardíacos Congénitos (7–14 de febrero)! ❤️

Los defectos cardíacos congénitos (CHD) son la anomalía congénita más común, afectando a miles de niños y adultos. Con más concienciación, investigación y apoyo, podemos ayudar a estos valientes guerreros del corazón a vivir vidas más largas y saludables. 💪💕

¿Sabías que CHD es una condición de por vida? Muchos niños enfrentan múltiples cirugías, medicamentos y cuidados especializados. Pero gracias a la detección temprana y el tratamiento adecuado, están logrando increíbles hitos cada día. 🌟

🟥 Mañana, 7 de febrero, también es el Día Nacional de Vestir de Rojo. Esta campaña anual busca crear conciencia sobre las enfermedades del corazón en las mujeres, alentándolas a conocer sus factores de riesgo y a tomar medidas para proteger su salud cardíaca. ❤️

Únete a la concienciación y al apoyo:
❤️ Viste de rojo mañana para mostrar solidaridad con los guerreros del corazón y la salud cardíaca de las mujeres
❤️ Comparte tu historia o etiqueta a un Guerrero del Corazón que amas
❤️ Usa , , , y para conectarte con la comunidad

Juntos, podemos mantener corazones latiendo con fuerza y llevar esperanza a los guerreros del corazón en todas partes. 🏥💗

01/10/2025

Our hearts and prayers are with California during this difficult time. In moments like these, kindness and hope become the pillars of strength for those in need. We stand in solidarity with everyone affected and send our love and support. Remember, even the smallest acts of compassion can make a world of difference.

01/01/2025

💔 Our hearts are heavy as we wake to the devastating news of the tragic incident in the French Quarter of New Orleans. To the victims, their families, and the entire New Orleans community, we extend our deepest condolences and unwavering support during this unimaginably difficult time. 🙏

At Stuffed Love, we believe in the power of compassion and community to help heal even the deepest wounds. To honor those affected, we commit to spreading even more kindness and love, because in the face of such pain, every act of hope matters.

We ask our Stuffed Love family to join us in sending thoughts, prayers, and support to New Orleans. Let us stand together in solidarity, offering comfort and strength to those who need it most. If there’s anything we can do, we are here.

❤️ New Orleans, you are in our hearts.



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💔 Nuestros corazones están pesados al despertar con la desgarradora noticia del trágico incidente en el Barrio Francés de Nueva Orleans. A las víctimas, sus familias y toda la comunidad de Nueva Orleans, les enviamos nuestras más profundas condolencias y nuestro apoyo incondicional en este momento tan difícil. 🙏

En Stuffed Love, creemos en el poder de la compasión y la comunidad para ayudar a sanar incluso las heridas más profundas. En honor a los afectados, nos comprometemos a difundir aún más bondad y amor, porque frente a tanto dolor, cada acto de esperanza importa.

Pedimos a nuestra familia de Stuffed Love que se una enviando pensamientos, oraciones y apoyo a Nueva Orleans. Estemos juntos en solidaridad, ofreciendo consuelo y fuerza a quienes más lo necesitan. Si podemos hacer algo, estamos aquí.

❤️ Nueva Orleans, estás en nuestros corazones.

11/28/2024

🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Stuffed Love! 🦃🍂

Today, we reflect on the countless blessings our community brings to our lives. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our amazing volunteers, and the resilience of the families we serve. Together, you are the heart and soul of Stuffed Love. ❤️

This Thanksgiving, we were honored to distribute food, turkeys, and our signature Stuffed Love Heart Pillows—a little bit of comfort, love, and hope for those who need it most. 🧡 Your support has allowed us to deliver not just meals but also smiles and encouragement to so many in our community.

This Thanksgiving, we encourage you to let your loved ones know that you are thankful for them. That can be through words, gifts, hugs, time together, or acts of service. 💕 Every small gesture makes a world of difference.

As we gather with loved ones, let's remember the power of kindness and the difference a little bit of love can make. 🥧💛

From our Stuffed Love family to yours, we wish you a warm, joyful, and abundant Thanksgiving!

11/18/2024

🎉💖 Congratulations, Stuffed Love! 💖🎉

The Interact Club of Oak Lawn would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Stuffed Love on celebrating 14 incredible years of service to the community! Your unwavering commitment to ending hunger, spreading kindness, and creating hope through initiatives like the Stuffed Love Food Pantry exemplifies the true spirit of Service Above Self.

Your dedication inspires us all, and we are proud to stand alongside you in making a difference. Here's to 14 years of changing lives—and to many more years of love and impact ahead!

🎉 Happy 14th Anniversary, Stuffed Love! 🎉

It’s truly incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come over the past 14 years. What began as an idea in my eighth-grade homeroom has blossomed into a community food pantry, countless hand-stitched heart pillows, and a mission that has touched thousands of lives. Through it all, we’ve been dedicated to spreading “that little bit of hope,” and seeing how much we’ve grown fills my heart with gratitude.

Stuffed Love has been a part of my life for half of it, which is such a special thought! As I prepare to transition into the next chapter of my medical career—starting residency training in internal medicine-pediatrics this summer—I know that the lessons I’ve learned and the incredible people I’ve met through Stuffed Love will stay with me as I continue my journey as a physician.

This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without YOU. To all our supporters, volunteers, and partners, thank you for being a part of our journey. A special shout-out to Team CHD Illinois, The Holiday Heroes, Bricks of Hope, The Southwest Collective, AA Scaffolding John, All Exterior Contractors Geno & Larry, Park Lawn Charity, and UI Health, especially Sandi, for making a tremendous impact in year 14!

