Winter 2025/2026
INSIDE • Features on amazing local non-profits and volunteers • Directory of organizations doing good work in our community
A PUBLICATION OF
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E D I S N I s ' t Wha 20 Anderson Humane 4 Cars of Hope Funding Project 22 The 6 Big Hearts of Fox Valley and Project Mobility 8 CASA Kane County 24 Kendall’s Kindness 10 Geneva History Museum 25 TriCity Family Services 12 Kane Senior Council 26 Valley Sheltered Workshop 14 Lazarus House 27 Fox Valley United Way 16 Living Well Cancer Resource Center 28 Fundraising in Today’s World 18 ComicBooks for Kids! 30 More Charities in Our Community
Thank you to our Generous sponsors:
PUBLISHER Laura Shaw (630) 709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kelley White kwhite@shawmedia.com ADVERTISING SALES Tricia Walter (630) 845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Megan Hampton CORRESPONDENTS Patricia MacMillan Patricia Szpekowski
TITLE SPONSOR: MY ADVISOR AND PLANNER The Bike Rack BG Hospitality Group DePaw Pet Resort The Funding Project Geneva Cabinet Gallery Hazen Insurance
Hogan Design and Construction Kane Senior Council McNally’s Heating & Cooling State Street Jewelers Tri-City Auto
Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31 Crystal Lake, IL 60014
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editor’s note Each and every year, it is my honor to help put this magazine together with our wonderful team here at Shaw. Not only do I love facilitating much-needed exposure to local nonprofits, but the idea of this magazine – giving back – is exemplified on every page through the selfless sponsorship of local businesses. The holidays have always been a time of cheer and charity for many of us. Love, giving and light illuminate our hometowns, and I can see it everywhere I go. Giving Back is a wonderful celebration of everything that makes this season special and bright. Even so, I gently urge you to consider keeping this one on your desk throughout the year and if there is ever a time you have a little more in your pockets, spread the love and look into donating or volunteering with one of these amazing organizations. My wise older sister has lived by the notion any gift, no matter how big or small, is a blessing – a sentiment that is the basis for this magazine. I hope Giving Back helps inspire someone, even if it is just one person, to start helping those who need it most. You never know the impact you have on a life. Thank you for reading,
Kelley White Kelley White, Editor
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CARS OF HOPE
Cars of Hope: Bringing Mobility, Dignity, and Independence to Local Families. Just imagine everyday life without a car. Commuting to work, running to the grocery store, getting to doctor’s appointments, or dropping children at school are all routines most of us take for granted. But for families who have fallen on hard times in the Western Suburbs, such reliable transportation may suddenly become out of reach. Public transit is limited or nonexistent. Without a car, holding a job, caring for children, or accessing critical services can be a daily struggle. That’s where Cars of Hope (COH) steps in. Founded by Naperville resident Romas Povilonis, this volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit repairs and refurbishes donated cars into reliable program cars they gift to others to change lives. This year, Cars of Hope proudly celebrated 15 years of helping underresourced families regain stability, independence, and dignity through reliable transportation. COH partners with social service agencies and nonprofits, including Safe Families for Children, Zion Covenant International, Hesed House, Sarah’s Inn, and Mutual Ground, which thoroughly vet potential automobile recipients. The agencies identify individuals like survivors of domestic violence, or families who are transitioning from homelessness to financial independence, who need a vehicle to move forward. Why Donate a Car to Cars of Hope? Unlike other organizations that request car
donations, COH uses all cars to serve its mission of providing automobiles to those who need them, rather than funding unrelated activities. All donated cars are either repaired for safe use or auctioned to raise funds to cover repair costs or to purchase more reliable cars. For that reason, COH accepts cars in any condition. “Cars in working order are the best donation, but we accept all cars because we can use them to raise funds for more reliable program cars,” said Povilonis. “It takes about ten donated cars to cover one program car for someone in need. In 2025, we gifted five program cars. Looking ahead, we hope to donate 30 program cars to people in need by the year 2030.” Donations come from many sources, but Povilonis says that seniors who no longer need their cars are their most valuable source. “Senior-owned vehicles are often exceptionally well-maintained, have lower mileage, and require far fewer repairs to become program cars,” he said. “Senior-owned cars get into the hands of our clients sooner.”
However, community members can help COH achieve their mission of reducing poverty by providing reliable automobiles to struggling families in three meaningful ways: 1. Donate a car – COH accepts vehicles in all conditions to either repair and gift to families or auction to help cover expenses. 2. Donate funds online – Monetary gifts are taxdeductible and help offset repairs and parts for program cars. Visit carsofhope.org. 3. Volunteer your skills – COH welcomes volunteers with skills in automobile repair, assessment, technology, communications, administration, and special events. Donating a car can truly change someone’s life. Having an automobile can be a family’s turning point, the difference between financial independence and prolonged poverty. Join Cars of Hope in their mission and donate a car today!
How Can You Help?
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Cars of Hope operates with a dedicated group of 11 volunteers, a dozen generous partner repair shops and transport partners, and 23 social service agencies. The organization has five generous corporate sponsors: Endurance Warranty, Caterpillar, Eaton, Enterprise Mobility, and Republic Bank.
Cars of Hope, 1635 Emerson Ln., Naperville (224) 216-2277 | carsofhope.org
Sponsored by: TRI CITY AUTO 4 | GIVING BACK | Winter 2025/2026 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 4
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YOU’RE DRIVING OUR REPUTATION HOME
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BIG HEARTS OF FOX VALLEY he Communities We Serve: GREATEST GIFT
& Cooling, we believe that one of the ve is to support the communities we dicated to investing in, volunteering al organizations to help strengthen ighborhoods we work within.
ow, McNally’s is proud to be named ny in Kane County. With over 2,000 amily-owned business continues to mmunity through dependable service uality installations.
Cooling keep your family warm with on and know that when you choose ping us give back to others in need.
o Big Hearts of Fox Valley for their porting children in District 303, ources and bringing joy to their lives Big Hearts of Fox Valley: Partnering with D303 to Support Local Kids in Crisis he holidays, but all year long.
Supporting children and families in St. Charles School District 303 who are struggling financially has never been more urgent. As an official School District 303 partner, Big Hearts of Fox Valley continues to bridge the widening gap between need and access, providing real relief for local families all year long.
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Founded by Minor and Jennifer Mobley, who also own Excel Automotive Repair in St. Charles, Big Hearts’ mission is simple but vital: to ease the financial stress that keeps children from thriving. “Every family we assist is referred directly by a D303 staff member,” says Jennifer Mobley, Executive Director. “That partnership means your donations reach the kids who truly need them—quickly and with dignity.” Programs that Meet the Moment Big Hearts of Fox Valley, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, focuses on targeted, practical support through three major programs:
• Christmas Gift Sponsorship – Each holiday season, Big Hearts ensures that children in need across D303 wake up to gifts chosen just for them. This year, we provided for 597 children—along with grocery store gift cards so families can share a holiday meal together.
“Every pair of shoes, every toothbrush, every backpack represents one less thing for a parent to worry about,” says Erin Wambango, Big Hearts Executive Committee member, “But it only happens because this community shows up—again and again.”
• Back-to-School Program – In August, 184 children received brand-new, grade-specific backpacks packed with supplies to help them start the school year ready to learn and feel confident walking through the classroom door.
How to Help Donations for any of Big Hearts’ programs can be dropped off during business hours inside Excel Automotive Repair, 1207 Foundry St., Suite A, St. Charles.
