Thursday, December 10, 2009

Supporting JDRF during the Holidays

JDRF Holiday Cards
Send holiday greetings to family, friends and business associates, and contribute to a worthy cause! MorethanCards.com has raised more that $1 million for JDRF in the last 7 years. To view the card designs and order online, please visit: www.jdrf.org/cards. Cards are able to be customized.

For more information or to order cards designed by local children, please contact the office at 312/670-0313. You can view the designs on the JDRF Illinois website. We are not able to customize these cards.

MJ2 & Celebrity Friends for JDRF
MJ2 is proud to announce the release of, “You Can’t Say Love Enough,” A musical event brought to you through SweetSong Nashville. This all star single, featuring Dolly Parton, Wayne Newton, Heidi Newfield and many more will raise untold dollars for JDRF and Diabetes Research and Outreach. This one of a kind song will be available on iTunes, exclusively with all net proceeds being donated to JDRF.


Creedence Run with Rudolph
The band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has recorded a cover of the holiday classic “Run Rudolph Run” for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s charity fundraising compilation CD Hope For The Holidays – Rockin’ Christmas for a Cure. The group is based around the Creedence Clearwater Revival rhythm section: bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford. The band has toured regularly since 1995, playing classics from the Creedence catalogue. Other artists contributing unreleased material to the diverse Hope For The Holidays album include: Weezer, Collective Soul, the Beach Boys’ Mike Love, Whitesnake’s David Coverdale and Jon Anderson of Yes. Proceeds from the recording will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

For more information, and details on where you can purchase the CD, please visit http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=EA304E24-1279-D3DC-F9383E9549F2B26E&page_version_id=0937DAC8-1321-C844-13787CA3C8DD32B6.

2009 Team Totals

All money that was received by December 7th will count toward your team's 2009 Walk team total and award level. Awards are distributed at the Walk Awards Ceremony in January. Team totals will be posted on the JDRF Illinois website, www.jdrfillinois.org, so check back soon to view your total.

Walk Team Award Levels
$3,500 - $9,999 Bronze Achievement Award
$10,000 - $24,999 Silver Achievement Award
$25,000 - $49,999 Gold Achievement Award
$50,000 - $99,999 Platinum Achievement Award
$100,000 - $199,999 Diamond Achievement Award
$200,000 + Ron Santo Award

Matching Gifts

Remember, you can double or even triple your dollars raised with matching gifts!

Here's how:
  1. Contact your companies HR Department to see if JDRF is eligible & complete the paperwork.
  2. Be sure to ask your team members and donors if their company has a matching gift program. If you've already turned in all your donations, it's still not to late to have them matched.
  3. Send the matching gift form to JDRF and we will do all the work from there! It's easy!

Please note: You must designate the JDRF Illinois Chapter as the recipient of your matching gift in order for the funds to be directed to your team's total.

Happy Thanksgiving!

JDRF is thankful for YOU!

It's that time of year where we all celebrate the things we are thankful for in our lives. JDRF is thankful for you, our generous supporters who continue to work hard to raise money for vital research. Celebrate the hope of a cure this Thanksgiving holiday!

November is also National Diabetes Awareness Month. Visit www.jdrf.org for ongoing coverage of the month's activities.

Don't Stop Now!

We need your continued help to reach our $5.6 million goal! Now is the time to turn in any additional donations you may still have at your home or office. Turn your money in so it can be counted toward your team total. Donations can be sent in a collection envelope or mailed to the JDRF Illinois Chapter office at 500 N. Dearborn, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60654-3387. Please be sure to include a note with your site, team name and walker name.

Still have a little way before reaching your team's goal? Keep up the great work by trying one of these ideas:
  • Plan a holiday party benefiting JDRF!

  • Follow-up with friends or family who still need to send you their donation.

  • Include an appeal in your holiday card.

  • Ask your child's school to hold a Kids Walk. The Kids Walk Program gives students the opportunity to help fellow classmates affected by diabetes AND raise money for their school. Schools can receive 10% of the money raised! For more information, click here or contact your local Walk Manager to set-up a Kids Walk.

  • Incorporate JDRF fundraising during football season.

  • Ask a local business to donate a percentage of sales back to JDRF.

