Walk Day is Quickly Approaching...

The Walk is less than 2 months away! Have you and your teammates registered yet? If not, register today at www.jdrfillinois.org!

Please contact your local Walk Manager for assistance with team strategy, fundraising tools or walk day logistics questions, and get started today!

Can't be there on Walk day? Walk virtually! Register and use the online fundraising tools to form your own virtual team.

Important! Upcoming Walk Day Deadlines

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

September 10th - 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 2nd.

September 17th - Team Table deadline. All pre-registered teams with 10 or more walkers, registered by September 17th at 9 a.m., will have a reserved table with team sign at the Walk site. Team tables will be in alpha order by team name.

November 1st - Incentive Prize deadline. If you would like to receive an incentive prize, please make your selection either on your collection envelope or in your Walk Central account. If you choose not to receive a prize, your full donation will go toward finding a cure.

December 6th - Team Total deadline. All money received by December 6th will count toward your team's 2010 Walk team total and award level. Awards are distributed at the Walk Awards Ceremony in January.

Pepsi Refresh Project - Vote Today

Pepsi and JDRF are partnering together to find a cure for diabetes! Through the Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsi applauds efforts in support of charitable causes. Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars to fund great ideas nationwide.

Applicants were asked to share their best fundraising idea. Three Illinois finalists have been selected. Congratulations to local Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes participants: Dan Polhill, Collette Williams and Jim Foster.

Now its time to vote for your favorite! Cast 1 vote for your favorite idea each day from now through September 30th at walgreens.refresheverything.com. The winning contestant will receive a $10,000 JDRF grant; second and third place winners will each receive a $2,500 JDRF grant.

Good luck to all of our Illinois finalists!

2010 Walk Kick-Off Events

Thank you to everyone who attended our Walk Kick-off Luncheon on August  11th at the Hyatt O'Hare. Ron Santo made a special appearance to help us officially kick-off the 2010 Walk and shared some great stories with the room. We are lucky to have such a wonderful champion! Thank you, Ron!

Ron Santo & Maggie Monson at the 2010 Walk Kick-Off Luncheon

A special thank you to Cole & Lexi DeYoung who were the Youth Ambassadors at last week's event. Cole & Lexi, sisters who both have type 1, shared how much a cure would change their lives and how important it is for everyone involved to raise as much money as possible for a cure, for them and the millions of others living with diabetes. Thank you for inspiring us, Cole & Lexi!

Our Kick-Off Breakfast was held on August 17th at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Special thanks to Bailey Stearns, our youth ambassador, Kristin Kotara, Southwest Suburban Corporate Chair, our "walk experts" who sat on the panel and all those that attended for their support of JDRF!

2010 Lakefront Corporate Chair, Fred Walz, of Grant Thornton, will host the 2010 Lakefront Corporate Team Captain Power Lunch.

This is a great opportunity for our Corporate Team Captains to meet together, discuss ideas specifically designed for corporate teams, and finish the Walk strong! Lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010

Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm

Location: Grant Thornton, 175 W. Jackson Blvd.,13th Floor Training Room

R.S.V.P. to Katy Orender at korender@jdrf.org or 312-423-7196 by Friday, August 20th.

If you were unable to attend any of our Walk Kick-off events, you can still order your Walk Materials (brochures, collection envelopes, posters, sneakers, etc.) by going to the JDRF Illinois website, www.jdrfillinois.org. Click on the Ron Santo Walk tab and the yellow Order Walk Materials button on the left. Walk materials are free of charge and shipped directly to you.

Central Illinois Walk News

The Coffey's Race to Cure Diabetes was held in Peoria's Detweiller Park on July 31st. The 3-mile cross country race and 1/2 mile kids fun run had 104 registered runners, making it one of the most well-attended runs since it began six years ago. The Joslin Diabetes Center in Peoria was the lead sponsor and Kay VanRaalt, Manager, ran as a new runner! Running Central provided a great tent for participants to enjoy. Over $2,000 is expected to be raised from this wonderful event. Congratulations to race organizers Michael & Dawn Helgeson and to the Coffey Family!

Golfing "Fore" a Cure will be held on Friday, September 10th at the Pine Lakes Golf Club in Washington, IL. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a shot-gun start (scramble) at 12:30 p.m. and a dinner at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction and great prizes! $90 per golfer or $340 for a foursome. Sponsorship opportunities available. QUESTIONS? Please contact Jennifer VandeWiele 309.243.2131, jennifervandewiele@comcast.net or Amanda Streitmatter 309.243.2989, streitak@hotmail.com.

TEAMS ON THE GO!

