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 Café 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.