• Big Hearts Throughout the Year – This ongoing initiative meets the constant, quiet needs that don’t make headlines: food, clothing, shoes, hygiene essentials, and cleaning supplies for children ages birth through 18. Requests from D303 staff continue to climb each month, reflecting the growing number of families struggling to make ends meet. A Growing Need, A Community Response Since its founding in 2014, Big Hearts has provided direct assistance to over a thousand local children every year. This includes families from St. Charles, Wayne, Wasco, Elburn, West Chicago, South Elgin, Campton Hills, and unincorporated St. Charles. Rising costs and limited community resources mean demand is higher than ever—and Big Hearts is determined to meet it.
Together, we can make sure every child in D303 feels seen, supported, and set up for success. Monetary donations are what we need most right now. They allow us to purchase exactly what each child needs, right when they need it — no guessing, no delays. If you’re able to help, donations can be made directly on our website: www.bigheartsfv.org TO LEARN MORE, TO VOLUNTEER OR TO MAKE A MUCH NEEDED MONETARY DONATION Visit www.bigheartsfv.org or email Jennifer at info@bigheartsfv.org.
Sponsored by: McNALLY’S HEATING & COOLING
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Giving Back to the Communities We Serve: THE GREATEST GIFT At McNally’s Heating & Cooling, we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give is to support the communities we serve. Our team is dedicated to investing in, volunteering with, and uplifting local organizations to help strengthen families and neighborhoods we work within. For the fifth year in a row, McNally’s is proud to be named the Best HVAC Company in Kane County. With over 2,000 five-star reviews, our family-owned business continues to earn the trust of our community through dependable service and quality installations. Let McNally’s Heating & Cooling keep your family warm with comfort you can count on and know that when you choose McNally’s, you’re helping us give back to others in need.
A heartfelt thank you to Big Hearts of Fox Valley for their amazing work supporting children in District 303, providing essential resources and bringing joy to their lives not just during the holidays, but all year long.
630-363-9067 | WWW.MCNALLY .MCNALL HVA .MCNALLY V C.COM VA SM-CL2286344
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HELPING HAND HELPING HAND
WHY ARE CASA/GAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED?
CASA
When a family is experiencing crisis and becomes involved in the child welfare system, volunteer is appointed by a judge W H Y A Ra ECASA/GAL CASA/G AL A p p o i n t e d V O L U N T EtoE R advocate forEthe S NEED D ? best interest of the child.
Court Special Advocate
CASA
GAL
Court Appointed Special Advocate
The volunteer is a highly trained individual When a family is experiencing crisis and becomes involved infrom the child system,whose responsibility is the welfare community a CASA/GAL volunteer appointed bythe a judge to isget to know child, their foster parents, to advocate for the best interest of the child.
their family, and everyone else involved in the case, and report to the judge.
The volunteer is a highly trained individual from the community whose responsibility is Volunteers advocate to get to know the child, their foster parents,for the child’s safety, their family, and everyone else involved the permanency, andinwell-being while in foster care. case, and report to the judge.
Guardian Ad Litem
GAL
Guardian Ad Litem
VOLUNTEER
DONATE
Volunteers advocate for the child’s safety, permanency, and well-being while in foster care.
CONNECT
V O L U1 0N0 TS . ET HEI RR DONATE CONNECT D ST. | GENEVA, IL 60134 | 630-232-4484 | CASAKANECOUNTY.ORG 100 S. THIRD ST. | GENEVA, IL 60134 | 630-232-4484 | CASAKANECOUNTY.ORG
CCAASSA KKaanneeCCoounutynty
“Cases nearly doubled past “My fiveCASA “My CASAWe gave two things that can’t beofmeasured. “Cases have nearly doubled the past fivein the two things that can’t be measured. child(ren) and have speak toinall individuals involved, so gave me YouTube. areme also hosting a variety community years,” Jim Di Ciaula, Executive Director at CASA First, she gave me hope. She made me realize that I years,” Jim Di Ciaula, Executive Director at CASA First, she gave me hope. She made me realize that I they can advocate for each child’s best interests. As and fundraising events in 2026. There is something Kane County shares. The shares. number of children wasn’t just another “kid in thejust system,” that “kid thingsin the system,” that things Kane County The number of children wasn’t another a GAL, we have courtroom authority as a party to the for everyone! served in served 2019 was 332, andwas as of December would get that I could have a good life and get better, and that I could have a good life and inKane 2019 332, and asof1,offew December 1, better, andwould case, and CASA County is one programs 2024, CASA Kane County has already served over that I deserved a good life. Second, and most CASA Kane 2026 that I deserved a goodCounty’s life. Second, and Events most 2024, CASA Kane County has already served over in Illinois and across the nation with this high level of 650 children this year. The average length of each important, she believed in me. She believed I was a Save the Dates! important, she believed in me. She believed I was a 650 children this year. The average length of each responsibility. This is due to our strong partnership case is three years and child victims come from great person and I just had to get over some rough andI finally I juststarted had to get over some rough isand three years and child come with economic thecase Kane County juvenile court Wefrom spots. She believed ingreat every cultural background invictims thesystem. me soperson much that • March 7 – Children’s Champion Celebration Gala community. to believe thatShe wasbelieved when my life started spots. every economicpartnerships and cultural background in the in myself. And in me so much that I finally started value our community and continually to turn certainty not forAnd my CASA community. towith believe in myself. was when life started seek additional organizations and individuals whoaround. I •know March TBD –ifHoops forthat Hope: MarchmyMadness Debbie, Iin would not be I would be inwith certainty if not for my CASA “The of child to abuse a child andmake a mayeffects be looking gettoinvolved, a difference to here turntoday. around. I know for CASA jail …or worse.” -E.G.T., former youth in foster care community are long-lasting, and community their community, ways helpand promote “The effectsand/or of childfind abuse to to a child a Debbie, I would not be here today. I would be in support is the key component to the success of • April 9 – Hands Around the Court House (HATCH) their business. community are long-lasting, and community jail …or worse.” -E.G.T., former youth in foster care our children,” Di Ciaula notes. CASA Kane County is a non-profit, volunteer-driven CASA Kane County is a non-profit, volunteerCASA Kane County is dedicated to recruiting support is the key component to the success of driven organization, dedicated to advocating for • April 30 – Community Summit: Helping Families organization, dedicated to advocating for children Often, a child’s CASA/GAL volunteer is the oneadditional volunteers so that they can continue to our children,” Di Ciaula notes. children agesCounty birthabuse tois21, who have experienced CASA Kane a non-profit, volunteerThrive Through Early Intervention & Prevention who have experienced or neglect and are Get involvedperson with andinsupport mission come into theisJuvenile CASAwho Kane County dedicated to recruiting consistent their the lives theyby can countserve on.100% of children abuse placed or neglectinand are subsequently placed intrain, driven organization, dedicated torecruit, advocating for subsequently foster care. We attending or sponsoring an event! court due to abuse additional and/or neglect. If you areso that they can continue to They are the one individual that holds their history volunteers • May 2 – Derby Party foster care. We recruit, train, and supervise interested in finding out more information on childrenvolunteers ages birth who to 21,serve who as have and supervise theexperienced child’s with and the mission by and oftenGet theinvolved only person whosupport will remain with them serve 100% of children who come into the Juvenile volunteers who serve as the child's voice and the CASA Kane County 2025 Events becoming a volunteer, please visit our website voice and the judge’s eyes throughout the in for the duration of the case—which in Kane County abuse or neglect andand areears subsequently placed • May 17 – Countryside Clays for Kids judge's eyes and ears throughout the duration of attending or sponsoring an event! court March 1 – Children’s Champion Celebration Gala casakanecounty.org, emaildue us atto abuse and/or neglect. If you are durationfoster of their case juvenile care. Weinrecruit, and issupervise their case in juvenile court.train, Ourcourt. vision for every averages about 3 years. Annually, CASA Kane County interested in finding out more information on April 3 – Hands Around The Court House (HATCH) info@casakanecounty.org call–630-232-4484. If Invitational • Augustor24 Golf for a Child volunteers who serve child entering foster careas in the Kanechild's Countyvoice to be and the advocates for about 650 children. We currently have May 18 – Countryside Clays for Kids CASA Kane County 2025 Events volunteering is not right for you, consider donating becoming a volunteer, please visit our website Our vision is forineyes every child foster in of placed a safe, nurturing, and permanent home. judge's and earsentering throughout the care duration August 18 –CASA/GAL Golf for1a–Child Invitational 200 active volunteers and need about 50 or helping CASA•spread the word 24 on social media. September – Clays for Kids March Children’s Champion Celebration Gala casakanecounty.org, email us at Kane County to be placed in a safe, nurturing, and We envision all children be equipped their case inthat juvenile court.willOur vision is for every more September 7 – War Wheels: Cruisin’ forofCASA to meet the growing needThe children April 3 –on Hands Around Court Houseentering (HATCH) info@casakanecounty.org or call 630-232-4484. If permanent We envision all children withhome. the tools, resources, andthat support to thrive, will September 25 – Clays for Kids September War on Wheels: Cruisin’ for CASA child entering foster care in Kane County to be View more •information onTBD our –website: the system. May 18 – Countryside Clays for Kids lead fulfilled and happy lives, and reduce the volunteering is not right for you, consider donating be equipped with the tools, resources, and support to October 4 – Bourbon Social placed in a safe, nurturing, and permanent home. casakanecounty.org likelihood of repeating the cycle abuse. 