  • Auction off a close parking space at the office during the cold winter months.

  • Collect change for JDRF - every cent counts! JDRF canisters are available. Contact your local Walk Manager to place an order.

  • We still accept money well into the New Year!
Take a look at these post-Walk fundraising events & activities - let's keep those dollars coming in!
  • Congratulations to the 3 Coffeys, No Sugar family team for receiving nearly $1,700 through the Race to Cure Diabetes held on October 31st in Peoria’s Detweiller Park. The annual event is organized by a family friend and had more than 75 race participants.
  • The Nalco team is expecting an additional $20,000 for their team! Nalco is matching their team fundraising and will now have a team total of over $53,000. That’s nearly $30,000 more than in 2008. Congratulations to Dave Flitman and the Nalco team!
  • Congratulations to Geja’s CafĂ© on their 10th Annual Great Growths Wine Tasting & Auction! This event raised over $26,000 for research and surpassed last years’ record-breaking total by $9,000!
  • Special thanks to Omaha Steaks for generating over $4,000 for diabetes research through their sneaker sales campaign!
  • Go Roma is partnering with JDRF during the month of November to help raise funds for diabetes research. Visit any Go Roma location on a Saturday in November and bring this flyer, and Go Roma will donate 20% of all sales back to JDRF. What a great way to help support a great cause and enjoy some great food! Please forward this on to all of your friends and family.
  • Build-a-Bear Workshops will offer an exciting new fundraising program for JDRF thru November 30th. A special JDRF donation prompt will be on the “pin pad” checkout stations in all U.S. store locations. The pin pad will prompt all credit/debit card customers for a charitable donation, which will directly benefit local JDRF Chapters.
  • Walgreens is holding its annual JDRF retail fundraising event now through November 30, 2009. The chain-wide “Lend a Hand” co-promotion features a $1 “give & get” coupon. Give $1 to help fight juvenile diabetes, and receive a $1 coupon for a Coca-Cola product. Be sure to spread the word to your family and friends and ask them to visit a Walgreens store today! Every dollar raised brings us closer to a cure!
  • Thank you to the Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. and their holiday gift to all our JDRF Walk participants! They are giving all our Walk Team Captains complimentary passes to the 9th Annual One of a Kind Show. The One of a Kind Show Chicago is an extraordinary holiday shopping show featuring the best in fine art and fine craft from more than 500 artists, artisans and designers from across North America. Each item for sale at the show will be made by hand one piece at a time and every artist represented will be in attendance--offering shoppers the wonderful opportunity to buy pieces directly from the artist who created it. Complementing one-of-a-kind shopping, you will be treated to live music, fashion shows, expert presentations, gourmet cafes, bars and special events.
    Your ticket is good for you and a friend, and all four days of the show. Click here https://www.microspec.com/tix123/etic.cfm?code=OOAKCHG09 and enter ECPPartner as the promotion code to receive your complimentary pass. Be sure to visit the JDRF Booth where you can view the two beautiful Project Snap mosaic pieces that will be auctioned off at our Chance of a Lifetime Gala on Saturday, December 12th. You can also purchase your own poster of the mosaics. 25% of all proceeds from poster sales will benefit JDRF Illinois.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Incentive Prize Reminder

Walk Incentive Prizes
Walkers who raise a minimum of $200 by November 9, 2009 are eligible for an incentive prize. You can view the prizes on-line at www.jdrf.org/greatprizes.

You can also choose not to receive a prize so your full contribution can be spent on research!

If you are interested in receiving a prize, notify us on-line or send in this form (one form per Walker). Once you notify us, a catalog will be sent to you with specific prize ordering instructions. Please note that there is no guarantee that prizes will be delivered by the end of the year.

To choose your prize level online or to indicate that you do not wish to receive a prize, log-on to your Walk Central account at www.walk.jdrf.org.
• Click on the ‘My Profile tab’.
• Click on the ‘Prize Selection’ tab.
• Select your prize level and confirm by clicking on ‘Update Prize Selection’.
• To choose your prize level by mail, fill out the below form and fax or mail to:

JDRF Illinois
Attn: Walk Prizes
500 N. Dearborn, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60654
Fax: 312.670.0250




Questions? Please contact your local Walk Manager.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Go Roma & JDRF

We are excited to announce that Go Roma will be partnering with JDRF during the month of November to help raise funds for diabetes research. Visit any Go Roma location on a Saturday in November and bring this flyer, and Go Roma will donate 20% of all sales back to JDRF. What a great way to help support a great cause and enjoy some great food!