Check out what these teams are doing and see how they will inspire you:

Jimel's Team will host "An Evening of Hope" on Saturday, August 21st, from 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. at the Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago, IL. The event will feature cocktails, appetizers, DJ, Live Band and a raffle. The proceeds will benefit their Walk team: $20 donation in advance, $25 at the door. For tickets or more information, please contact Charise Parson-Gardner at 773.259.1668.

BERKOT’S SUPER FOODS is hosting the 7th Annual Ryan’s Rescuers Golf Scramble on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at the Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort, IL. Special celebrity guests will be Dan Hampton, Denis Savard and Roland Harper. Please join Berkot’s in their effort to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. To register your foursome please contact Derrick Cannon at derrickcannon@sbcglobal.net or 815-463-5046.

Caputo and Son’s Fruit Market held their first annual Golf Tournament benefitting JDRF. The tournament raised over $15,000 for diabetes research. Congratulations on a successful event and we look forward to working with you in 2011.
Cruisin' for Conor held a tiki-themed Jazz night at the end of July to benefit their Walk team. The event was held in honor of Conor, a 12-year old diabetic. It was a fun-filled night with the main attraction being Four on the Floor, a jazz ensemble from the local community which Conor hopes to join someday. Attending guests made donations, purchased silent auction items and t-shirts for Crusin’ for Conor and helped raise nearly $3,000. To help promote the voting for the Pepsi Refresh Project, as one of the 3 finalists, they tied reminder notes around Pepsi cans at the party. Good Luck, Conor!

The Nalco corporate team is getting started early and held their internal kick-off at the beginning of the month. Nalco employees are rallying their support and fundraising already. Some Nalco walkers shared why they are involved in the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. “I walk because it takes so little time and energy to do so much in the lives of those who need our help.” Another Nalco employee walks because “We have friends and our children have friends who are affected by this disease. By walking we are helping make a difference and teaching our children the value of “giving back.” Plus we have a great time as a family!”
Supporting Sponsor, UGL Equis, raised over $400 last year during their company Ice Cream Social, where Executives served everyone, benefitting their JDRF Walk team. Anyone who donated $2 could participate. This year they are raising the stakes with a Bagel Fundraising Breakfast for a suggested $5 donation. What a tasty way to raise additional funds!

Salon Two Nine is gearing up for the Walk and trying some new fundraising ideas. They held a cut-a-thon on Saturday, August 7th at the North Aurora Days by offering $10 haircuts with all proceeds benefiting JDRF. It was a huge success and they had over a three-hour wait for haircuts and raised over $750! Salon Two Nine is also kicking-off their Sneaker Sales campaign at the salon this month. Way to go Salon Two Nine!

If you are holding an event to benefit your Walk Team, please let us know! We'd love to help promote it.  Contact your local Walk Manager with details.  

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is once again stepping up their efforts this year by focusing on expanding their Walk Team. They officially kicked things off at their internal kick-off on July 28th. The room was packed as Dan Seelye explained Ford’s team strategy this year. Four Team Captains will lead four departments within the office. Thermometer posters are already on the walls for each team and will be updated with team totals twice a week. The winning team will receive two tickets and backstage passes to a Toby Keith concert in September. They can use these tickets to raffle off and raise even more funds for JDRF. The top fundraiser for the whole office will receive two tickets and backstage passes to use as they wish. The contest takes place all of August.


Ford Motor Company Team Captains are also coordinating a “Three Club Challenge” Golf tournament on behalf of JDRF and their Walk Team in early September. A $25 donation to JDRF and the green fee cost is all it takes for a chance to play in this 9-hole tournament that’s sure to be entertaining. Participants must pick only three clubs to use the whole tournament. Winning teams will win prizes and bragging rights. What a creative idea and a great way to build employee morale!


Great ideas Ford! Keep up the good work!

The Arboretum of South Barrington

A very special thank you to The Arboretum of South Barrington for hosting a Summer Stroll cocktail tasting benefiting JDRF. Over 100 supporters strolled The Arboretum, bid on silent auction items, and enjoyed a nice summer evening in support of JDRF. Thank you, Aaron Gadiel for your dedication to JDRF and the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. A very special thanks to Karen Kerbis of Wells Fargo/The A Team and Les Lynott of Emkay for their hard work to make the event a huge success!

School News

Ferson Creek Elementary in St. Charles, IL will hold a Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes on October 1st, 2010 at their school during school hours. As in 2008, the entire student and staff will be participating in the 2-mile walk around the school during school hours after collecting optional donations for the two weeks prior to the Walk.

In 2008 when the walk was last held, the school of more than 600 kids raised more than $12,000 solely because ”everyone knew someone” with Type 1 diabetes, whether it was a family member or friend. The amount raised was completely overwhelming and unexpected!