18 – GolfConference for a Child Invitational or helping spread Social the word on social media. thrive, lead fulfilled and happy livesof and reduce the • October 24CASA – Bourbon October 16August – Fall If you would likeEducational to get involved, there are many We envision that all children will be equipped 7 –Luncheon War on Wheels: Cruisin’ for CASA likelihood of repeating the cycle of abuse. November 6September – Superheroes
THTEHE R O F G IN T A C R O O V F D A G ADVOCATINCHILDREN ICE OOFF CHILDREN VOIC VO FEOSTER CARE IN CARE
IN FOSTER
with the tools, resources, and support to thrive, fulfilled and happy lives,Special and reduce the “CASA” lead stands for Court Appointed likelihood repeating thevolunteers, cycle of abuse. Advocates, who areofcommunity 10 | GIVING | Winterstaff, 2023/2024 supervised byBACK our professional and appointed by the juvenile court judge. They visit with the
ways to Volunteer, Donate or Connect! Scan the QR • November 5 – information Super Heroes Event September 25 – Clays for Kids Sponsored GALLERY ViewCABINET more on our website: code and/or visit our website to learn more! Learn by: GENEVA October 4 – Bourbon Social View more information on our website casakanecounty.org about what it takes to become a Volunteer advocate, October 16 Educational Conference at: https://casakanecounty.org/ Donate to support our– Fall mission, and/or Connect by November 6 – Superheroes Luncheon attending an event or follow our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, and Sponsored by: GENEVA CABINET GALLERY
Sponsored by: GENEVA CABINET GALLERY
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From custom cabinets to full remodels — Geneva Cabinet Gallery can transform your entire home
630.232.9500 | www.genevacabinetgallery.com | 321 Stevens St, Geneva
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GENEVA HISTORY MUSEUM
Geneva History Museum: INSPIRING and ENGAGING the community To many, a town’s history is just a date on a plaque or a book on a shelf. But for the Geneva History Museum, that history isn’t just in the books, it’s in the bricks, streets and people. As a vital nonprofit, the museum has a clear mission. “It is to promote, preserve and share Geneva’s evolving story while inspiring and engaging the community,” says Executive Director Terry Emma. This work, which receives no tax dollars and relies entirely on individuals, grants and community partners like State Street Jewelers, has been given new life. Emma explained that this individual support is the museum’s lifeblood. “While grants are helpful, they usually only pay for projects,” she said. “They don’t help pay the lights… It’s the individuals who believe in what we’re doing here.” The best place to start is the main gallery. It’s designed for every level of interest, from a 10-minute overview to a deep dive. “You could
spend a good hour visiting in that gallery,” Emma noted, pointing to one of the most popular features: a replica of the historic Fargo Theatre, now called the Geneva Theatre. “You can sit in a little booth underneath, and you can choose from different movies,” she says. The films are short, heartwarming and sometimes funny interviews with locals, including one about a worm race at the library in the 1980s.
computers, created right in Geneva. “They don’t even realize they’re learning, because they’re just having a good time,” Emma said. The museum’s work extends beyond its walls. The Geneva on Wheels program, a driving tour of the town’s historic spots, takes residents to the exact places where history happened, from the site of a John F. Kennedy speech to the homes of significant figures.
Making history come alive is a personal mission for Emma. She led a complete transformation, beginning in 2013, by looking at the museum through a fresh visitor’s eyes, noting it felt very vanilla. Gone were the dated “hunter green and bronze” colors, replaced by a vibrant teal. The new color is itself a nod to history, inspired by the greenish patina of the courthouse’s statue.
Ultimately, the museum provides a crucial anchor for the community. “If you don’t understand where you came from, you never know where you’re going,” Emma says. “It’s important for people not to be complacent and think that they already know the story, because there’s way more to it. I learn all the time, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The result of the transformation is a vibrant, interactive space, right down to the bright teal rebranding. Visitors can even play “Transylvania,” a vintage game on one of the first Apple Macintosh
Visitors can find the museum at 113 S 3rd Street. To explore these stories, plan your visit or support the museum’s mission through membership and donations, be sure to visit their website.
Sponsored by: STATE STREET JEWELERS 10 | GIVING BACK | Winter 2025/2026 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 10
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COMPLIMENTARY CLEANING, QUOTES, AND CONSULTATIONS
JEWELRY AS UNIQUE AS YOUR STORY VISIT US TODAY AND LET US HELP TELL YOUR LOVE STORY
630.232.2085 | 230 W STATE ST, GENEVA, IL | WWW.STATESTREETJEWELERS.COM Winter 2025/2026 | GIVING BACK | 11 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 11
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KANE SENIOR COUNCIL
KANE SENIOR COUNCIL: OFFERING A WIDE VARIETy OF SERVICES for seniors in kane county The Kane Senior Council and DuPage Senior Citizens Council, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is successfully filling the gap and is serving seniors who reside throughout Kane County within its 16 Townships from the southern edge at Aurora Township to the north in Dundee Township. The highest concentration of service for the Kane Senior Council for home delivered meals is found in Aurora, Elgin, and Carpentersville, where 99% of senior adults served are at the poverty level. On Mondays through Fridays over 725 senior adults receive daily home delivered meals. The DuPage Senior Citizens Council was formed as a member organization in 1975 and changed in the 80s to a volunteer model. Marylin Krolak, executive director of the Kane Senior Council and DuPage Senior Citizens Council, said that in 2018, it took over the former Salvation Army Golden Diners and extended its service area as the Kane Senior Council in Kane County. It has recently opened a new location at 418-B Airport Road, near Route 31 and I-90, in Elgin. Marylin has a personal passion for helping seniors. “I started working here to help computerize the
DuPage Senior Citizens Council 25 years ago and after a few years became the director of programs and operations. I lost my parents when I was in my 30s and being involved here helped me to stay connected with seniors.” “We offer a wide number of services,” says Marylin, “including meals on wheels, well-being checks, health and wellness education and activities, plus four in-person senior dining sites in Aurora, Elgin, and Batavia.” Seniors can also sign up for a special Senior Dine Card through Kane Senior Council to have lunch at Nikarry’s Restaurant in Aurora. As other nonprofit organizations, the fuel and energy to provide all these services to seniors through the Kane Senior Council is provided by a very dedicated core of 200+volunteers. In each of the communities served, volunteers are needed for help in delivering meals, in-person dining, well-being checks, senior activities, such as dance parties, and more. Marylin also notes that volunteers deliver meals with co-workers, too, during their lunch hours. “We are in most need for volunteers in Aurora, Dundee, Carpentersville, Elgin, and South Elgin and would love to hear
from anyone who is interested in helping us.” The Kane Senior Council is dedicated to friendraising and one of its key fundraisers is an annual golf outing, Champions for Charity, at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton that is made possible with supportive sponsorships. “We fill our foursomes to the maximum and have a full day of fun with golfing, food, music, silent and live auctions, and raffles,” adds Marylin. Kane Senior Council is all about serving with a purpose and “neighbors helping neighbors”.
