IL Tax Check Off Program Allows You to Give to JDRF

If you receive a tax refund, please take a moment to consider sharing it with JDRF. By simply designating dollars to the Diabetes Research option (Option H), you’ll support JDRF’s mission and ensure Diabetes Research remains as an option on this important source of funding for the Illinois Chapter.

Last year we raised $50,000 through this program, which was just enough contributions to qualify to stay on the check list for this year. Help us ensure we don’t lose this important source of revenue!

Make giving to JDRF easy!

Click here to access the IL Attachment No. 24 form.

Thank you!

Boston's Cares - 2011 JDRF Campaign

Boston’s Pizza will once again be hosting it’s annual fundraising campaign to benefit JDRF.  The Boston’s Cares promotion will run from January 11th through February 14th. 

During that time, Boston’s locations will sell paper hearts for $1.00 with all proceeds going to JDRF.  Additionally, $1.00 from the sale of two menu items— Mini Dippers and Chocolate Amoré—will also be donated to JDRF.

From February 11th —14th, Boston’s will donate $1.00 for every heart-shaped pizza sold towards JDRF’s mission to fund diabetes research.

Gather your family, friends or co-workers and pay a visit to your local Boston’s Pizza! Enjoy these delicious menu items and support their fundraising efforts. 

Boston's is located at:

7216 West 191ST Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Ph: 815-464-9844

For hours & directions, click here. 

Thank you, Boston's!

2010 Walk Awards Receptions

We had two wonderful nights of celebration at the 2010 JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes Awards Receptions on January 13th and 26th. Special thank you to Nick Digilio of WGN Radio 720 for serving as the emcee in the Chicago area and to Rocky Vonachen of the Peoria Chiefs and Scott Robbins of 1470WMBD who took the stage in Peoria.

The celebrations were certainly bittersweet as we continue to mourn the loss of our champion, Ron Santo, but we know Ron would have wanted us to celebrate his Walk and everyone's collective efforts to find a cure.  While the Walk will no longer be quite the same without Ron, its part of a special legacy that he leaves behind – and one that we will continue in his honor.  To view a special photo montage of Ron, click here.

While our Walk efforts fell short of our $5 million goal, we are still projecting an incredible $4.5 million raised.  We continue to receive donations for the 2010 Walk and we will continue to accept them!  Please send in any additional donations you have and help our total rise! 

NOTE:  All contributions can be mailed to the JDRF Illinois Chapter office at 11 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603-1344. Don't forget to include any matching gift forms your donations are eligible for!  Please be sure to include a note with your team name, walker name and Walk site or use an official collection envelope.


Some highlights of the Awards Receptions included honoring the top fundraising family & corporate team at each Walk site:


2010 Team Cup Winners:


Busse Woods
Corporate Team:  Allstate (Over $86,000 Raised!)

Family Team:  Samantha's Steppers (over $41,000 raised!)

Lakefront

Corporate Team: Ford Motor Company (over $132,000 raised!)

Family Team: Carson’s Thunder (over $23,000)


Libertyville

Corporate Team: Aldridge Electric (over $85,000)

Family Team: Family & Primetime Friends of Michelle (over $63,000)

Lisle

Corporate Team: Exelon Corporation (over $100,000)

Family Team: Jack's Team (nearly $20,000)

Palos Hills

Corporate Team: Berkot’s Ryan’s Rescuers (over $74,000 raised!)

Family Team: Hooten Hoppers (over $23,000 raised!)

Peoria

Corporate Team: Janssen's Justice for JDRF (nearly $6,000)

Family Team: Edna's Angels (nearly $34,000)

Other top awards went to our:


Diamond Award Winners (Team who raised $100,000+)  

• Ford Motor Company
• Exelon Corporation

Platinum Award Winners (Teams who raised $50,000-$99,999)

• The Warranty Group  
• Aldridge Electric, Inc. 
• Allscripts  
• Nalco Company  
• Berkot's Ryan's Rescuers 
• Team Allstate  
• Emkay Inc.  
• Harris Associates/Oakmark Funds  
• Walgreens

2010 T-Shirt Contest Winners!   


Busse Woods:  Meg’s Militia

Lakefront:  Marathoners Supporting JDRF

Libertyville:  Sari’s Journey for a Cure

Lisle: Hoof It for Heather

Palos Hills:  Kempczynski Cruisers

Peoria:  Blythe's Blessings

Corporate Team:  The Warranty Group

Below are some pictures from the night...

Congratulations to all of our award winners!

Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes

Now is the perfect time to organize a JDRF Kids Walk for the coming Spring!

Why Hold a JDRF Kids Walk?

The Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes is an educational school fundraising program that raises money to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. While raising money for JDRF, students learn about diabetes and the importance of making healthy choices. The money raised through this program helps fund type 1 diabetes research and provides additional dollars for your school to use on equipment, field trips, books or whatever your school needs!

How the JDRF Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes Program Works in 5 Easy Steps:

1.  Contact your local Walk Manager to schedule your Kids Walk.  Pick two days, two weeks apart.  Your school can participate anytime of the year!

2.  On the first scheduled date, students are taught about diabetes and the Kids Walk program is explained.

3.  Students have two weeks to collect donations.

4.  Two weeks after the classes have been taught, the Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes is held on your campus. 

5.  Wrap up your campaign.  Expect the students’ prizes, your school banner and your 10% appreciation check to arrive six weeks after your donations and order forms have been received.


Start planning your own JDRF Kids Walk today and join our growing list of successful School Walks like:


Ferson Creek Elementary in St. Charles who raised nearly $9,000 using the Kids Walk program!  Melissa Laskey and her hard working team worked with the school administration to coordinate a fun and well-organized Walk! 


“Exposing our students to service learning needs about Type I diabetes and staying healthy is so valuable.  We are eternally grateful that the student, parents, staff and families of our school made the Kids Walk a success”, said Chris Adkins, Principal, Diabetic and pump wearer for more than 10 years.

OR

J. Covington Elementary School in Oak Lawn, IL who got creative and held a sports themed school walk with fantastic results!  In the month of January, the school came together in support of student Abbie Schmidt, a fourth grader with type 1 diabetes, and raised over $3,400 for JDRF!
Students gathered for a kick-off meeting and enjoyed a personal video that Abbie created about her experience with type 1 diabetes. The students then collected pledges and on the day of the event, they gathered in the school gym and completed various sports challenges.  At the end of the event,  everyone celebrated their success, watched the JDRF Nick Jonas video and received their JDRF Kids Walk prizes.  Special thanks to Toni & Abbie Schmidt of Abbie's All Stars and the entire J. Covington Community!

For more information about the JDRF Kids Walk Program, please visit http://jdrfkidswalk.donordrive.com/.  To set-up your own Kids Walk, please contact your local Walk Manager today!

Casey's General Store & JDRF

Casey's General Store will once again be selling JDRF sneakers during the entire month of February.  Please stop in your local Casey's store to buy a paper sneaker and thank them for their efforts to find a cure!

For a list of Casey's stores, please visit www.caseys.com. 

Thank you, Casey's!