Posted by Brooke Peppey on Apr 24, 2018
Sixteen Area Charities to Receive Grants at Annual Fundraising Dinner
 
Our club will gather for our annual fundraising dinner the evening of May 11 at A. Perry Homes in Wilmette, celebrating Cinco de Mayo + Six and continuing it’s long tradition of supporting non-profit organizations who make our community and the world a better place. Members and their guests should register at http://wnrotary.org/event/annual-benefit-dinner
 
“Our club has been an important contributor to local, regional and international causes since our founding in 1924,” said club president Tom Nash. “This year we are pleased to be supporting sixteen organizations that align with Rotary’s annual theme “Making a Difference.”
 
“Our Community Grants program is our foundational program,” said Brooke Peppey, President of the Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation, the club’s charitable arm. “Each year, our members nominate non-profit organizations whose work inspires them to receive a Community Grant. Funds raised at our prior year benefit dinner, along with donations received throughout the year, are granted to the nominated organizations after being vetted by our board. Since we are all volunteers, all of the money we raise goes toward these grants and our other service projects.”
 
Members may make additional contributions to any of the sixteen charities, which will be matched by an increase in award amount by our foundation.  Contributions may be made at our weekly lunch and by credit card by clicking here. Click Read More for a list of grantee organizations. 
This year’s Community Grant awardees are:
 
A Just Harvest (http://ajustharvest.org), who fights poverty and hunger in Rogers Park and the greater Chicago community.
 
Blues Kids Foundation (http://www.blueskids.com), who works to preserve, perform and promote the Blues among America's youth, parents and educators through its annual Blues Camp in Chicago and other cities.
 
De La Gente (http://www.dlgcoffee.org), who works with coffee farming communities to create economic opportunity that improves the quality of life for their families and communities.
 
Erika's Lighthouse (https://www.erikaslighthouse.org), who educates school communities about teen depression, eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and empower teens to take charge of their mental health.
 
Hadley School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (www.hadley.edu) who creates personalized learning opportunities that empower blind and visually impaired people to thrive – at home, at work and in their communities.
 
Jewish Council for Youth Services (https://jcys.org), whose Champ Camp enables at-risk youth from low-income households in the North Shore to experience a traditional summer camp while also attending summer school.
 
Josselyn Center (https://www.josselyn.org), who provides affordable mental health services that make lives better for their clients, their families and the community. 
 
Literature for All of Us (http://www.literatureforallofus.org), who uses books and writing to facilitate circles of connection, healing and growth in the face of social inequity.
 
NorthShore University Health System Integrative Medicine Department (https://www.northshore.org/integrative-medicine) who provides no-cost integrative health care, including acupuncture therapy, to low-income students in Evanston.
 
Operation North Pole (http://www.operationnorthpole.org) who provides a holiday season day of fun and fantasy for families who have a child battling a life threatening illness by hosting a fantasy trip to the North Pole.
 
Right to be Free (http://www.righttobefree.org) who funds the rescue and rehabilitation of enslaved children in Africa and broadens public awareness of human trafficking.
 
Samaritan Counseling Center (https://www.northshoresamaritan.org) who offers professional counseling services that provide hope, healing and growth in a manner that is ethical and caring.
 
Special Gifts Theatre (http://specialgiftstheatre.org) who provides children and teens with special needs a unique, creative drama experience enabling personal growth, while breaking down stereotypes related to disabilities within the community at large.
 
Volunteer Center (http://www.volunteercenterhelps.org) who helps residents and service groups of all ages in the New Trier Township, North Shore and greater NE Metro Chicago area volunteer or engage in days of service and service learning with 501C3 nonprofit organizations.
 
Winnetka Youth Organization (http://winnetkayo.org) who fosters individual development in junior high and high school youth in the North Shore by providing adult-to-youth mentoring, prevention services, and opportunities for leadership, citizenship, and, education within a safe, informal environment.
 
YouthBuild Lake County (http://youthbuildlakecounty.org) who provides underserved young adults in Lake County with the education and training necessary to become gainfully employed and build a better future.