Colleen’s Birthday-Inspired Food Bank Donation

Oct 13, 2020

Happy Birthday Colleen!

Colleen had long encouraged reaching out in practical ways to help. As a teenager, Colleen drove into the city of Chicago on the hottest day of the year to hand out water to the homeless. In the midst of their own grief, Colleen’s family made Colleen proud today. 

Colleen (far left) leading the way and inspiring donations in her college days.

To celebrate what would have been Colleen’s 28th birthday, Colleen’s family did what Colleen would do - think of others. The morning of Colleen’s birthday, her parents, Mike and Christine, made a Costco run to load up on food donations.

They then headed to an area food bank to donate their stack of boxes, each a gift in honor of Colleen’s giving spirit.

The food bank employees expressed surprise at the number of boxes emerging from the Gleason’s auto. They shared gratitude particularly because, due to the pandemic, needs are up while donations are down.

The family saw a large line of people waiting for help.