Part 1 - Des Plaines Community Foundation

COME OUT & ROLL THE DICE AT
DES PLAINES RIVERS CASINO!
Come bet on the Des Plaines Community Foundation
(DPCF) on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8
p.m. at the 13th annual and only fundraiser at the Cube
nightclub at the Des Plaines Rivers Casino.
Tickets for the event are $85 per person and will include
appetizers, gourmet dinner, open bar and entertainment,
the musical stylings of Victor Pacini and Patrick, the
psychic, doing special readings.
There will be a raffle featuring a grand prize of $1,000,
second and third prizes including luxury hotel stays,
restaurant dinners, gift cards and additional prizes valued
at more than $200 each.
The popular fundraising game called the “Cork Wine
Pull” will be back for guests to wager. Silent auction
items will include golf packages, spa and sporting events,
collectables, gifts and more. Guests will also be able to
take Black Jack instructional classes sponsored by Rivers
Casino. You must be 21 years old to attend.
“Please help our cause by attending and/or supporting the
13th annual and only fundraiser at the new Des Plaines
Community Foundation,” said Rosemary Argus, executive
director of the Foundation. “Last year more than 200
people attended the successful event and enjoyed the
evening.”
Turn page >
Rich Holke and Kimberly Ball of Alliant Credit Union run the Wine Cork Pull game.
A NOTE FROM ROSEMARY
The Des Plaines Community Foundation
is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is
made up completely of volunteers.
The Foundation funds the programs and
services provided through the Des Plaines
Healthy Community Partnership. The
Partnership brings Des Plaines resources
together to improve quality of life for those
who live and work in the community.
Rosemary Argus
Together the organization supports programs that provide support
for youth, senior citizens, and people with special needs and helps
promote a healthy and safe community environment.
Besides all the folks who have generously donated to be our fundraiser
sponsors we would like to thank the Alliant Credit Union Foundation,
Rivers Casino, the Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation,
the Chicago Mar Thoma, Bob and Terry Lewandowski, Dan and Jody
Whalen, Prairie Rock Financial, City of Des Plaines, BMO Harris,
AT&T, Orange Crush, Pesche Flowers, Siete 7 and ITW for all their
financial support to fund our programs.
We would also like to thank each and every trustee on our Board for
all their help in accomplishing all the good work we have achieved
for the residents who live and work in Des Plaines. It takes all of us
working together to be successful. God Bless.
Please help our cause by attending and/or supporting the 13th annual
fundraiser at the new Des Plaines Rivers Casino on Friday, September
9th. You can “Bet on the Des Plaines Community Foundation” because
for every $1 we receive, we provide $12 of service to our residents. We
are able to do this because we are all volunteers!
THE CUBE:
ENJOY A GALA
NIGHT AT THE
DES PLAINES
RIVERS CASINO
The event includes several
open bars where guests can
enjoy the ultimate in mixolgy
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PAST PRESIDENT: Chris Pesche, Pesche’s Flowers
PRESIDENT: Rich Holke, Alliant Credit Union
VICE PRESIDENT: Mark Lucaccioni, Prairie Rock Financial Group
TREASURER: Margaret Polovchak
SECRETARY: Kathy Puetz, City of Des Plaines
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Rosemary S. Argus
TRUSTEES
Robert Argus, United Airlines
Kimberly Ball, Alliant Credit Union
Sunny Cherian, Chicago Mar Thoma
Sherry Gardner, Sysco Foods—Chicago
Jan Goczkowski, Century 21—Langos & Christian
Sandra Hansen, BMO Harris Bank
Jim Johnsen, IPS Corporation
Bob Lewandowski, R. Franczak & Associates
Chris Peterson, Corporate Coach
Chuck Reid, Pastor, Bethesda Worship
Dick Sayad, Alderman, City of Des Plaines
Jody Whalen, Des Plaines
FOUNDATION AWARDS SIX
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE
STUDENTS
COME OUT & ROLL THE DICE AT
DES PLAINES RIVERS CASINO!
Alliant Credit Union Foundation is the premier sponsor
of the event, with a donation of $3,500. Sponsorships for
food or beverages station are still available for the annual
event at the $2,500, $1,500 and $500 levels.
(ABOVE) Anthony Muniz and Paul Bartholomae. Muniz from Maine West High
School was the recipient of the Bartholomae award and will use the scholarship to study
Fire Science at Oakton Community College. Muniz plans to be a firefighter.