Please forward this on to all of your friends and family - the more the merrier!

To easily forward this information, click on the mail icon below.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Dine to Donate at Applebee's

On November 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 34 Applebee’s restaurants in the Chicagoland area will donate 15% of a check back to JDRF when presented with this official flyer. Please forward the information on to your family and friends by clicking on the below mail icon and help us get closer to a cure! Thank you, Applebee's!


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Ford Drive One for JDRF Event

Join us on Saturday, October 24th for the Ford Drive One for JDRF event!

What: Take a free test-drive and Ford Motor Company will donate up to $6,000 (per participating dealer) to JDRF!

The more people that drive, the more JDRF will earn.

Where: Westfield Ford – 6200 S. LaGrange Rd. Countryside, IL 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Arlington Heights Ford – 801 W. Dundee Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Joe Rizza Ford of Orland Park – 8100 W. 159th St. Orland Park, IL 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license. Donation of $20 per valid test-drive up to 300 total test-drives per dealership for a maximum total donation of $6,000 per dealership. Limit (1) JDRF donation per household. Donation will be added to your team total.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Thank You!

THANK YOU for your support of the 2009 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. It is our hope that we will raise more than $5 million for diabetes research. Help us get there – send in outstanding contributions today, or make an online donation.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

5 Days to go!

We are just 5 days away from the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes! There is still time to register and raise money! Register today at http://www.walk.jdrf.org/!

Please click on the below links for specific site information, parking & shuttle details, maps and directions, etc.

Chicago (Lawrence Avenue at the Lakefront)

Northern Suburbs (Independence Grove, Libertyville)

Northwest Suburbs (Busse Woods, Schaumburg)

Southwest Suburbs (Centennial Park, Orland Park)

Western Suburbs (Community Park,Lisle)

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 4th!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Two Weeks to Go!

Walk Day is just around the corner!

PLEASE REGISTER - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

* * * * * *

Congratulations to the Central Illinois Walk for holding an incredibly successful event on Sunday, September 13th! Go Peoria!

Visit http://www.walk.jdrf.org/ to register your walkers today and help us reach our $5.5 million goal!

We can do it with your support!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Peoria Chili's Promotion

How about dinner out at Chili's for a good cause?
Between September 5th - October 15, if you bring the above voucher (click on voucher to enlarge for printing) with you to the Peoria or East Peoria Chilis, 10% of your purchase will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Please forward on to your family and friends. You can easily forward this post by clicking on the mail icon below.

Please help us get another step closer to a cure!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Project S.N.A.P.


Win a Lettuce Entertain You gift certificate! All drawings for Project S.N.A.P. sent to our JDRF Illinois office by September 15th will be entered into a drawing for a Lettuce Entertain You gift certificate. For more details click here: http://projectsnap.org/jdrf.html.

* * * * * *
Draw a Picture, Become a Part of the "Big Picture"
YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS EXCITING PROJECT!

This year, JDRF Illinois, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Project S.N.A.P. are working together to create two giant mosaic murals out of the drawings of JDRF Illinois children and families and members of the JDRF Illinois community.

The final mosaic murals will be unveiled at the December 12 2009, Chance of a Lifetime Gala and auctioned as a fundraiser for JDRF. Posters of the final mosaic will be available in the fall.
Children with Type 1 Diabetes, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, neighbors and friends from across the State of Illinois are invited to participate in the creation of these giant mosaics by creating artwork that will make up the "big picture". ANY AGE CAN PARTICIPATE! If you create artwork for the mosaic your artwork will be one of the images that makes up the final mosaic and in the fall you will be able to visit the Project S.N.A.P. Web Gallery and see your picture and the exact row and column of where it is located in mosaic mural. Click below to become a part of the project!


