ICECF "Back 2 School" Kickoff Another Success!

Summer is officially in gear when we help launch Back 2 School, the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation's initiative to provide FREE school supplies for students in need.  Thursday's luncheon event was rewarding, with many thanks to our great emcees Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt of NBC5 Chicago. 

New alliances were announced to help reach homeless families through DFSS and military families through Operation Homefront, providing additional school supplies to those in need.   Recognition awards were also given to Urban Prep Academies, Ounce of Prevention and Kits for Kidz.  And, the YMCA continues to be a valued partner.

 We're looking forward to the upcoming Distribution Event in August, where hundreds of kids get the first free school supply boxes.  A record year, 25,000 students in need will be given 750,000 free school supplies, empowering them with the necessary tools to learn. 

Congratulations to our client, the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation.

If you'd like to help a child achieve at school, please drop by one of almost 400 Illinois Currency Exchanges in the area and donate $11 to fund a box full of supplies.  You will be smiling too!

Read this Book: "The Show Must Go On"

Chicagoan Marion Elisberg Simon's memoir, "The Show Must Go On" is a page turner.  Her philanthropic efforts date back nearly a century yet her message is clear to all of us today. (And you may recognize some names in her book if you are a true Chicagoan and love society events).

From bringing educational opportunities to disadvantaged young people at Cabrini-Green to helping to create the Kidneymobile program and raising money to ensure that Lincoln Park Zoo will always be a free zoo, this no-nonense gal gets things done.

Simon threw herself into helping others, often masking personal sadness, and over her lifetime and today showcases a positive, focused, inspirational power and contagious spirit to get things done. I say "hurrah!"

Simon is speaking at The Women's Athletic Club on April 11 and other locations in the future. I hope to see you there. 

In the meantime, Simon's book is available on Amazon.com. Two thumbs up!

Homes 4 the Homeless

 Homes 4 the Homeless - Come April 11!

Isn't it time to take note of the homeless?  Please join our "Homes 4 the Homeless" social event with: Proco Joe Moreno/1st Ward Alderman in Chicago; Anthony Milano, jazz pianist and YouTube sensation; renown astrologer Sylvia Friedman and Bill, a formerly homeless inspiration.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

5:30 - 7:30 pm

The Drake Hotel - Drake Room

140 E. Walton, Chicago, IL 60611

 

Ticket Cost:  $30 (includes wine, beer, extraordinary cheeses & fruit, live music)

Discounted parking available--up to 8 hrs/$26 at The Drake

 

Come network for the homeless.

RSVP by March 29  773.645.8900 (ext 107/Sandra) or register online at www.rssichicago.org.

        Join or charity in ending homelessness in Chicago through Prevention, housing and      supportive services.

 

RENAISSANCE SOCIAL SERVICES

 





Thank You Dan Edelman...

Public Relations pioneer Dan Edelman passed away this week.  His memorial was befitting of his greatness.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended, Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke as well as Richard Edelman-- who not only followed in his father's footsteps but has indeed filled his shoes.

Thank you Dan for welcoming me into Edelman, fresh out of college at age 20.  I loved PR.  I loved pitching new business. I loved winning awards. I loved the PR business. I was so proud of  the four years I spent at Edelman, learning from so many talented people.

When Dan read something that I wrote for the vice president, suddenly I was promoted overnight and had to honor of working directly with the president Joe Dragonette.

I loved Dan's famous memos...he always thanked someone for a job well done and then made sure to include a piece of advice.  I've used that masterful tactic throughout my career, hopefully inspiring others.  I also always insist that every intern, every employee has paper and pen in hand when going into a meeting or interview. 

I'm still right where I belong--Passionate about PR.

Rest in Peace Dan.

We can never thank you enough for all you have done for the industry we love.

Eleventh Hour Fun & Frights

Eleventh Hour's four haunted houses are full of fun and frights.
Several of the actors and our street team visited NBC 5 this morning for a fun segment.
Last weekend's event at Woodfield Mall was equally jam-packed with entertainment.
Who knew Halloween was so much fun?

