Northwest Suburban United Way

14TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC TO TEE OFF APRIL 29TH AT THE ARBORETUM CLUB IN

Penni Jess — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:23:55 +0000

Please join us on April 29, 2010, for the 14th Annual United Way Golf Classic. Golfers can look forward to a challenging day of play at the Arboretum Club, located at 401 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove. This seasoned 18-hole golf course was designed by Dick Nugent and boasts 100 acres of rolling fairways, large varieties of trees and wildflowers, and undulating greens offer visual and playing pleasure. The new 27,000 foot clubhouse is fitted out with spacious locker rooms for men and women and a pro shop filled with a fine selection of items for your golfing needs. Not to mention golf carts with interactive GPS tracking so you always know exactly where you are! There will be games galore, as well as a chance to win $1,000.00 at our exciting golf ball drop!

What’s even better — thanks to our partnership with the Village of Buffalo Grove, we are able to roll back prices to 1999 levels, making this year’s Golf Classic more affordable than ever. Check out these prices:

18 holes of golf, box lunch and dinner— $125.00 per person

Dinner only—$35.00 per person

Best of all, golfers will have the satisfaction of knowing that their money is well spent, as all dollars raised at this outing will benefit their community and programs targeting Education. United Way funded programs in this critical area focus on outcomes and goals for the community, drawing on the strengths of existing partnerships, relationships and community initiatives like the Ready for School program in Arlington Heights. In addition, United Way offers a scholarship for high school seniors toward post secondary education.

We’re limited to 132 golfers, so don’t hesitate—call in your reservation today to the Northwest Suburban United Way at 847-768-1074. Hope to see you on the links!

Making a Difference for Haiti

Penni Jess — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:16:17 +0000

Folks in Buffalo Grove supported the relief effort in Haiti by attending a fundraiser at Continental Restaurant last Monday (January 25th) night. They raised $4,606.12 and owner, Peter Panayiotou, will increase that amount to $5,000! The generous wait staff donated their time during this fundraiser. Northwest Suburban United Way past president, Leon Gopon, will receive the check at the Buffalo Grove Village Board Meeting on February 1st which will be sent on to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund for distribution to Haiti.

If you would like to contribute to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund for distribution to Haiti please visit www.liveunited.org, by phone at 1-866-404-5826 or text HAITI to 864833 (UNITED) (standard text messaging rates apply) to make a $5 donation.

Northwest Subruban United Way Toy Drive

Penni Jess — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:53:57 +0000

Northwest Suburban United Way joined forces with ten local companies in order to make the first annual Holiday Toy Drive benefitting ACCESS Community Health Center in Arlington Heights and ACCESS Genesis Center for Health and Empowerment in Des Plaines a great success.

As a result of the generosity of these companies, over 800 toys and gifts were distributed to area children and teens who may not have otherwise received gifts this holiday season.

One of the things that made this toy drive truly special was the way the toys were distributed to the children. As children visited the clinic, the doctor gave each child a toy at the end of their appointment.

“This toy drive truly shows how the slightest gesture, like donating a toy, can make a difference,” said Marcia McMahon, Chief Professional Officer at Northwest Suburban United Way. “We were proud to partner with ACCESS Community Health Network on this special initiative and were very pleased with the overwhelming number of toys we were able to collect even in these tough economic times.”

Northwest Suburban United Way would like to thank ADP, Avery Dennison, Benefit Express, JohnsByrne Company, Meijer, PACCAR Financial Corp., Technotrans America Inc., Village Bank & Trust and Wheels Inc. for making a difference in the lives of their neighbors this holiday season.

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.

United Way Survey Confirms Devastating Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts

Penni Jess — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:28:44 +0000

“Without a state budget, our agencies are immobilized. They are forced to operate under the new mandate, or risk maintaining current levels of service without the assurance they will receive state reimbursement of those expenses,” said Laura Thrall, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. “Meanwhile, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who rely on child care, elder care, disability services, substance abuse and mental health counseling, domestic and sexual violence services – to name a few – are left hanging in the balance.”

Click here to learn more about how the state budget cuts are affecting Health and Human Services agencies and to find out what you can do to urge state lawmakers to pass a fair budget with adequate funding for health and human services!