Monday, August 31, 2009

West Side Rooters - 2nd Annual Rooters Ball


The West Side Rooters Social Club is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Rooters Ball featuring Chicago Cubs catcher and Ball Chairman Geovany Soto. Proceeds from this year’s ball will benefit Chicago Cubs Charities, a proud supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance.

Like the Rooters Ball of 1908, held just before the Cubs last won the World Series, this year’s event will give fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite players, including Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Mármol, John Grabow and others, along with Hall of Fame Cub and West Side Rooters Chairman Ernie Banks. Unlike the 1908 Ball, attire will be casual.

2nd Annual Rooters Ball
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
7pm – 10pm

WHERE: Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse
33 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago
312.595.2208

TICKETS: $100 per ticket. Click here or call 312.828.0966

100% of proceeds to benefit JDRF and The MLB Dominican Development Alliance.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Walk day is quickly approaching!



Sunday, September 13, 2009 in Central Illinois in Peoria.

Sunday, October 4th in 5 Chicagoland locations:
Chicago (Lawrence Avenue at the Lakefront)
Northern Suburbs (Independence Grove, Libertyville)
Northwest Suburbs (Busse Woods, Schaumburg)
Southwest Suburbs (Centennial Park, Orland Park)
Western Suburbs (Community Park,Lisle)

Have you registered yet? We're just weeks away!
Register today and spead the word to family, friends, neighbors & co-workers! Step up and be a part of the cure!


Take a look at these JDRF Walk Stimulus Packages!
Ramp up your Chicago-area Walk registrations and help JDRF prepare for Walk day!

To help motivate our family team participants, we’ve added an incentive just for you! The family team that has the highest number of registered walkers by September 14th will receive a $100 Lettuce Entertain You gift card. One family team per Chicago-area Walk site. Register today at http://www.jdrf.org/.

One family team will win a package for four to Maywood Park’s Night at the Races event on Friday, September 18 plus a $100 Lettuce Entertain You gift card. Raise $1,000 on-line by September 14th and your team will be part of an incentive drawing.

Welcome new corporate friends! JDRF will provide a complimentary 10x10 tent to one new corporate team that has at least $2,500 raised on-line by September 14th! Get your fundraising going with this great Walk-day incentive!

Walk Deadlines

Important! Upcoming Walk Deadlines

As Walk day approaches, please make note of the below logistic and fundraising deadlines:

September 11th - Team Tent deadline. If your team would like to order a tent for Walk day, please contact Sharyn at Indestructo at 847.375.8510. Teams are permitted to bring their own tent, but they must contact their local Walk Manager for size approval and placement. Teams who bring their own tents must set them up on Saturday, October 3rd.

September 18th - Team Table deadline. Teams who have 10 or more walkers registered by 9 a.m. on Sept. 18th will have a reserved table on Walk day. Team tables will be in alpha order by team name.

November 9th - Incentive Prize deadline. If you would like to receive an incentive prize, please make your selection in your Walk Central account or by completeing and returning a form that will be mailed directly to you. To view all the award levels and prizes, visit www.jdrf.org/greatprizes. Only one prize per walker. JDRF branded prizes and catalogs will be mailed with 10 weeks of the Walk. If you choose not to receive a prize, your full donation will go toward finding a cure.

December 7th - Team Total deadline. All money received by December 7th will count toward your team's 2009 Walk team total and award level. Awards are distributed at the Walk Awards Ceremony in January.

Walk Fundraising Events

Special thanks to The Sperling Brothers Foundation who held their 3rd Annual Golf Outing on July 13th at Silver Lakes Country Club. JDRF was chosen as the recipient of this year’s outing. The foundation donated $20,000 to support Sydney’s Angels. Sydney Mann, age 11, shared her struggles and feelings of having type 1 with the dinner guests.

CULVER'S JDRF NIGHT: On Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 4:00-8:00pm, the East Peoria Culvers will donate 10% of all earnings to support JDRF. A tasty way to raise additional funds for research!

Berkot's Super Foods will host their 6th Annual Ryan's Rescuers Golf Scramble on Wednesday, August 26th at the Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort, IL. To reserve your spot or to learn more, please contact Luke Kotara at lukekotara@yahoo.com or Derrick Cannon at derrickcannon@sbcglobal.net.