The Kane Senior Council will be celebrating the 50th anniversary soon. The council asks if you or someone you know has been involved with DSCC as a volunteer, staff member, board or committee member, or a senior who received services, please contact the council at anniversary@ dupageseniorcouncil.org to help tell the organization’s story.” To get involved and help local seniors through volunteering and donations, visit the website at www.kaneseniorcouncil.org.
Sponsored by: KANE SENIOR COUNCIL 12 | GIVING BACK | Winter 2025/2026 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 12
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t a i n r g b e l e C
50 Years Volunteer
Together, we can continue to ensure seniors receive essential services for generations to come.
www.KaneSeniorCouncil.org
Donate
630-338-0999
SM-CL2286343
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lazarus house
laZarus house: provides shelter during life’s storms Families nationwide are struggling with incomes that are far less than needed to pay for housing and basic needs. For these families, it does not take much to force them into homelessness – rent increases, physical and mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, or the loss of financial assistance are just some of the common causes. Homelessness among families is rising nationwide and that includes Kane County. Last fiscal year, Lazarus House in St. Charles saw another increase in the total number of shelter nights provided to children and their families; at one point in early spring, a third of our capacity were children.
Lazarus House has been blessed to step in and help 184 individuals just last fiscal year, providing a total of 19,154 nights of shelter and over 57,462 meals to those in the community in need. In the same year, the Homeless Prevention programs assisted 162 individuals avoid homelessness with one-time or on-going, rental or utility assistance through grants and operational funding. These numbers are increasing year over year since the pandemic began to wind down. Although we are proud to be able to respond to an increased need in the community, we would prefer our numbers, and homelessness in general to be decreasing, but that is not the case.
Lazarus House is so fortunate to be amongst such a caring community of neighbors willing to help their neighbors. If you know someone who needs shelter, encourage them to call Lazarus House at 630-587-2144. If you are in a position to help, please consider a monetary donation and/or urgent needs we keep updated on our website: www.lazarushouse.net. If interested in learning more about the different opportunities to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@lazarushouse.net. Without the generous support of this community, Lazarus House would not be able to continue to provide help to those in need.
Lazarus House offers Emergency Shelter, a Center for Transitional Living and Homeless Prevention services to individuals connected to Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and western rural Kane County by previous address, employment or immediate family member. Its mission is to offer guests connected to these communities, who are experiencing homelessness or at risk, hope for the future by providing hospitality, food, safe shelter, and education – tools for life.
Homelessness happens in all communities, across all cultures and within all age groups. Homelessness is a period in someone’s life, not an identity. Lazarus House believes everybody deserves a soft place to land, using their three core values of community, support and dignity to guide decisions and actions, Lazarus House is; community-based support honoring the dignity of all.
We wish to thank you, our local community, for being an integral part of this change. Through the time, talent and donations of so many, we can attempt to meet the needs of each individual or family no matter what circumstances bring them to our door. YOU create change in our community!
Sponsored by: HAZEN insurance AGENCY, INC.
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Offering you the Best Advice, the Best Coverage at the Best Rates AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE
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SM-CL2286739
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living well Cancer resource center
living well cancer resource center: WE’RE HERE TO HELP A cancer diagnosis is more than a medical event. It’s a shift that impacts every corner of a person’s life, creating a need for emotional support and physical wellness. It’s a journey filled with uncertainty, but for over 20 years, Living Well Cancer Resource Center (Livingwellcrc.org ) has ensured no one has to go through it alone. Operating as a nonprofit under Northwestern Medicine, Living Well provides a range of supports to anyone diagnosed with cancer, at no cost. From its locations in Geneva, Warrenville and Orland, plus virtually, the center has provided over 383,000 participant visits, reaching people in 287 counties across the country. This work is being championed by community partners like BG Hospitality Group. The center’s support begins by creating a safe space for patients emotionally, one with a “spalike atmosphere” with natural light and water features, designed not to feel like a doctor’s office. “This diagnosis is very hard,” said Candy DomkeHochberg, Operations Administrator for Living Well. One participant’s feedback to Candy shows this
goal: “…the center allows him to just be himself for that hour of time. He doesn’t have to worry about his diagnosis… he can just be.” To help patients, Living Well provides 20 free counseling sessions per person, including children. It also hosts numerous support groups for specific diagnoses and situations. That sense of community is also found throughout their art classes, where participants naturally connect. “One person will come in and be like, ‘Oh, I was nauseated today,’” Candy said. “And then someone else will be like, ‘Oh, well, did you try this?’” Living Well also focuses on healing the body, offering specialized services tailored to the physical realities of cancer treatment. In the teaching kitchen, dietitians host nutrition classes for eating well during treatment. Fitness classes and individualized exercise programs help participants safely regain strength and stamina. Touch therapies, including massages and facials, are offered by therapists trained to work with chemo ports and lymphedema. The center even provides free wigs, with a recent
$12,000 sponsorship goal from BG Hospitality Group being able to fund over 130 wigs. Their philosophy is simple, to remove every barrier possible for care. “It’s important to us,” said Candy. “We had a patient who walked in, came for a wig, gave the credit card, and we were like, ‘No, this service is no cost.’ And she was like, ‘I’ve never heard cancer and no cost in the same sentence.’ That’s why we do it.” By offering nearly all programs in a hybrid virtual format, including the fitness classes, participants can join from home if they aren’t feeling well enough to travel, ensuring support is always within reach. For anyone navigating a cancer diagnosis, the first step is a simple phone call or website visit. This community resource is free to all, thanks to support from sponsors and individual donations. To learn how you can help, volunteer or donate, visit the website. The center also accepts in-kind donations like knitted hats, port pillows, and items from their Amazon wish list. At Living Well Cancer Resource Center, no one has to walk this path alone.
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DINE + DONATE
R E A C H YO U R GOALS WITH US! Visit w w w. t h e b g h g r o u p . c o m / f u n d r a i s e r to learn how we help support your favorite organization. Earn 20% of the net proceeds on dine-in or carryout brought in by your guests, which will be donated to your 501(c)(3).