I’d also like to express my deepest gratitude to All Exterior Contractors Geno and our amazing artist Henry for helping us build the incredible Stuffed Love Food Pantry at 5522 S. Pulaski.

A huge thank you to our Stuffed Love Dream Team of volunteers: Alejandra (Alex), Camila, Chini, Connie, Damian, Esteban, Happy, Isaac, Joanna, Johan, John, Mami, Maria, Papi, Patty, and Tom. Your hard work, dedication, and selflessness are the heart and soul of Stuffed Love. 💛

Most of all, thank you to my dad, for running the Stuffed Love Food Pantry and being my mentor. Your unwavering dedication, guidance, and belief in our mission have been the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished. 💛

It’s a dream realized, and we’re so excited to celebrate with all of you at tonight’s distribution!

Here’s to continuing to grow and serve our communities. I can’t wait to see what year 14 brings! Thank you all for being a part of this journey. 💛

With gratitude,
Sarah Dynia
Founder/CEO, Stuffed Love



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🎉 ¡Feliz 14° Aniversario, Stuffed Love! 🎉

Es verdaderamente increíble reflexionar sobre cuánto hemos avanzado en estos 14 años. Lo que comenzó como una idea en mi clase de octavo grado se ha convertido en una despensa comunitaria, innumerables almohadas de corazón hechas a mano y una misión que ha tocado miles de vidas. A lo largo de todo esto, hemos estado dedicados a difundir “ese pequeño rayito de esperanza,” y ver cuánto hemos crecido llena mi corazón de gratitud.

Stuffed Love ha sido parte de mi vida durante la mitad de ella, ¡lo cual es un pensamiento muy especial! Mientras me preparo para la próxima etapa de mi carrera médica—comenzando mi residencia en medicina interna-pediátrica este verano—sé que las lecciones que he aprendido y las personas increíbles que he conocido a través de Stuffed Love seguirán conmigo mientras continúo mi camino como médica.

Este logro no habría sido posible sin USTEDES. A todos nuestros seguidores, voluntarios y socios, gracias por ser parte de este viaje. Un agradecimiento especial a Team CHD Illinois, The Holiday Heroes, Bricks of Hope, The Southwest Collective, AA Scaffolding John, All Exterior Contractors Geno & Larry, Park Lawn, y UI Health, especialmente Sandi, por tener un impacto tremendo en este año 14.

También quiero expresar mi más profundo agradecimiento a All Exterior Contractors Geno y a nuestro increíble artista Henry por ayudarnos a construir la increíble Despensa de Alimentos Stuffed Love en 5522 S. Pulaski.

Un enorme agradecimiento a nuestro Dream Team de voluntarios de Stuffed Love: Alejandra (Alex), Camila, Chini, Connie, Damian, Esteban, Happy, Isaac, Joanna, Johan, John, Mami, Maria, Papi, Patty y Tom. Su arduo trabajo, dedicación y altruismo son el corazón y el alma de Stuffed Love. 💛

Sobre todo, gracias a mi papá, por dirigir la Despensa de Alimentos Stuffed Love y ser mi mentor. Tu dedicación inquebrantable, orientación y creencia en nuestra misión han sido la base de todo lo que hemos logrado. 💛

Es un sueño hecho realidad, ¡y estamos muy emocionados de celebrarlo con todos ustedes en la distribución de esta noche!

Sigamos creciendo y sirviendo a nuestras comunidades. ¡Estoy emocionada por ver lo que traerá el año 14! Gracias a todos por ser parte de este viaje. 💛

Con gratitud,
Sarah Dynia
Fundadora/CEO, Stuffed Love

11/13/2024

🌍💖 Happy World Kindness Day! 💖🌍

Today, we celebrate the power of kindness and the impact of even the smallest acts of goodwill. Whether it's sharing a smile, lending a helping hand, or simply being there for one another, kindness connects us all and makes the world a better place.

Join us in spreading a little extra joy today: ✨ Share a meal ✨ Compliment someone ✨ Help a neighbor ✨ Volunteer your time ✨ Show gratitude to someone who’s made a difference in your life

Let’s fill our communities with love and compassion, one act at a time! ❤️ Together, we can make every day a little brighter. 🌞

10/31/2024

🎃✨ Wishing you a fun, happy, and safe Halloween! 🍬💜 Here are some gentle reminders for :

🗣Costume Safety: Choose bright, safe costumes to avoid tripping hazards.
🗣Stick Together: Keep your group small and stay close.
🗣Use Sidewalks: Stick to well-lit sidewalks and cross at crosswalks.
🗣Check Your Treats: Inspect candy and treats for tampering before enjoying.
🗣Respect Differences: Remember that not everyone celebrates Halloween the same way—be considerate of your neighbors.
🗣Plan Your Route: Map out your trick-or-treat route and share it with someone.
🗣Have Fun: Enjoy the spooky spirit and make great memories!

Happy Halloween! 🎉👻

10/30/2024

Drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children below the age of five during a week-long campaign.

Officials on Sunday urged parents to ensure their children receive anti-polio vaccines as Pakistan prepares for a nationwide inoculation drive from Monday amid a rising number of cases.

The drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children below the age of five during the campaign, which will run from October 28 to November 3, according to a statement.

“Parents are requested to fully cooperate with polio workers,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication, adding, “Parents must ensure vaccination of their children aged below five years.”

Pakistan has recorded 41 polio cases this year, underscoring the deepening crisis in one of only two countries, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic.

Drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children below the age of five during a week-long campaign