Maywood Park Racetrack will host its 8th Annual JDRF Night at the Races on Friday, September 18th. Live harness horse racing, BBQ buffet, entertainment and more is hart to beat! More details to come...

LoPriore's Midgets Family Team will be hosting their 3rd Annual “AJ and Zach say Go Away Diabetes” Fundraiser on Saturday, September 26th from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM at 414 Red Cedar Rd, Lake Villa, IL 60046. Join in their quest for a cure with some fun, good food, silent auction and raffle. All proceeds to benefit JDRF. To learn more, please view this flier. RSVP to Ralph LoPriore at (847)245-3217 or LoPriores@hotmail.com.

Do you have an upcoming event to benefit JDRF and your Walk team? We'd love to hear about it! E-mail the event details to your local Walk Manager.

2009 Walk Kick-off Events

Thank you to everyone who attended one of our 2009 JDRF Illinois Walk Kick-off events. A special thank you to Jack Pillion who was the Youth Ambassador at last week's Walk Kick-off Luncheon in Arlington Heights. Jack shared his story of living with diabetes and his hope for the future - finding a cure! Thank you, Jack!

2009 Lakefront Corporate Chair, Fred Walz, CFO of Grant Thornton, will host a 2009 Corporate Team Captain Power Lunch. Lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet with other corporate team captains!

The event will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Grant Thornton located at 175 W. Jackson, 13th floor Training Room, Chicago, IL 60607.

RSVP to Katy Orender at korender@jdrf.org or 312.423.7192 by August 21st.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Ford Funny Car Design Contest - Vote today!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Ford Funny Car Design Contest with proceeds benefitting JDRF! Vote/Donate now for your favorite JDRF Illinois design. The top 5 cars with the most votes/donations by August 14th will be eligible to have their design picked to appear on Bob Tasca’s Funny Car.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Illinois Walk Kick-Off Events

Please help us officially kick-off the 2009 JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes by attending one of our Walk Kick-off Events.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Kick-off Open House
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Attend this new open-house at a time that works for you! Meet successful team captains and fundraisers. Stop by various Walk stations and pick up valuable information on how to build a successful Walk team.

The open house is designed less around a formal program and focuses more on individual areas including: on-line tools, letterwriting campaigns, fundraising activities and day-of Walk logistics. Light refreshments and snacks will be offered. A research update will also be presented.

Attend anytime during each of the time slots below.
12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
OR
4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Research update to be presented at 1 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Please RSVP with which time frame you will join us by July 24, 2009 by email or phone:ohkickoff@jdrfillinois.org or 312.447.7969


* * * *
Thursday, August 13, 2009
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Kick-off Luncheon
Sheraton Chicago Northwest
3400 W. Euclid AvenueArlington Heights, IL

Kick-off the Walk year with a new, interactive program. This event is designed like a traditional luncheon, but the program will include a research update, a Q & A discussion and a panel of Walk peers.Submit a question you would like addressed by August 3. Ask about a key fundraising activity, a best practice, a logistical component – the JDRF Illinois team will have an answer! Lunch will be served.

RSVP by August 3, 2009 by email or phone rskickoff@jdrfillinois.org or 312.447.7970.

We hope to see you at one of these great events!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Peoria Walk News...

The Central Illinois - Peoria Walk has many great events going on and an exciting walker incentive. Please read below for all the latest Peoria Walk news!

Walker Incentive - Win a Peoria Chiefs Family Package!

Have the most funds raised by FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH AT 5PM AND WIN A PEORIA CHIEFS FAMILY PACKAGE. 4 tickets for this year's season, 4 hats and 2 t-shirts. A $100 value!

JDRF will contact the winning team that evening. Go get ‘em and cheer on the Chiefs!! Special thanks to the Central Illinois Corporate Chair, Rocky Vonachen!

* * *
Upcoming Peoria Events

PDC Swim Party - SPLASHDOWN
Wednesday, August 5th from 7-9pm
Call 888-436-2278 for reservations by July 29th.