O u r C o m m u n i t y Fo c u s : Education · Feeding the Hungry Active Lifestyles (sports teams, etc) · Pet Welfare Business Development + Entrepreneurship Everything Else...
love to eat | love to serve | love our community
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comicbooks for kids
comicbooks and pop culture toys for hospitalized children/military ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K.org) is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to provide comic books and pop culture toys and books to kids and teens in hospitals and cancer centers across North America. Supporting all demographics, they gift coloring books, children’s books, Pez, pop culture items, plush, Funko toys, T-shirts and of course, comic books. In 2017 they had a simple desire to provide comic books to children and teens to alleviate stress and anxiety. They achieved their goal by sending 1,000 items to 20 hospitals and by 2018 had significantly grown their donations to 10,000 items in 110 hospitals. CB4K can now proudly say they are the largest charity in North America in this space supporting over 200 hospitals. To date, the charity has shipped over half a million comic books and pop culture items across North America. Beyond helping those in hospitals, CB4K is most concerned with reaching anyone where these items can make a difference. “When it comes to kids, we don’t draw a line. We just help.” When two orphanages reached out to CB4K, they were added to the program. When a Washington State program supporting disabled children reached out, they
were added as well. When the Children’s Hospital Association asked them to sponsor their annual event to lawmakers lobbying for medical care for children in need, they didn’t hesitate. The team works every day, full time and the shipping never stops. A remarkable six-year-old named Gabe, born with a congenital heart defect, is one of the many children who have been helped by ComicBooks for Kids! and their mission to generate happiness with comics and pop culture fun. Children like Gabe, who are faced with a tough situation, get the chance to escape their reality for a while and just be a kid, holding an adventure in their hands and wonderment in their eyes. Now, hundreds of thousands of kids have been blessed with this opportunity. This past fall, CB4K received palettes of donations of comic books, Funko Pops and graphic novels and immediately started sending them across the country, ensuring no child would be without friendly and colorful reading materials. ComicBooks For Kids! is a 501(C)3 organization and takes zero compensation for their efforts. They work closely with retailers, distributors, publishers, and consumers of the comic book industry to procure
inventory and income. This makes it possible for them to provide their numerous donations to the hospitals and medical centers in need of them. Additionally, comic books that are received and thought to be above a child’s reading level or where the content is too mature are provided to the military through their sister non-profit organization ComicBooks For Troops (CB4T.ORG). With this approach, all donated materials are utilized. Just this year alone, ComicBooks For Troops has delivered over 100,000 comic books to all branches of the armed services becoming the largest charity in this space within the US. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is simply to contribute requested items or monetary donations. Even a $25.00 contribution means CB4K can ship books to a hospital. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for consideration; please visit their website for more information to learn more. Be a part of something invaluable and help provide a wondrous escape to kids and teens who need a little bit of light in their lives. In the words of ComicBooks For Kids!, “Maybe we can’t change the world, but your support is helping change that child’s world.”
Sponsored by: hogan design & construction 18 | GIVING BACK | Winter 2025/2026 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 18
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WE SIMPLY GO
BEYOND
BUILDING KITCHENS BATHS BASEMENTS ADDITIONS
Award-Winning, Custom, Design-Build Luxury Residential Remodeling and Home Building. (630) 991 8700 hdcbuild.com
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ANDERSON HUMANE
GET INVOLVED
BRINGING PEOPLE & ANIMALS TOGETHER FOR GOOD
Adopt: Give a dog, cat, or small critter a new home.
For six decades, Anderson Humane has been a lifeline for animals and the people who love them. What began in 1964 as a small shelter has grown into a comprehensive animal-welfare organization that serves more than 10,000 animals and community members every year. Yet our mission remains beautifully simple: people and pets are better together. Every day, we work to make that belief a reality. From adoptions and fostering to wildlife rehabilitation, humane education, and our Short-Term Animal Welfare crisis foster program, our goal is to support families human and animal - through every challenge. We provide low-cost veterinary care, behavior support, and community resources that help pets stay in homes and out of shelters. And when emergencies happen, we are there too, responding to hoarding cases and urgent wildlife rescues. Anderson Humane is more than a shelter. We are a community of compassion. Join us in continuing a 60year legacy of kindness. Learn more at ahconnects.org.
Foster: Save lives by providing temporary care. Volunteer: From walking dogs to assisting with wildlife care or events, your time makes a difference. Donate: Gifts of any size support lifesaving programs, medical care, and crisis services for members of our community.
SPONSORED BY: DEPAW PET RESORT
Sponsored by: DEPAW PET RESORT 20 | GIVING BACK | Winter 2025/2026 KCC-Giving Back 122525.indd 20
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Join us in
GIVING BACK
6 to our local communities in 2025!
DONATIONS Donate gently worn prom dresses for those in need in conjunction with our Puppy Prom Every holiday meal purchased we will donate a meal to one of 3 local rescues Donating over 60 complimentary raffle baskets to park districts, chamber of commerce, and school events
WORKING TOGETHER Working with rescue dogs to overcome obstacles to make them more adoptable Holding supply drives for local shelters and foster families Raising funds to support medical assistance for retired police and military K9s
Follow us!
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Sponsored by: THE BIKE RACK 12/5/25 1:14 PM
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kendall’s kindness
KENDALL’s Kindness: practicing simple acts of kindness Kindness is one of the most powerful acts in the world and Kendall’s Kindness is extraordinary. Kendall’s family has established Kendall’s Kindness, a non-profit organization, to honor Kendall’s kind and loving spirit. They are hoping to spread her warmth and love throughout the community with simple acts of kindness. Kendall Maffia was a beautiful, adventurous and exceedingly talented young artist with incredible compassion and empathy for others. Even in photographs, her dynamic and vibrant energy can’t be ignored. On October 11, 2021, Kendall tragically lost her life to suicide. “Kendall was always passing on kindness to others, and we wanted to find a way to continue her legacy,” says Kim Maffia. Through Kendall’s Kindness, Kendall’s positivity and constant thoughtfulness for other people lives on in a variety of ways. “We have partnered with Random Acts Matter in St. Charles, The Boys and Girls Club, Batavia Popcorn Depot and several local schools to help spread her message,” says Maffia. Hurley & Volk, a local orthodontist, wears “Be the Reason Someone Smiles” shirts every month on the 12th and passes out cookies from Sweetness Cookie Company with Kendall’s “Be Kind - Pass It On” logo for their clients and partnering dentists.” Batavia Popcorn Depot selects a customer each month who has shown kindness and they are awarded a bag of popcorn. Sweetness Cookie Company gives out Kendall cookies to customers on the 12th
and also on Kendall’s Birthday. “Currently, we are promoting a new random act of kindness on the 12th of every month, in honor of Kendall’s birthday on June 12th,” says Kim. “Then, those same acts of kindness get passed on and on. It’s not really about spending money; it’s just about being kind and thinking of people and doing nice things for people.” On October 9th, 2024 the Maffia family, with the help of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, St. Charles Arts Council, Fox.Build Makerspace and the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Kendall’s Kindness mural in St. Charles. The mural “Blue Eyes and Butterflies” was created by Geneva-based artist Catherine Tilly. This mural is a gift to the community from the Maffia’s Foundation with hopes it will inspire kindness and connection within the community, and for all to be reminded to “Be Kind – Pass It On.” The Maffia Family was awarded a civic image award from the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce in May 2025 for their mural. For the past three years, to honor Kendall on her birthday, the Maffia Family has organized a 5K memorial birthday walk. They invited family and friends to come out and celebrate, and over 200 people attended the first year which exceeded their expectations. The family has scheduled another 5K walk for June 7, 2026.
Beyond promoting kindness, Kendall’s Kindness also addresses mental health awareness, a topic close to the Maffia family. The organization aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and depression, while raising funds for local mental health support groups and suicide prevention initiatives. Additionally, Kendall’s Kindness offers 2- $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from St. Charles North and/or East High Schools who plan to pursue art degrees, reflecting Kendall’s passion for the arts. A total of 5 scholarships have been awarded since 2023. As the organization grows, Kim hopes that Kendall’s sparkle continues to touch the community and create many random acts of kindness. “It’s always so nice to hear how others are passing on Kendall’s Kindness. It could be paying for someone’s coffee or just spreading a little cheer that day. A friend once told me she’s trying to be a kinder person like Kendall.” “The community’s involvement really helps us get through each day,” says Maffia. “It is helping, and it is impacting people.” Please follow us on our social media platforms: KendallsKindness.com, kendalls_kindness, or on our Facebook page Kendall’s Kindness – Be Kind Pass It On, and follow our calendar of events at https://kendallskindness.com/events.
