Thank You, Business Shares Leaders!

Fall has traditionally been the busiest time of year for our Business Shares projects, and 2010 has been no exception.  With the partnership of our great leaders, schools, community groups and corporate partners more schools have been enhanced to brighten the lives of students and community residents.  Highlights from these volunteer projects below: 

On September 11^th, approximately 350 volunteers joined Chicago Cares and the Chicago White Sox in transforming Alexander Graham Elementary School.  Through their hard work, these volunteers were able to paint 21 classrooms, 16 murals (both wall and canvas), 13 mosaics, beautify the outdoors with planter benches and update the auditorium. 

On September 24^th, Discover Financial Services’ Business Technology division brought 319 volunteers to serve with Chicago Cares in Zion, IL.   In one day, this group was able to make over two schools.  At one school alone, volunteers created nearly two dozen murals, built reading lofts and cubbies for the classrooms and overhauled the outside by adding line games and re-landscaping the school’s entrance.  At another school, volunteers painted murals and constructed planter benches, planter beds and planter boxes.  New seating and gathering areas were also created outside by constructing a flagstone path and benches.  Discover volunteers also added a new baseball diamond to the field between the two schools so all of the students could enjoy the space.  

On October 2^nd, over 600 volunteers from Medline transformed North Chicago's  A. J. Katzenmaier School inside and out!  Painting took place in hallways, classrooms, the gym and the cafeteria.  Murals were  created, a tile mosaic was completed reinforcing one of the school’s major ideas, that one must “READ TO SUCCEED.” Planter benches and boxes were built and placed around the grounds and a peace garden was created.  Volunteers even constructed an outdoor teaching area for the students to learn in the shade of the school’s largest tree.

We can see the physical impact of these projects, but the true reward will be felt by the students, faculty, administrators and parents who will enjoy these brighter environments for years to come. Many thanks to all who donated their time!

Support Chicago Through Business Shares

Over the past few years, our Business Shares program has been growing at an unprecedented rate. Thanks to the hard work of our Development and Service Events teams, Chicago Cares was able to pull through a difficult economic year by bringing on new partnerships like Kraft, the White Sox and more.  Our Business Shares model also enables us to engage corporate partners in a new level, introducing community service and our mission possibly for the first time to employees.  We are able to reach out to more schools, community centers, and worthy organizations in need all over the city that we aren’t otherwise able to serve through our ongoing programs or annual events alone.

Integrating our experienced Chicago Cares PSMs into leadership for this program was the Service Events Department’s proudest accomplishment for the fall of 2009. Your leadership made it possible for us to grow in this way and make an impact all over our city. This coming fall will be filled with opportunities to take part in this incredible process. We’ll be partnering with the Chicago White Sox on September 11, continuing our long-term partnership with Medline on October 2, and hosting several projects as a part of Kraft’s National Make a Delicious Difference Week, October 4 - 9. Chicago Cares continues to build new partnerships so we need the continued support of our experienced leaders. If you are interested in leading a project, please check the Leader Calendar for projects titled “Business Shares” and email esutton@chicagocares.org to sign up.

Leaders, thank you so much for all of your help. We’re looking forward to another incredible season of service with you this fall.

September Leader Spotlight: Christine Pellini

Completing service hours had been requirement for Christine in high school and it wasn’t until after participating in the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon that she realized how much fun and purpose-filled volunteering could be. “Volunteering makes me appreciate what I have and gives me the opportunity to meet new people,” says Christine. She now volunteers with Chicago Cares and the Susan G Koman Breast Cancer 3-day regularly.

Christine particularly enjoys leading one-time large scale projects through the Business Shares program. “It’s amazing to see the amount of work that can get done in a single day if you just have people to do it.” She likes the ease and organization of Chicago Cares’ projects, “It’s easy to search online to find the perfect opportunity,” she says.  “It lets me do something I love without having to do a ton of work to prepare for it.”

Christine also enjoys projects that get children from the school community involved; it’s a powerful experience to see the corporate volunteers and youth work together towards a common purpose and goal.  One of her favorite moments was at a Business Shares project in her home town of Melrose Park, watching volunteers mentor and guide students in their work. The excitement of the youth and the dedication of the volunteers are what keep her coming back to lead time and time again.  She hopes that the kids at her projects will grow to love volunteering and act on service like she does.

“It is not hard to be inspired to continue to volunteer after seeing children’s reactions when they see a newly painted mural in their lunchroom or see the look on their face when they realize that those people are there to work on their school because they care, not because someone is paying them.”

~Christine Pellini

Thank you, Christine, for all that you do with Chicago Cares Business Shares! You are a true inspiration to children, volunteers, leaders, and the Chicago Cares staff!

Volunteers Help Schools Get in Shape for Fall

School may be out for the summer, but Chicago Cares staff and volunteers are hard at work making preparations for the new academic year.

We know a child’s learning environment affects their learning potential - that's why we offer schools multi-layered services by providing facility enhancement projects as well as academic enrichment programs.  Our Education and Development team is preparing new curriculum so we can launch even more academic, extra-curricular and health programs throughout the city.  Our Service Events team continues to partner with corporate sponsors to paint, build and beautify at Chicagoland schools. Whether you’re good with a hammer or a book, join us and use your leadership skills to make a difference for our kids.We have current leadership opportunities with our Business Shares projects and Education programs.  If you feel education is as important an issue area as we do, let’s do something about it together.

Cbeyond Volunteers Make an Impact Through Business Shares

Two weeks ago, Cbeyond volunteers brought their outstanding attitudes and dedication to Perspectives/ITT Math & Science Academy, dedicating 168 volunteer hours to paint classrooms and build work tables and a portable tool box for the school's Robotics Team!

Feeling inspired to make an impact at a CPS school yourself? Join us at the 17th Annual Serve-a-thon and give some very deserving students the learning atmosphere they deserve!