* * *
CULVER'S JDRF NIGHT
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where: East Peoria Culver's
901 W. Camp St.
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm


On Wednesday, August 19 between 4 -8pm, Culver's in East Peoria will donate 10% of all earnings to support the JDRF. A tasty way to raise additional funds for research!
* * *

Golf Outing to Benefit JDRF

Friday, September 11, 2009
Pine Lakes Golf Club
25130 Schuck Rd
Washington, IL 61571

12:30pm Shot Gun Start, (11:30am check-in; please arrive by noon)
Dinner & silent auction immediately following.
$85/golfer or $300/foursome
(includes green fees, cart, dinner, and a chance to win prizes)
****$30/person (dinner only)****

Questions? Call Jennifer at 309-243-2131 or Amanda 309-243-2989.

* * *
Central Illinois family teams interested in creating their own Walk shirts can connect with fellow Walk Team Captain, Christi Monroe, on ideas at Christi.monroe@comcast.net or 309-925-3112.

* * *
The Peoria Walk will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Register today at www.walk.jdrf.org.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sneaker Sales

JDRF Illinois is so grateful for the support of our local sneaker sales partners: Berkot's Super Foods, Omaha Steaks and Waxberg Walk Shoppe. Thank you so much for your continued support of JDRF!

JDRF is also grateful for our National Sneaker Sales Partners:

Advance Auto Parts will deliver a JDRF campaign to remember this year with a goal of raising $3 million for JDRF. Advance will sell JDRF sneakers in over 3,400 stores nationwide from August 27 through October 3, 2009. Be sure to stop by an Advance Auto Parts store and thank them for their incredible support!
Gordman's launched a sneaker sales and fundraising program in 2008 that raised over $100,000 for JDRF! We are thrilled that they will continue their partnership with JDRF in 2009! Starting on Friday, August 7th through Sunday, August 23rd, Gordmans will be selling sneakers in all of their 65 locations in 16 states. Gordmans prides themselves on delighting their guests with big savings on name brands in fun, easy-to-shop stores. For more information on the company and store locations visit http://www.gordmans.com/.

Marshalls is an organization that is committed to giving back to its communities and has committed to doing so with their pledge to JDRF. Over the past 16 years, the Marshalls sneaker sales campaign has raised more than $13.8 million, raising nearly $1.3 million in 2008 alone. Please visit a Marshalls store near you between August 23rd and September 26th and help them reach their goal of $1.5 million by purchasing a JDRF Sneaker and thanking Marshalls for their continued and tremendous support of JDRF’s efforts to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The Fresh Market will sell green JDRF sneakers in all 90 store locations from August 28 through September 13, 2009. The Fresh Market’s signature Sidewalk Sale event will take place from September 11 through September 13 in all Fresh Market stores. Illinois stores are located in Geneva, Kildeer & Wilmette. The Fresh Market will sell root beer floats, gourmet hot dogs, and other tasty treats from 11:00 AM through 6:00 PM each day of the weekend with proceeds benefitting JDRF! Support JDRF & The Fresh Market's fundraising efforts by visiting your local store during their campaign.

Walgreens continues to be a wonderful partner to JDRF and have generated $17 million dollars over the past two decades! Walgreens will sell a $1 coupon booklet featuring the JDRF sneaker logo in over 7,000 Walgreens outlets across the country from November 1st to November 30th. Be sure to stop in your local Walgreens to buy the coupon booklet and thank them for their generous support of JDRF!

Is your company interested in selling sneakers to support JDRF? Selling sneakers for JDRF is easy, efficient and no cost to you. Every sneaker sold brings us closer to a cure! Please contact the JDRF office at 312.670.0313 and ask for your local Walk Manager to learn more.

JDRF Day at the Windy City Thunderbolts

Join us for JDRF Day at the Windy City Thunderbolts! Connect with JDRF representatives and other JDRF family teams and cheer on the Thunderbolts together!

What: JDRF DAY AT THE THUNDERBOLTS

When: Friday, July 24th 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
Thunderbolts v. River City Rascals

Where: Standard Bank Stadium
14011 S. Kenton Ave., Crestwood, IL 60445

How: Call Donna at 312-447-7954 to order your tickets, $10 per ticket!

See below flier for additional details.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Ford's Family Team Sponsorship



Ford's Operation Goodwill Campaign



Ford Motor Company’s Operation Goodwill Campaign helped raise over $100,000 for the 2008 JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes!