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TRICity family services
Tricity family services: a trusted partner for families Every day, people of all ages reach out to TriCity Family Services (TCFS) for support, understanding, and hope. As one of Kane County’s leading providers of mental health care, we’re proud to walk beside children, teens, adults, seniors and families on their journey toward emotional wellness. At TCFS, our mission is simple yet powerful—to provide quality mental health services that are accessible and affordable. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal and thrive, regardless of income or circumstance. For six decades, TriCity Family Services has been a trusted partner for families throughout the Fox River Valley. Our team of compassionate professionals offers therapy for individuals, couples, and families, as well as Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for eating disorders, Emotional Wellness workshops and support groups, an Employee Assistance Program, and our Wilderness Challenge Program for youth. In the past year alone, TCFS provided more than 40,000 hours of mental health services—and the need continues to grow. Many clients are facing
increasingly complex challenges, making it more important than ever that our therapists have the time and resources to deliver personalized, evidencebased care. We’re also proud to work hand-in-hand with other community partners, including the Kane County Health Department, to connect clients with essential supports such as food, housing, and medical care. And each holiday season, generous volunteers and donors help provide Thanksgiving gift cards and Christmas baskets packed with essentials for families in need— reminding us that caring for one another strengthens the entire community. Mental health care is essential year-round, but the holidays can be especially difficult. If you or someone you know is struggling, we’re here to help. You can begin with a free, anonymous Online Mental Health Screening or call our office to take the first step toward wellness. Learn more, request services, or support our mission at www.tricityfamilyservices.org. Together, we can build a thriving, compassionate community where everyone has access to the care they need.
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valley sheltered workshop
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fox valley united way
FOX VALLEY UNITED WAY: Investing in essential programs Fox Valley United Way has an unprecedented situation with the current economic climate. Some families are not responding to appeals for assistance out of fear. Others are less willing to give specific information as to their needs because of uncertainty. Families who were once stable are now struggling to keep food on the table, pay rent, and provide basic necessities for their children. The ripple effect of economic hardship is real—and it’s happening right here in your community. Fox Valley United Way is committed to ensuring that all families in your communities have equitable access to opportunities and resources supporting positive health, youth opportunity, and community resiliency. Through programs such as 2-1-1, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, SPARK (kindergarten readiness initiative), Grant Making, and Holiday Assistance, they aim to provide resources to those seeking financial security. 2-1-1 - The number you call when you need answers in times of crisis or everyday necessities. SPARK Early Childhood Collaboration Partnership with area school districts and local social service agencies aiming to ensure that all children receive quality preschool education. Additionally,
they provide parents with access to local resources and opportunities to help them lay the foundation for their child’s future success in school and beyond. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – Literacy program that mails children enrolled a free, highquality, age-appropriate book each month from birth to age five regardless of income level. Grant Making - Financial support to partners with local social service agencies to advance a shared agenda. These Partner Agencies provide direct services and resources to your neighbors in need. Holiday Assistance – Matching families in need with holiday presents donated by community members given a list of requests for the sake of spreading joy. These programs support school readiness, healthy families, and positive financial outcomes for families residing in Kane and Kendall Counties. Fox Valley United Way is always looking for donors, volunteers, and advocates who share their passion for making a difference. If you are a businesses, give your employees an opportunity to contribute financially to social services agencies that support your community through a Workplace Giving Campaign.
If you would like to get involved in one of our many drives, please visit their website at FoxValleyUnitedWay.org/host-drive. Food, diapers, books, socks, toys, or blankets, no matter the time of year, there is an opportunity ahead to make a difference and donate new in-kind objects that will make a difference. Upcoming events include Dolly’s Birthday Dance on Thursday, January 15th at 5:30 pm at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. $34 purchases hot appetizers, open bar, 2 raffle tickets, and line dancing instruction all in benefit of the Imagination Library program. Save the date for Mom Made Me Do This 5K on Sunday, May 3rd at Mastodon Lake in Phillips Park. And finally be on the lookout for their annual Ice Cream Social at the end of June as a recap of their previous fiscal year. Remember, United is the Way. Donate today.
CONTACT INFORMATION 44 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60505 info@foxvalleyuintedway.org (630) 896-4636 | foxvalleyuintedway.org
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Fundraising in today’s world
Q & A with Tammy Simmons from The Funding Project and Project Mobility
1. How does fundraising fit into the overall operations and mission delivery of The Funding Project and Project Mobility? Fundraising is what keeps both organizations going, but the way we go about it is different for each one. Project Mobility has been operating since 2002, and fundraising is directly tied to our ability to fulfill our mission— every dollar we raise goes to either our adaptive bike giveaways, where we provide adaptive bikes for children, adults, and wounded veterans with disabilities, or to the experiences we provide at rehab facilities, schools, and hospitals. To achieve those goals, we’ve centered our efforts on a couple of major annual events that both raise funds and serve as bike distribution days that raise our visibility and demonstrate our impact. The Funding Project is newer and still building, so the fundraising for it serves a dual purpose: it funds the distribution of our books and care packs to NICU families and families with medically complex children, while at the same time demonstrating the exact same fundraising principles we teach. We’re essentially modeling the solutions we provide to others. In both cases, fundraising isn’t separate from operations—it’s a part of everything we do. 2. What does a “successful year” look like for your fundraising efforts? Success looks different depending on which organization you’re talking about. For Project Mobility, a successful year means raising enough to provide 50-75 adaptive bikes through our Everybody Rides and Hops for Hope 5K events, as well as our newer Long Table Dinner. It also provides enough for us to continue and hopefully expand our operational capacity. But success goes beyond the dollars: It means deepening our relationships with repeat donors and sponsors who understand our long-term impact. In the long run, we gauge our success by the number of families we serve and whether the community enjoys our events so that we can keep expanding engagement.
For The Funding Project, we’re focused on building the foundation of the charity. A successful year means distributing our NICU Funding Guide to more hospital social workers, expanding our network of healthcare partners, and establishing recurring revenue streams— even modest ones. It’s also about building brand recognition so families know where to turn when facing overwhelming medical expenses. Building a charity is a long game, so success involves building website traffic, increasing the number of downloads of the guide, and getting testimonials from the families we’ve helped that will help us grow. 3. What are the most effective fundraising strategies your organizations have found in recent years? The most effective strategy has been creating fundraising events that combine teaching people about our mission with community fun. Our Hops for Hope 5K and BrewFest are perfect examples—participants get a great, familyfriendly experience while literally having the opportunity to see children receive life-changing adaptive bikes during the event. People don’t just donate; they see heart-warming, inspiring moments. That immediate impact creates a powerful emotional connection and drives repeat participation. We’ve been so successful with this approach that we’re expanding on it in an exciting way: This year, we’ll be hosting an Over the Edge rappelling event. It will be held in mid-April, right here in St. Charles. Participants will rappel down a building while raising funds for adaptive bikes and for the families who need our guides. It’s another example of creating memorable experiences that generate both excitement and meaningful support. Still, 2025 has been a tough year for charities all over the country. Several of our traditional donors stepped back, and our brewery partners faced their own challenges. Realizing that =we can’t rely on our large events alone, we introduced a whole new way of giving with our weekly “Let’s Find the Queen” progressive 50/50 raffle. It’s held right in one of the most popular venues in the
area, and it keeps both organizations top-of-mind in the community, provides consistent revenue between major events, and requires minimal overhead. It’s been surprisingly effective – people love the excitement of potentially winning while helping a worthy cause. We’ve also found that word-of-mouth fundraising can make a big difference, especially for The Funding Project. When families we’ve helped share their stories and fundraise on our behalf, the authenticity shines through. No amount of marketing or public relations can beat that. 4. Have you noticed a shift in what donors respond to—like storytelling, impact metrics, or personal connections? Absolutely. Storytelling has always been incredibly important to nonprofit fundraising, but there’s been a clear shift toward proving the authenticity and impact of what we do. Donors—especially younger ones—want to see specific outcomes from the money they give. Emotional appeals aren’t enough. They respond to “this $3,000 bike enabled Jacob to ride with his siblings for the first time” much more than general statements about serving people with disabilities. That being said, the way people connect with stories has changed, too. Posting on social media is just as important as written stories. We’ve always relied on showing bikes being delivered in real-time, but being able to share it over and over again on social media now generates much more engagement. People see the power of the moment and want to be part of it. The one thing I want to stress is that, for all these changes, face-to-face relationships and a personal touch are still the most important way to keep our mission going. Handwritten thank-you notes and personal phone calls to major donors matter more than ever, even though it’s gotten harder to get hold of them. People give to people, and that hasn’t changed—it’s just that now they also want to see measurable impact alongside the personal connection.