The Des Plaines Community Foundation (DPCF) recently
awarded four $1,500 scholarships to Des Plaines students.
This is the fifth year the Foundation has offered these
scholarships for both two-year and four-year college
students.
The Foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize
assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines
Healthy Community Partnership whose activities improve
the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.
Some of the programs include; Neighbors Helping
Neighbors Program Committee; Healthy Community/
Healthy Youth Program Committee; Intergenerational
Program Committee; and Seasons of Service Program
Committee.
A second annual Sadie Rosie scholarship for $1,000 was
presented this year as well as the new Paul Bartholomae
Scholarship award of $1,500—both targeted to highschool students for college tuition.
“We believe that helping our young adults obtain a college
education is an investment, not only in the future of our
youth, but also in the future of Des Plaines,” said Argus.
“The scholarships will help bring a college degree within
reach for students who deserve it most.”
For tickets to the fundraiser visit www.DPCharities.org
or call Rosemary Argus at 847-297-4932 or 847-525-5566.
For sponsorship opportunities call Bob Lewandowski at
847-815-4356 by August 22nd.
The Sadie Rose Argus Leadership Award is the fifth $1,000
scholarship presented to help pay a worthy student’s
college tuition. The Sadie Rose Leadership Award was
presented to Jake Migasi of Maine West High School, and
a student who worked with the DPCF for two years.
Migasi chose not to go to college but instead asked for
assistance in finding a full-time job. The DPCF board did
help him find a job at Pesche’s Flowers in Des Plaines and
voted to give him a cash prize of $250.
Turn page >
(LEFT TO RIGHT) The DPCF scholarship committee, board trustees and students
are Pastor Charles L. Reid of Bethesda Worship Center; Sandra Hansen, BMO Harris;
Anthony Muniz; Abigail Mendoza; Bob Lewandowski, R.Franzcak & Associates;
Natalie Hardy; Rich Holke and Kimberly Ball, Alliant Credit Union.
3
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
SEASONS OF SERVICE
The Sadie Rose Argus Leadership Award was established
to recognize young individuals who volunteer and share
their time and talents with the DPCF.
DPCF Student Volunteers:
ASSISTING STAFF AT FRIENDSHIP
PARK CONSERVATORY
A new sixth scholarship award was added this year to
honor Paul Bartholomae which included $1,500 towards
college tuition. Bartholomae recently retired after 40 years
as the Building-Trades instructor at Maine West High
School.
Antonio Muniz from Maine West High School was the
recipient of the Bartholomae award and will use the
scholarship to study Fire Science at Oakton Community
College. Muniz plans to be a firefighter.
Both of these awards were given to students in recognition
of their efforts and volunteer hours directly related to
carrying out the mission, programs and services of the
Foundation.
The four recipients for the Foundation scholarships are
Abigail Mendoza from Maine West High School; Breanna
Keenley from Elk Grove High School; Jonathan Meehan
from Saint Viator High School, and Natalie Hardy from
Elk Grove High School.
Kensey Reeves and Lacey Argus helped the Friendship Park Conservatory greenhouse
staff wash thousands of flower pots during the past summer break.
The DPCF scholarship committee trustees are Rich Holke,
Kimberly Ball, Mark Lucaccioni, Sandra Hansen, Kathy
Puetz, Margaret Polovchak, Sherry Gardner and Dick
Sayad. They judged the student applications based on
strict guidelines and required paperwork.
Three Des Plaines Community Foundation student
volunteers helped the Friendship Park Conservatory
greenhouse staff wash thousands of flower pots during the
past summer break. The girls are Chippewa Junior High
School students looking to give back to the community.
Students seeking to be considered for the 2017 scholarship
program must complete an application, which can be
downloaded at www.desplainescommunityfoundation.
org/scholarship.
Lacey Argus, Kensey Reeves and Hailey Suwalski were
happy to help out the Friendship Park staff and wash a
portion of the 25,000 flower pots that are washed every
year.
According to Barbara Koch, manager of Friendship Park
Conservatory at 395 W. Algonquin Rd., the girls put in
long hours washing pots to prepare for the next season’s
planting in the greenhouse.
"By washing the flower pots, instead of replacing them, we
keep the costs down and are more earth friendly," she said.
