Over 80 attendees gather as organization honors the community with an elegant celebration
On Saturday, February 15th, Pour In held their 4th Annual Appreciation Celebration at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center, 10200 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago. With “Love” as this year’s theme and an elegant color scheme of pink, grey, and silver, the event brought together over 80 people from different organizations, sponsorships, community groups, families, and friends.
“Our appreciation celebration was amazing,” said Olessor Anthony, reflecting on the event’s success. “Our youth were excited even after the event—many calls and texts shared how important and caring they felt from the appreciation celebration.”
The impact extended beyond the celebration itself. Pour In’s mission centers on ensuring participants receive and feel the love shared through the organization’s work. “We try to get them as much love and resources, supporting them in ways that it may seem like there’s a boundary, so we believe in breaking boundaries,” Anthony explained.
Pour In operates on a simple but powerful model: “Say something, do something.” When the organization sees a need, they prepare to meet it. This philosophy drives their calendar of upcoming community events designed to provide practical support to families across Chicago.
Upcoming Events:
Pop-Up Clothing and Love Drive – March 28th: Pour In will distribute clothing, diapers, hygiene items, and children’s shoes to families in need. “We’ll be getting our clothing, diapers, hygiene items, kids’ items, maybe some shoes,” Anthony noted.
Resource Fair – April 4th: The organization will host a comprehensive resource fair connecting community members with services and support.
Back to School Bash – August 8th: Pour In’s first annual Back to School Bash will help families prepare for the new school year. More information will be released as the date approaches.
Anthony credits divine inspiration for the organization’s direction. “God gave me the idea: whatever you want to do, do it in love,” she shared. “So I think throughout the year, it’ll be centered around love.”
This love-centered approach isn’t abstract—it manifests in concrete action. The appreciation celebration demonstrated Pour In’s commitment to making community members feel valued and cared for, while the upcoming events will provide tangible resources families need.
“My role at Pour In is to support our vision, help my sisters, and aid God’s people. It requires effort, commitment, follow-up, love, and sacrifice. We also engage with women in the halfway house who are working to get their lives back on track,” Shimera Thomas-Slater explained.
The Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center provided an appropriate venue for the gathering, named after the late educator and activist who dedicated his life to community empowerment—values that align closely with Pour In’s mission of service and breaking boundaries to support those in need.