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5. How do you balance traditional fundraising with digital campaigns or social media giving? This is an ongoing challenge, especially for organizations that have been around for different lengths of time. Project Mobility has strong traditional fundraising— our events draw hundreds of people, and we have established corporate sponsors and individual donors. We use digital tools to amplify these efforts, and rely on social media promotions, our website, and email campaigns for event registration, for expanding our donor list, and even for online access to our raffle. The Funding Project is more digitally oriented, in large part because we obviously can’t bring people into the hospitals and rehab facilities to see people receive the guidebooks. Instead, we rely on social media to share family stories and fundraise, keeping an active presence on Facebook and other platforms where our target audience (parents of medically complex children) spend time online, and offering them easy ways to share our digital content to drive donations. We do know that our social media presence drives attendance at our events, and that our email campaigns bring donors to our website, where they can learn more and give online. The balance isn’t 50/50—it’s about using each channel for what it does best and keeping people on the donation journey. 6. What advice would you give a small or newer nonprofit for developing a more robust fundraising strategy? Start by focusing on relationships instead of dollars. The Funding Project is living proof of this—our donor base has been built one connection at a time. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Define your niche and mission clearly, deliver on it passionately, and your impact will speak for itself. Second, make sure you have multiple revenue streams early, even if they’re small ones. Just like what I teach in all of the Funding Guides, it’s a mistake to put all your eggs in one basket and depend on a single big event or major donor. For Project Mobility, we’ve expanded beyond our long-time successful events, the Hops for Hope 5K and Everybody Rides, to include a diverse range of fundraisers like our Queen raffle and our upcoming Over the Edge rappelling event in April. The more offerings you have, the more protected you are when— not if—a stream you’ve relied on dries up. Third, make sure you have a way to build storytelling into your approach from Day One. Dedicate yourself to collecting photos, videos, and testimonials. Make sure you have permission to share stories and then spread them around. The bigger your library of compelling content, the better you can show your impact to potential donors. Plus, it will be incredibly helpful when it comes time to submit grant applications. Like I say in the Funding Guides, don’t be afraid to ask. Too often, new nonprofits hesitate to ask for donations because they feel like they’re too new or too small. People want to help, especially if it’s a cause they believe in, so give them the opportunity. Tell people what you need, explain the impact, and ask directly.
7. How do you decide where to invest your limited fundraising resources—like volunteers or technology? You have to prioritize based on each element’s return on investment. For Project Mobility, we invest heavily in our major events—Hops for Hope, Everybody Rides, and our upcoming Over the Edge event in April—because they generate the most revenue and mission visibility. Mobilizing volunteers for these events is easy – people love to participate in these events – and we use technology for registration and promotion. We generally don’t spread ourselves thin by holding a bunch of small fundraisers. For The Funding Project, we’re dedicating most of our resources toward building a strong website, email marketing tools, and social media presence, because that’s how we can both raise funds and reach families in crisis. Beyond that, most of our investment goes to printing and distributing the Funding Guides. I guess that when it comes to figuring out where to spend, we ask ourselves whether an expense will directly move our mission forward or raise funds that advance our mission. If it’s neither, we don’t do it, no matter how good it sounds. We definitely take advantage of free or low-cost tools, including social media, the expertise of our volunteers, donated services, and in-kind contributions. 8. In your experience, what inspires donors most? Data, personal stories, or seeing impact firsthand? It’s all three, but it has to be presented in the right order. Personal stories open the door emotionally—when people see a child with cerebral palsy riding a bike for the first time, or read about a NICU parent’s financial crisis, it makes a strong connection and tugs on the heartstrings. Then you can validate the decision to give with data. For us, that means showing how many families we’ve served, or letting them know that adaptive bikes cost between $3,000 and $12,000 each. When people do the math, they understand much better what we’re doing. Being there to see the giveaways firsthand seals the commitment long-term — when donors attend our events and watch the giveaways happen, they become lifelong supporters. The most engaged donors are the ones who’ve been involved in the experience, whether they’re volunteers who’ve helped at bike giveaways, people who read the stories of the NICU babies and then see them at our events, or sponsors who meet the families they’ve helped. 9. Do partnerships with local businesses or community groups fit into your fundraising strategy? Partnerships are absolutely essential, especially for Project Mobility! Our brewery partnerships for Hops for Hope have been game-changers—they provide venues, contribute financially, lend their brand credibility, and of course, give away beer! When a beloved local brewery champions your cause, its customers end up becoming some of your biggest donors.
funding—they offer volunteer pools, in-kind donations, marketing reach, and community credibility. One of our sponsors actually gives us space in his popular restaurant each week for the Let’s Find the Queen Raffle! For The Funding Project, it’s the partnerships with hospitals and healthcare providers that are most important. We rely on social workers and therapists to distribute our guides to families: they are trusted as authorities, so people are more open to our resources. We’ve also built partnerships with medical supply companies and other nonprofits that serve similar populations to create referral networks. The key to a successful partnership is mutual benefit. We don’t just ask what businesses can do for us—we consider what we offer them: marketing exposure, employee engagement opportunities, community goodwill, and meaningful corporate social responsibility. The best partnerships are the ones that offer win-win outcomes. 10. What is your best advice for anyone looking to fundraise for their cause? You have to start with believing in your mission and not holding back when you communicate that passion. People don’t give to organizations; they give to causes they believe are authentic and run by people they trust. Your commitment can be contagious. Second, make it easy to give and to understand what their donation is doing. Provide simple online donation forms, multiple payment options, and clear impact statements showing exactly what gifts accomplish ($5,000 = one adaptive bike for a child). The more complicated things are, the less likely people are to be generous. Third, never take your donors for granted. Thank them promptly, update them on impact and progress, and make them feel like partners in the mission. Acquiring new donors is much harder than keeping the ones you have. We send personal notes, share photos of the children we’ve served (with permission), and recognize donors publicly when they’re comfortable with it. Fourth, don’t be afraid to share your needs honestly. When you tell people about the challenges you’re facing—like our 2025 funding difficulties—it can inspire people to step up. Donors appreciate transparency. Finally, remember that every fundraising interaction is an opportunity to build a relationship. Some people can give money now, others can volunteer, and others can share your message. All are valuable. Remember that charitable giving is a long game. Treat everyone with respect and gratitude, and build a community around your cause. That’s when sustainable, successful fundraising happens.
We also partner with local businesses for event sponsorships. These partnerships provide more than
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More charities to support in our community Believe it or not, there are charities in your own back yard you may not have ever known about. Not only do they need monetary support, but many of them can use volunteers to help them carry out their service to the community. The personal rewards in giving back are immeasurable. Contact the charity of your choice to see how you can help. Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet New Location: 431 North Raddant Road, Batavia Food Pantry: (630) 879-3784 Clothes Closet: (630) 406-0036 bataviafoodpantry.org Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created by local churches with the simple goal of serving the needs of Batavia and Batavia Township. They serve a myriad of individuals in need of clothing, food, non-food, and household-related items as well as personal items. The Food Pantry has been open for more than 30 years and BIFP is also a member of the Northern Illinois Food Bank Cooperative. At BIFP, there are several ways to shop the pantry: online, by appointment, and a limited number of walk-in availability. Please refer to their website for further instructions on how to drop off donations, view the Clothes Closet hours of operation and closure dates.
