Northwest Suburban United Presents “Volunteer of the Month”
September 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you’ve ever wanted to recognize a family member or friend for the service to the community, here is your chance! Simply submit their name and a brief paragraph on why you think they should be volunteer of the month. Winner’s will be featured on a new section on the website entitled “United Way Volunteers of the Month” as well as in our quarterly newsletter.Volunteers can be from any of the 18 communities served by our United Way. There is no age limit. Group service projects may also be submitted. Please send all submissions to Matt Altstiel at maltstiel@uw-mc.org.
For current and updated volunteer listings check Northwest Suburban United Way. Registration is easy and it even tracks the hours for you! There are many ways to get involved.
For even more opportunities in your area through our partner agencies search Northwest Volunteer Opportunities
Caremark Participates in Northwest Suburban United Way Day of Caring
August 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
On August 19th, 2008, volunteers from the Mount Prospect office of Caremark donated their time to volunteer at the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines. Along with United Way staff, they cleaned two buses, an entire skate park and a nursery during their four hours of service. Valued at nearly $20 per hour, Caremark’s volunteers contributed nearly $400 of service to our community.Additonally, Northwest Suburban United Way is proud to feature Caremark during our LIVE UNITED Week Food Drive as a corporate sponsor this coming September.
Throught their collaboration, Caremark has proven their commitment to improve the lives of the people they serve. United Way Days of Caring bring together area businesses and United Way partners opportunities that benefit our Northwest Suburban and Skokie Valley communities. For opportunities where you can make a difference, contact Matt Altstiel (Northwest Suburban United Way) at 847-768-1074.
Help Us Live United
June 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
On June 20 and 21 – the longest weekend of the year – you will hear a lot in the media about United Way and the national movement to LIVE UNITED. We want to take a moment to tell you about what it means to LIVE UNITED in the Northwest Suburban United Way.
We are all connected in the community. When children succeed, when families are stable, when individuals stay healthy, we all win. Our community thrives. That’s why Northwest Suburban focuses on Income, Education and Health, because these are the building blocks for a good life. Our goal is to provide the leadership and resources it takes to create long-lasting change that help people improve their lives. By getting people to reach out to help those who need it most, we’re influencing the conditions for all of us. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.
People LIVE UNITED when they give, advocate and volunteer to help the community. Give – support your company campaign; Advocate – read about the conditions in your community and tell others what can be done to help; Volunteer – sign up to volunteer in your community by taking part in a company wide effort or calling your local United Way at 847.768.1074.
We’re facing tough times for health and human services. The need in our community is rising even higher than the price of gas –and nowhere is that need being felt more than at our local food pantries. Did you know that 39% of households who receive food include at least one unemployed adult? That 33% of people served are under the age of 18? That 22% of these clients live in the suburbs?
While we can’t eradicate all the need in our area, we can make a difference. We can put a stake in the ground and say that for one week, for one day, we can all pause in our daily lives and take a stand to advance the common good. We are one community, and we can all LIVE UNITED.
At Northwest Suburban United Way, the week of September 22nd will be LIVE UNITED Week. Stay tuned for more details about how YOU can help!
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN UNITED WAY GOLF CLASSIC IS UN’FORE’GETTABLE
May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
On Wednesday, April 30th, golfers at the Northwest Suburban United Way 12th annual Gattas Golf Classic in memory of George Gattas had an un’fore’gettable time. Sponsored by Northwest Community Hospital, the Golf Classic was held at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club and featured a scramble format and a shotgun start. Even the weather cooperated to produce a sunny, fun-filled day for everyone.
136 golfers dusted off their clubs and took to the links for the first golf outing of the season. The lucky winners were: Nick Papanicholas, Andy Bennett, Ed Doherty and Scott Whisler, guests of Nicholas & Associates, lowest gross score; Ron Buch, Sharon Smith, Linda Borton and Ed Soban, Northwest Community Hospital, first place, net team score; and Dave Barr, John Tofano, Andy Nyberf and Steve Kozer, Midwest Bank, second place, net team score.
Marcia McMahon, Chief Professional Office for Northwest Suburban United Way, wasn’t surprised that the event sold out for the second consecutive year. “United Way’s work in the community resonates with many business and residents. We appreciate their generous support.”
United Way provides leadership and resources to help people overcome life’s challenges and become self-sufficient. Over 120 programs at 54 health and human care agencies provide much-needed services to our residents; programs targeting key issue areas such as access to healthcare, educational development, crisis support, financial stability and affordable housing.
The $20,000.00 raised at the event will benefit all the communities served by the Northwest Suburban United Way, including: Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Half Day, Inverness, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prairie View, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Rosemont, Skokie and Wheeling, as well as the 2009 George Gattas Scholarship Fund. Three scholarships were awarded at the dinner following the Gattas Golf Classic. Taking top honors was José Espinoza, Maine West High School, $4,000.00 scholarship. José plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne in the fall. Also awarded to Mary Kathleen Supplitt and Samantha Reich were $1,000.00 scholarships toward post-secondary education. They plan to attend Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame, respectively.
To make a donation or to learn how you can become involved with United Way in your community, please contact the Northwest Suburban United Way office at 847.768.1074 or visit the website at www.uwnorthwest.org.
Celebration Save the Date
April 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Northwest Suburban United Way Community CelebrationThursday, June 5, 2008 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Maggiano’s Little Italy at Old Orchard
4999 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr.