Ford continues their role as a JDRF Global Walk Partner and as a JDRF Illinois Chapter Sponsor. We appreciate their continued dedication to our mission!

How does this partnership affect JDRF Walk families? As a presenting sponsor for the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes, Ford dealerships have the unique opportunity to partner with a Walk Family Team. Our goal for this partnership is to establish a connection between Ford and the community while increasing Family Team success.

The inaugural year of the Ford Family Team Sponsorship raised $25,000 through nine Ford Dealerships sponsoring 10 Family Teams. This campaign drove their local participation to new heights and gave JDRF Family Teams an opportunity for greater success! Success means more funding for diabetes research.

What to expect from a Ford dealership as a partner:

• 13 Ford dealerships will select one winning Family Team each (winning teams announced in August).

• Dealerships have the option of hosting Family Team fundraising events at their dealership.

• Ford dealerships will match the money raised by your Family Team - up to $2,500!

What is expected of selected Family Teams:

• Interested JDRF Family Teams must apply for a dealership sponsor.

• If selected, families are responsible for raising money for the Walk through personal campaign letters sent to family, friends, and community members asking for support and highlighting the unique Ford Dealership partnership.

• Family teams may display dealership name on t-shirts, post-walk wrap-up letters, etc.

• If chosen, Family Teams should thank the dealership partner for their commitment to a cure and support of your team.

If your team is interested in this amazing opportunity, please complete the below application and return it to the JDRF Illinois office by Friday, July 31, 2009. We look forward to hearing from you! Please contact Katy Orender, JDRF Lakefront Walk Manager, for more information at 312.423.7196.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

An Evening with Lou Piniella at Harry Caray's


Mingle with Lou Piniella, Ernie Banks and Dutchie Caray on Wednesday, July 8th at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, as the West Side Rooters Social Club host an evening benefiting JDRF!

Bring your questions about the team – Lou will provide up-to-the-minute information about the Cubs during a Q & A. Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $50 each with 100% of the proceeds benefiting JDRF. Ticket price includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Baseballs autographed by Lou, Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, and other noted baseball stars will be sold during the event. Guests can also bid on great auction items including four tickets in Lou’s seats and a meet/greet/photo/autograph session on the field, and four box seat tickets plus a trip on the field to watch batting practice and half an inning with Ron Santo in the broadcast booth.

For more information and to order tickets, visit the West Side Rooters Social Club website.

JDRF & the Jonas Brothers!

Nick Jonas has teamed with Bayer Diabetes Care, to fight juvenile diabetes through various upcoming events.

Bid on tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert on July 10, 2009 at the Allstate Arena. Tickets will be auctioned off on eBay with all proceeds benefiting JDRF!

When you choose the auction, you can bid on your choice of eight ticket packages to see the SOLD OUT Jonas Brothers in concert. Two ticket packages include pre-concert Meet and Greets with the band!

The eBay auctions begin 9:00 a.m. PT on Saturday, July 4, 2009 and close at 9:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 . JDRF will overnight the tickets to the winning bidders for delivery by Thursday, July 9th. Click on the below links to check out the various ticket packages and start your bidding!






Also, check out the “Express Your Simple Win” Creativity Contest! Express your own Simple Win by creating a 15-30 second video with your song, lyric, story, drawing, photo movie or other creative idea. Open to 6-18 year olds with diabetes. Three lucky grand prize winners will meet Nick in person!
For more information, visit www.NicksSimpleWins.com or view this flier.

Questions? Contact Jill Gonyea, JDRF Corporate Relations at 770.343.6116

CONGRATULATIONS to Lauren Hermsen, one of JDRF Illinois' own, who was the June winner! You can view Lauren's winning video below.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Ford Funny Car Design Contest

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

Have you ever dreamed of designing a race car? Now’s your chance! Ford is partnering with JDRF once again with this unique opportunity that raised nearly $85,000 in 2008! Ford is a sponsor of NHRA race car driver Bob Tasca III. He’ll race in Charlotte, North Carolina in a car potentially designed by your child! Your child’s design will be posted on a JDRF website open to the public for on-line “bid” donations to decide the chosen design. Ford will select the winner from the top 5 designs with the highest total bids!