Starfish Animal Rescue 204 Dearborn Court Unit 101, Geneva, IL 60134 www.starfishanimalrescue.com From 2006 to present, Starfish has helped facilitate the rescue of around 4,000 dogs and focused their efforts on two high kill shelters in Kentucky that average about 200 dogs and puppies a month. Partnering with Safe Hands Animal Rescue in Minneapolis, Starfish receives donations of vaccines for puppies that enter the shelter, a key component to animal transport. Despite the abuse and neglect Starfish often finds these animals suffering from, this organization devotes itself to finding the best rehabilitation and homes possible, cutting down euthanasia rates to near zero percent.
Mutual Ground
Hesed House
418 Oak Ave., Aurora, IL, 60506 Domestic Violence Hotline: (630) 897-0080 Sexual Violence Hotline: (630) 897-8383 Main Office: (630) 897-0084 mutualground.org
659 South River St, Aurora, IL 60506 (630) 897-2156 hesedhouse.org
Mutual Ground is an organization dedicated to supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence. They provide services to families and individuals by offering education and awareness to abolish cycles of violence in their communities. Volunteer with Mutual Ground as a hotline worker or victim advocate upon completion of a 60-hour certification. Take part in their GEM program, participate in a meal train, check out their Winter Wonderland Client Shoppe, peruse their wish list, or donate to their cell phone and jewelry campaign. Get involved and visit to learn more about how you can help.
Cal’s Angels 2422 W Main St. Unit 3B, St. Charles, IL 60175 (847) 960-5317 www.calsangels.org Cal’s Angels is a Chicagoland based 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 in memory of Cal Sutter, a Little League All-Star who lost his battle with leukemia. Cal’s kindness and generosity inspired the start of Cal’s Angels. For 16 years they have been able to bring hope and support to thousands of kids fighting cancer and their families. Everything Cal’s Angels does is centered around their mission of granting wishes, raising awareness and funding research to help kids fight cancer. Visit their website to learn more about their many charitable programs like Fantasy Flight and 12 Days of Christmas. Donate, volunteer or attend events aimed at raising more funds toward a vital cause.
Hesed House is the second largest homeless shelter outside of Chicago. They serve men, women and families of any age and utilize more than 7,500 volunteers each year. Their mission is to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and give people a chance to hope again.” Make sure to check their website for a list of current needs and dropoff hours. You can choose to volunteer on-site or take part in the Gratitude and Greeting program, the Brown Bag Lunch Initiative or host a “Hike for Hesed.” They also accept food and financial donations.
World Relief Aurora 73 S Lasalle St, Aurora, IL 60505 (630) 906-9546 worldrelief.org This service organization is a global Christian movement dedicated to emboldening local churches to assist those in need. From victims of violence to natural disasters, displacement, oppression, extreme poverty and more, World Relief seeks to find solutions and gather the necessary aid to help mitigate the worst. The Aurora branch is part of a national network focusing on immigrants and refugees in need throughout the United States. They have worked and welcomed these groups of people for over four decades in the Chicagoland area and they continue to support churches and other organizations in their efforts to assist refugees and immigrants. You can get involved through volunteering, working with the organization or donating. Check their website for more information on programs and locations in the Chicagoland area.
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Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley 111 West Downer Place, 312 Aurora, Illinois, 60506 630-896-7800 Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Donor-driven organization serving Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County, Illinois, helping donors custom-design funds and awarding grants to various organizations and projects in the Fox River Valley region.
Casey’s Safe Haven 8N005 IL Rte. 47 Maple Park, IL 60151 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 103, Elburn, IL 60119 (815) 762-1983 www.caseyssafehaven.org Casey’s Safe Haven is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is focused on being a holistic rescue for equines. This sanctuary provides healing for any mules, horses, donkeys, or ponies sent to their way. Casey’s Safe Haven accepts any retiring horses from the police force, racetracks, lesson programs or pony-ride and animal control facilities. The best way to support Casey’s Safe Haven is to donate directly to the cause, become an equine sponsor or shop for items on their Amazon wish list. All donation links can be found on their website. Otherwise, it is equally important to volunteer your time if you are able.
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, Illinois, 60120 847-488-1456 Tue-Thu 11:00 AM-8:30 PM; Fri-Sat 11:00 AM-9:30 PM; Sun 4:00 PM-8:00 PM www.downtownelgin.com Volunteers interested in helping with DNA events such as the Farmers Market and Holly Days, as well as for volunteering to participate in DNA Committees can obtain more information on the website. Committees include: Promotions, Neighborhood Outreach, Economic Development, Downtown Elgin Market, Zoning Review, Wayfinding and Mobility.
VNA Visiting Nurse Association VNA Visiting Nurse Association 49 East Downer Place Aurora, Illinois, 60505 630-264-7273 Volunteers make it possible for VNA to deliver compassionate care to individuals and families in vulnerable stages of life through patient support, office assistance and special events.
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Dunham Foundation
The Stickling Foundation
2120 West Galena Boulevard, Suite 8 Aurora, Illinois, 60506 630-844-2774 dunhamfoundation.org
100 East Chicago Street Elgin, Illinois, 60120 847-742-8939 The Stickling Foundation Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Seeks grant applications from nonprofits that encourage innovation and collaboration in educational and community development programs and projects to effect positive change in the Dunham Foundation service area.
Elgin Teachers Association 2230 Point Boulevard, 400 Elgin, Illinois, 60123 847-428-7640 The ETA – The Elgin Teachers Association Representing over 2,400 educators serving more than 40,000 students in 11 communities. Affiliated with the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the ETA advocates for its members and students, striving to provide quality education for all.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley 56 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 847-836-1432 volunteer@habitatnfv.org
Supports the local community by providing assistance to the Downtown Neighborhood Association, maintaining the historic Elgin Tower Building, and constructing an additional building to house the association rent-free.
Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson’s Research 17 North 1st Street Geneva, Illinois, 60134 630-232-1122 www.paulrubyfoundation.org Volunteers engage in community research, represent at local events, and participate in fundraising events. Additionally, volunteers can support local educational programs and volunteer during events, organize charity walks, and start their own fundraiser. The foundation also provides training for volunteers to effectively communicate their mission and connect the community to vital resources.
Gives families the opportunity to improve their future through home ownership. Manages their efforts, builds homes for families, works with thousands of volunteers and qualified partner families. Volunteers can help build, serve on a committee, help run a Habitat ReStore, assist in fundraising events, or donate materials.
Homecrest Foundation 49 White Oak Circle St. Charles, Illinois, 60174 630-513-1512 www.homecrestonline.org Affiliated with the Christian Science church, Homecrest Foundation provides benevolent assistance to senior Christian Scientists, including financial aid, housing, and other services.
Moose Charities 155 S International Dr Ste 2 Mooseheart, IL 60539 (630) 966-2200 www.moosecharities.org Mooseheart Child City and School, one of the best-kept secrets in the Fox Valley area, serves children who, for a variety of reasons, cannot be provided a suitable home by their families. Mooseheart provides the highest quality of care and education. Eighty percent of Mooseheart graduating seniors enroll in two and fouryear universities around the country.
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I t’s not just talk to us.
We walk the walk...
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When it comes to giving back to our community, we take community support and hands-on serving very seriously. We appreciate the incredible work that our local charities do! Our team makes every effort to support their endeavors, help those in need, share our gratitude, preserve unity, and promote peace.
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107 S. 2nd Street, Geneva, IL 60134 | 630.457.4068 | MapYourFuture.net
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