Space # 28
Skokie, IL 60077
For reservations call 847.768.1074
Superintendent Greg Guarrine Makes a Difference
February 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Ask a busy man like Dr. Gregory Guarrine why he makes time to volunteer with Northwest Suburban United Way and he’ll tell you it’s all about the community connection.
“Being involved with United Way is a chance to give back,” said Dr. Guarrine, Superintendent of Prospect Heights School District 23. “Knowing the good things United Way does for so many people is extremely satisfying. It’s a way to stay connected to the community.”
Greg has called the Chicago area home his entire life. He was born at Oak Park Hospital and grew up in Melrose Park, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School and St. Joseph High School in Westchester. After two years at Triton Junior College in River Grove, he went on to Illinois State University in Normal to earn a Bachelor in Education.
“My mother prized education,” recalled Greg. “She was a stay-at-home mom and her formal education only went through high school, but she always wanted her children to go to college. And she was always interested in teaching and education.”
Inspired by this maternal fervor, Greg continued on to Northern Illinois University for a Masters in School Administration and Roosevelt University for a Doctorate in Education and Educational Administration.
In 1989, his career in Prospect Heights School District 23 began as Director of Student Services and Curriculum Planning which eventually evolved into the position of Assistant Superintendent. As the District’s Superintendent for the past five years, he has come full circle in his efforts to improve the quality of education in the community.
As a natural progression of his passion to help youth succeed, Greg got involved with United Way during his years at District 23. He recognized the opportunity to have a positive influence on the lives of others not just as a professional but also as a volunteer. He witnessed the impact United Way had on the community and the families and children he worked with every day.
“The connection United Way has to community organizations is unique. We know the resources are going to specific people with specific needs instead of a general donation or fund,” explained Greg. “I donate to United Way because the dollars go directly to folks for essentials that are important to daily survival.”
Over the years, Greg has stepped up his involvement with United Way. He joined the Golf Committee helping to plan the annual United Way Golf Classic in memory of George Gattas; he became the Campaign Leader at District 23 and coordinated the employee campaign; and, in 2006, he joined the Northwest Suburban United Way Board of Directors. This year, in addition to his position on the Executive Committee as First Vice-President, he also has come forward as the new Chairman of Special Events, overseeing both the Golf Classic and the Day at the Races.
“I started working with Greg over eight years ago,” says Marcia McMahon, Chief Professional Officer of Northwest Suburban United Way. “His willingness to get involved and make a real difference in the community is what makes him one of our most valuable volunteers.”
Buffalo Grove Banker Takes Helm at United Way
November 13, 2007 | 2 Comments
At the annual meeting of its board of directors, Northwest Suburban United Way elected a new slate of officers for fiscal year 2007-2008. Taking over as President of the organization is Michael S. Abruzzini, President of Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust; 1st Vice-President, Gregory Guarrine, Superintendent of Prospect Heights School District 23; 2nd Vice-President; James Tansor, Nicor; Treasurer, Gary A. Cueno, JP Morgan; Secretary, Susan Bondy, Schwarz Supply Source.
Abruzzini has been a United Way donor since 1980 when he began his career at Continental Bank. A member of the Northwest Suburban United Way board since 2004, he is looking forward to his tenure as President of an organization which plays such a vital role in the community.
“I feel privileged to be associated with the many generous volunteers who give of their time and talent,” Abruzzini stated. “United Way provides the leadership and resources it takes to help people overcome life’s challenges and become independent.”
Abruzzini is one of twenty-five board members who put their strong commitment to community to work by volunteering with United Way, an organization which has been an integral part of the Chicagoland area for 75 years. United Way volunteers work to improve lives by assessing the needs of each community then funding a network of programs to address those needs. If no programs exist, new initiatives are launched to fill those gaps.
According to Abruzzini, United Way plays a critical role in the community. After the government, United Way is the leading funder of the health and human services, providing the largest source of unrestricted funds. United Way supported programs help our neighbors, or our families, cope in the face of unexpected crisis, keep our youth in school and on track for success, help the working poor remain self-sufficient and care for their families, and so much more.
But Abruzzini points out that this network of support is not guaranteed. United Way has only $1 of funding for every $3 requested. “It is up to each of us to protect and sustain these critical programs in our community.”
Nicor Gas Paints the Northwest Suburban United Way Office
August 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Northwest Suburban United Way office received a makeover this spring. Thanks to the generosity of Nicor Gas and their employees, the office is now full of bright colors.
This year Nicor employees decided that, as part of their Annual Volunteer Day, they would spruce up the United Way office. Nicor Gas donated all the materials needed to paint including: brushes, plastic, tape and paint. On a Saturday morning, six Nicor employees came to the office and got right to work.
The fresh coat of paint features a United Way gold and blue entry way and blue or gold accent walls in every office. Nicor volunteers were able to personalize each office to give it a unique feel.
There is even the United Way logo on the wall in the entry way! The office is now a proud statement of work that United Way does in the community; work that can only be done with dedicated volunteers.
Board Retreat
June 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Board RetreatWednesday, June 25 at 5:30 PM
Celebration Luncheon
June 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Celebration LuncheonThursday, June 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Maggiano’s Little Italy at Old Orchard
4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center
Space #A28
Skokie, IL 60077
United Way of Metro Chicago News- Director, Health and Wellness
- LIVE UNITED on June 20
- Mayor Daley Declares June to be LIVE UNITED Month
- Illinois Governor Declares June to be LIVE UNITED Month
- United Way Seeks Sponsors for Summer Jobs Program - 2008
- United Way Launches Partnership with the FDIC to Increase the Financial Stability of More Americans
- Coordinator, Infrastructure Support