Eleventh Hour was featured in the Chicago Tribune and other major press.  I can't wait to see a morning TV segment we have coming up. Great venue; great coverage.  These folks are pillars in the community too...it's very rewarding to develop and participate in all of the community programs.  The haunted houses this year celebrate Eleventh Hour's 15th anniversary, continuing to raise money for Shady Oaks camp for kids with cerebral palsy (having raised nearly $75,000 since inception).  And Friends of the Parks and The Anti-Cruelty Society will also benefit from promotions this year.

Come visit our haunts now through October 31!   www.eleventhhour.info.

Thank you Mayor and the Media for Best Back2School Event Ever!

What a rewarding week....our Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation Back 2 School event not only kicked off distribution of 19,000 school supply kits to deserving students!  We  invited/hosted Mayor Rahm Emanuel to meet hundreds of kids and personally hand out school supplies.  He truly was a very special guest.  Big things like that happening to a kid can definitely create life-changing experiences. Thanks to Mayor Emanuel and his great staff!

My appreciation goes out to everyone that participated.  Daniella Guzman, morning anchor on NBC 5 News Today was a special guest and taught kids to dance, and laugh, and visited many of the educational booths.  She was unfazed and beautiful, even with an 8-ft python draped around her neck!  Fitness guru Andrea Metcalf had the group working out like never before...dragging their feet on the way in... and all with huge smiles at the end! I have a feeling they may also possibly turn down donuts and pop tarts for breakfast (for a couple days at least).  Andrea added some great gymnastic moves (good timing with the Olympics!) for excitement and had the kids lifting their school supply boxes as part of the workout.

Kids from Pilsen and Chicago Heights learned all about bees from the North Lawndale Employment Network--what a great program providing jobs and producing honey that the kids loved!  (I first met that great group when their CEO was awarded a green award from Chicago Magazine). There were plenty of smiles for the macaws owned by Chicagoan Nick Butkovich and the super friendly 8-foot-long albino burmese python that Bill Pickert from Windy City Reptiles brought to the show. (He works in my building!) The science experiments led by Mike Davis of City Colleges of Chicago created clouds of white smoke and many "oohs" & "aahs" from eager learners. Chicago Lost & Found helped kids re-use old t-shirts and make cool necklaces.  Chicago Scores engaged everyone in soccer. And, Oberweis brought their cute cow truck and low-fat chocolate milk that was noticed by our fit mayor.  Plus, vitaminwater(c) provided cases of all the kid's favorite flavors--including sugar free (taking time out of their busy preparation for Lollapalooza).

The Rauner YMCA, a great partner, provided their giant outdoor soccer field (and indoor gym).  Friends above kept the skies clear and sunny. And, it definitely made me smile to know that the futures of 19,000 kids will be that much brighter knowing that they have full school supply kits to start out the coming year. 

Many thanks to ABC7, Local News Service, NBC5, WGN 9, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Medill News Service and everyone who celebrated the day by coming out and/or covering the event.

As they say, "It takes a village..."and that has never been truer.

If you want to feel equally proud, march yourself into any one of 400 local Illinois Currency Exchanges and make a donation to the Illinois Currency Exchange Foundation's "Back 2 School" program.  Just $11 funds a jam-packed school supply kit for one more child in need.  A recent survey showed that 50 percent of kids receiving school supplies from this program are in households living below the nation's poverty level.  www.icef.org

Let's all contribute to education and a brighter future for kids in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 

Back 2 School Kickoff

Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt, the NBC5 morning news team, emceed our big fundraiser for the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation.  They're terrific and the luncheon event raised over $100,000.  Now, everyone can pitch in to help us raise money for school supplies! This year's initiative will help supply 19,000 families and kids with the tools they need to succeed in school.  I think I just became a fan of peanut butter sandwiches....Daniella suggested how easy it would be to not eat out for lunch one day and instead pack a peanut butter sandwich and give that $11 (to fund a giant school supplies box instead.  Brilliant idea.

Anyone can donate by stopping by one of the 400 currency exchanges in Illinois.  These two news anchors are not only at the top of their game, they seriously care about the community and want to help.  How about you?  (I'll make a great peanut butter sandwich for you!)