“This was the first time we used student volunteers at the
greenhouse in addition to our regular volunteers and it
was just great,” said Gerrie Kamm, horticulturist at the
park. “Rosemary Argus, the executive director of the
DPCF, often visits the conservatory and had asked if there
were volunteer opportunities for the students.”
Rosemary Argus, Executive Director DPCF (middle) with students Breanna Keenley
from Elk Grove High School and Jonathan Meehan from Saint Viator High School.
4
Friendship Park Conservatory greenhouse is a
10,000-square-foot building, which is where all the plants
are grown for Mt. Prospect Park District facilities and
many parks throughout the district.
Bike Saftey
The idea of the bicycle
project was presented to
the Foundation for funding
by Dr. Michael Bagby, who
continues to head up the
project and work every year.
“We are always looking for student volunteers to help
the Foundation to better the future of Des Plaines,” said
Argus. A number of student volunteers from Maine West
High School have signed up to volunteer their time for
elderly Des Plaines residents.
Some of the acts of service performed by the Foundation
student volunteers include:
• Assisting homeowners in packing and cleaning.
• Cutting elderly residents grass and raking leaves.
• Snow shoveling for the Des Plaines seniors and disabled.
• Soliciting and picking up donations and contributions.
• Recruitment of youth volunteers.
For example, the Des Plaines Community Foundation
has had a presence at the annual Spring Fun Fair at The
Mountain View Adventure Center in Prairie Lakes. “Four
student softball players got together off the field to lend
a helping hand preparing for the event last spring,” said
Argus.
Student volunteers Maren Garnett, Lacey Argus, Mia
Thomas and Makenna Delafeld helped unpack and
prepare the bicycle helmets which were distributed to the
children.
The Foundation had a tent at the event and gave out
100 bicycle helmets to the first children who attended
and needed a helmet. Bike safety checks, bike safety
information and minor maintenance were provided.
Other student volunteer work includes the Des Plaines
Snow Angels.
During snowstorms this past winter, Paul Bartholomae
and approximately 25 to 30 Maine West students shoveled
hundreds of driveways and sidewalks of local residents.
Residents can call the Neighbors Helping Neighbors
hotline through the Des Plaines Community Foundation.
“Mainly senior citizens call to have their driveways and
walks shoveled,” said Argus. “These are residents who
want to be independent and live at home, but who might
be in their 80s and 90s, have suffered a heart attack or
stroke and cannot shovel their driveway.”
If residents can afford to pay the student volunteers, they
will do so. Otherwise, the community foundation pays
$25 per household. The students must also provide their
own shovels and snowplows. The disabled and elderly
were very grateful for the help.
The flower pot girls Hailey Suwalski and Kensey Reeves are Chippewa Junior High
School students looking to give back to the community.
5
DPCF DONATES $10,000 TO
THREE LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES
Rich Holke president of the DPCF presented Deb Walusiak of the Self Help Pantry and
Closet with a $5,000 donation.
Rich Holke, president of the DPCF, made a stop at the
Self Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines where he
presented Debbie Walusiak with a $5,000 donation.
“We usually help 800 to 1,000 residents a month,” said
Walusiak. “We are extremely grateful to be recipients of
what the Foundation does for the community. They do
very generous work.”
Alderman Dick Sayad also presented Carol Teschky Maine
Township Supervisor with a donation of $2,500.
Dick Sayad presented a check for $2,500 to benefit the Maine Township Emergency
Food Pantry. Supervisor Carol A. Teschky thanks Dick and the Foundation for
continued support.
“The generous donation will be used to purchase much
needed food for individuals and families in need,” said
Teschky.
The Des Plaines Community Foundation donated $10,000
to local area food pantries. The donation was split between
three food pantries.
“During these hard times all food pantries are pressed for
help with so many people out of work,” said Argus of the
Foundation. “People are struggling in this economy and
food pantries are a very necessary and important factor
to some residents' lives. The Foundation Trustees voted
unanimously to donate.”
Dick Sayad, DPCF board member and Des Plaines 4th
Ward Alderman, presented the Elk Grove Township
Pantry with a $2,500 donation. Mike Sweeney Supervisor
of Elk Grove Township accepted the donation.
Sweeney said he would use the donation to restock the
shelves. “The donation is very much appreciated,” said
Sweeney.
Dick Sayad presented Mike Sweeney Supervisor of Elk Grove Township with a $2,500
donation.
6