Help Stop Human Service Cuts, Contact Your Legislators

Penni Jess — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:22:14 +0000

The State of Illinois has passed a budget that cuts by half funding to health and human services across the state. However, it is not too late to reverse the dire consequences that are sure to result if this vote stands. Governor Quinn has the option to recall law makers for a re-vote on the budget. United Way is calling on its supporters to help the hundreds of thousands of people who will be affected by this budget which goes into effect on July 1, 2009. Already, the Illinois Department of Human Services is looking to close four mental health facilities, eliminate substance abuse treatment and prevention programs and slash all human service agency budgets by 50-75%. The negative effects of this will impact people for years to come.

You can make a difference by contacting your local legislators. To find your State Representative, State Senator, sample scripts, sample letters, fact sheets and handouts please visit the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Advocacy Resources Page.

Celebration Lunch Award Winners

Penni Jess — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:48:14 +0000

Thank you to everyone who attended Northwest Suburban United Way’s Celebration Lunch on June 4th. Everyone had a great time at Maggiano’sand had learned about how United Way partners with agencies in the community to make an impact. Laura Thrall, President & CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, provided a first hand look at how United Way and partner agencies are able to work together.

Thank you to all the Mayors and Village Officials who presented awards to Northwest Suburban United Way’s Heart of the Community Award Winner. This is Northwest Suburban United Way’s most prestigious honor, it is presented to corporation or organizations whose dedication and commitment to United Way’s mission has improved the lives of countless people in need in our community.

Congratulations to Scott Anderson from the Village of Buffalo Grove who was named Volunteer of the Year. Through his commitment to United Way and his community Scott is a true example of what it means to “LIVE UNITED”.

Thank you to the Celebration Committee, Jim Blue, Lavonne Ellis, Leon Gopon and Rachel Roberts, your hardwork and dedication truly made a difference.

Congratulations to all award winners, it is because of you that United Way can make an impact in the community! Click here for a complete list of award winners.

Join NWSUW on Facebook and Twitter!

Penni Jess — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:23:10 +0000

By joining Northwest Suburban United Way on Facebook and Twitter you will always be the first to know what your United Way is doing! Learn about the Kensington Business Park Walking Club, the Skokie Trail to Fitness, Ready for School in Arlington Heights, special events and so much more!

To become part of Northwest Suburban United Way’s Facebook group log into facebook and search Northwest Suburban United Way – you can’t miss us! To follow us on Twitter search nwsuw and click “follow” or go to http://twitter.com/nwsuw.

Don’t forget to check back to our website so you can get even more United Way information!

Volunteers Needed!

Chelsea Lynn — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:27:48 +0000

With the Gattas Golf Classic a smashing success, we’re beginning to look ahead to the summer and the fall and boy is there a lot of exciting things to do with United Way! We encourage you to click over to our volunteer page and take a look at the wide variety of opportunities available for people to get involved and exemplify what it means to LIVE UNITED.

… and don’t forget to save the date for the Northwest Suburban United Way Day at the Races on August 22nd!

Gattas Scholarship Winners Annouced

Chelsea Lynn — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:04:04 +0000

Northwest Suburban United Way is proud to annouce the winners of the 2009 George Gattas Scholarship.

There was a nearly overwhelming response to the scholarship this year. The three winners stood out from the rest for their fantastic examples of dedication to the community, scholarship and athleticism.

The winner of the 2009 George Gattas Scholarship was Alison Ives from Prospect High School. The honorable mention scholarships were awarded to Jonathon McCarthy from Rolling Meadows High School and Kathryn D’Amico from Hoffman Estates High School.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who attended the Gattas Golf Classic and supported the scholarship!

Applications Now Being Accepted for the Gattas Scholarship

Chelsea Lynn — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:15:29 +0000

The Northwest Suburban United Way is pleased to extend to the students of our region an opportunity to apply for the George Gattas Scholarship, available to all qualified students who live in our service area. As Athletic Director for Prospect High School and a strong support of the United Way, Mr. Gattas touched the lives of many students. He worked to build a stronger community by improving the quality of life for residents in need. Since that time, through the generosity of community donors, the scholarship fund has grown to encompass the whole of the region we serve.

This year we once again have 3 scholarships available: one (1) $2,500.00 non-renewable scholarship and two (2) $750.00 non-renewable scholarships. These scholarships will be offered to the student who best exemplifies the following criteria:

1.    History of community service;
2.    Active participation in inter-scholastic athletics;
3.    Active participation in co-curricular activities;
4.    Demonstrates continual improvement throughout high school years; and
5.    Resident of the service areas listed above.

Click here (pdf) to download the scholarship information and application.

All applications must be received at the Northwest Suburban United Way offices no later than Monday, March 16, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship or the application, please feel free to contact Marcia McMahon or Chelsea Lynn at 847-768-1074.