What does this contest do for JDRF and for you?
• All proceeds raised by the “bid” donations will support diabetes research!
• Funds raised by your design can benefit your walk team! So get as many people to donate to your design as possible and watch your team grow!
• Let’s make JDRF Illinois the #1 chapter with the most designs submitted and the highest number of donations collected online! This is a national JDRF contest!


What is my next step to have my child’s design on an NHRA Race Car?
• Read all rules and regulations by clicking here.
• Mail the design to the given address (make sure to include your child’s name, age and chapter).
• Let JDRF Illinois know you sent in a design! Email
Katy Orender.

ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JUNE 30, 2009.

Walk Fundraising Tips






Top Ten Steps for Walk Fundraising

Step One: Online Fundraising is Oh So Easy
Visit http://www.jdrf.org/ and create your own personal page that prospective donors can view. Set your goal, upload your e-mail list, add a personal photo, and send out your customized letters inviting your contacts to make an online credit card contribution. Sit back and watch the dollars grow on your own personal website!

Step Two: Face-to Face Conversations Seal the Deal
Asking people in person is a fast and effective way to collect donations. Ask 10 friends for $10 each and you will raise enough to earn the JDRF Walk t-shirt! Use JDRF and diabetes information available in your Walk brochure or online to inform them about how contributions raised through the Walk to Cure Diabetes will be used and why your personal participation is important to you.

Step Three: Letter Writing Makes an Impact
Sometimes a personalized and stamped letter can work magic. Remember, not everyone has email, so you may have some great potential donors who need to receive your formal solicitation letter.

Step Four: Follow up is Key
Be considerate, but remember that people are busy and may need a little nudge. Share a reminder on why you are raising money for diabetes research. Tell everyone how the fundraising is going and how close you are to your goal, and remind them that it’s not too late to contribute. This little reminder can clinch your success!

Step Five: Matching Gifts Double Your Efforts
Find out if your company has a matching gift program. Always remember to ask your sponsors whether or not their companies will match their donations. See if your company offers a match program at www.matchinggifts.com/jdrf.

Step Six: Walk Brochure—Never Leave Home Without It
Always carry a JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes brochure wherever you go. You never know when you will run into a potential supporter!

Step Seven: Ask Where You Shop, ‘Til You Drop
Ask the businesses you frequent for a donation—such as your grocer, hair stylist, dry cleaner, doctor, gym, coffee shop, and favorite restaurant.

Step Eight: Grab Peoples’ Attention
Promote your efforts for the cause by wearing your favorite Walk to Cure Diabetes T-shirt. You will be more "official" and get more attention promoting your upcoming Walk. Also bring along a personal story to share—if you don’t have a diabetes connection, ask your local JDRF Chapter for a Child Ambassador’s story.

Step Nine: Donor Amounts—Think Big, Get Big Results
Don’t undersell your cause and your efforts! Any size donation is great, but if you ask for too small of an amount, people will limit their giving. Try saying "I am asking 10 of my friends for $10 – can you make a donation to fund diabetes research?" Or if you are fundraising online, ask someone who you think will make a larger donation to let you list it on your fundraising webpage – people will see that example and follow suit!

Step Ten: Always Be Thankful
Be sure to send thank you notes to all your donors. Let them know how much you raised, as well as how much your local Walk to Cure Diabetes raised. You can also share some great research funding highlights.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Save the Date & Spread the Word!

Welcome to our new Walk blog and the 31st Annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes! We are thrilled to expand into Central Illinois this year with our 6th official Walk location. Save the dates and help us find a cure!

Sunday, September 13, 2009 in Peoria.

Sunday, October 4th in 5 Chicagoland locations:

Register for the 2009 Walk at www.walk.jdrf.org today!


Why Walk?
As many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, a disease most often diagnosed in childhood that strikes suddenly, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Thanks to dramatic research progress, a cure is now within our reach.
The Walk draws people together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause, raising money to help find a cure for diabetes. It's fun for families and builds camaraderie among company employees. Above all, you’ll feel great about doing something good.

Click on the envelope below to e-mail this Save the Date to your friends, family, co-workers, etc.!