“ 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 Kid Walk a success”, said Chris Adkins, Principal, Diabetic and pump wearer for more than 10 years. Thank you Ferson Creek Elementary and Good Luck!

South Park Elementary School in Deerfield, IL selected JDRF as the focus of their Helping Hands Day Philanthropy Project. Their school's fundraising efforts raised almost $12,000 for JDRF! Congratulations to the students and families at South Park Elementary and a special thank you to Diane Near who helped organize this incredible effort.

The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market will once again sell green JDRF sneakers in all 90 store locations from August 27th through September 12th. The Fresh Market’s signature Sidewalk Sale event will take place from September 10th through September 12th. The Illinois Fresh Market stores are located in Geneva, Kildeer, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Peoria and Normal. The Fresh Market will sell root beer floats, gourmet hot dogs, and other tasty treats (low carb/low sugar options available) 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.



We are looking for volunteer support for their Sidewalk Sale. Please contact your local Walk Manager if you are interested in volunteering.

Diabetes is Hard to "Bear" A Great Way to Raise Funds with Plushland Bears

Plushland Bears is offering a great fundraising promotion to all JDRF Walk supporters with the sale of their JDRF Walk bear. For additional details and to get started on your fundraiser, visit www.plushland.com/JDRF or call 1.888.500.8697.

A Relaxing Way to Support JDRF - Mary Kay Challenge

Heidi Donaubauer, Bauer Power Family Team Captain, and Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, has been presented with a challenge to set 10 spa appointments during August 13-15th.  Heidi has accepted this challenge because for all those that complete the challenge - there is a chance to win a $1,000 bonus, which she will donate back to JDRF! In addition, for those that book and hold their Spa Appointments, she will dontate 10% of the profits to JDRF as well! To learn more, or to book your appointment with Heidi today, please visit www.marykay.com/hdonaubauer08. 

Good Luck, Heidi!

2010 Walk Kick-Off Events

Help us kick-off the 2010 Walk by attending one of our kick-off events. Learn about new Walk tools, pick-up your Walk materials, network with other teams, swap fundraising ideas and start the 2010 Walk season with a bang!


Kick-Off Luncheon
Wednesday, August 11th
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Hyatt O'Hare
9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Rosemont, IL 60018


Please R.S.V.P. by August 6th to 312.447.7970 or walk@jdrfillinois.org.


OR


Kick-Off Breakfast
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Please R.S.V.P. by August 13th to 312.447.7970 or walk.jdrfillinois.org.


Please indicate breakfast or lunch when submitting your R.S.V.P. and include all guest names and whether they are an adult or child.

Important Walk Reminders

The Walk is just 2 months away! Have you registered yet? Register today at www.jdrfillinois.org! Please contact your local Walk Manager for assistance with team strategy, fundraising tools or walk day logistics questions, and get started today!



Can't be there on Walk day? Walk virtually! Register and use the online fundraising tools to form your own virtual team.

Walk Materials are also now available to order on our Chapter website under the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes page. These materials are available, free of charge, to help you spread awareness and grow your team!

Have you set a goal? Walk Awards and Incentive Prizes are something to strive for when setting your goal.

2010 Walk 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


2010 Incentive Prizes
Walkers who raise $100 will receive a JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes t-shirt on the day of the Walk. Walkers who raise $200 or more can select one of our gift catalogs. You can view all of the award levels and prizes at www.jdrf.org/greatprizes.


Team T-Shirt Contest
Don't forget to enter the t-shirt contest! JDRF or Walk logo must be visible on t-shirt to enter. Drop-off the smallest size of your team t-shirt at the registration tent on Walk day. All winning t-shirts are signed by Ron Santo and framed! Details coming soon on our exciting new voting process.

Register to Walk today at www.walk.jdrf.org!

Central Illinois Walk News

Pete and Rocky Vonachen hosted the 2nd Annual Corporate Breakfast for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes at O'Brien Field on June 15th. The event was well attended, with many new guests. Core Construction shared how they support JDRF by dedicating their efforts to an employee's family member: Blythe. Blythe and her family team, Blythe's Blessing's, shared a bit about their journey with Type 1. Three of Blythe's four siblings shared how diabetes has effected their whole family and how proud they are of her, their 8 year old sister, who shows strength and determination everyday. It was a motivational morning, and we look forward to energizing many new corporate teams this year!


The Family Team Kick-Off was held at the Peoria Zoo on June 26th. Despite HOT temperatures, many families enjoyed the zoo, dinner and a short program. A few key volunteer leaders shared information: Lori Coffey spoke about letter writing campaigns, Phi Quine spoke about the School Walk program, and Christi Monroe spoke about how to make a Family Team T-shirt. The Peoria teams are looking forward to getting re-energized for this year's Walk! Go Peoria!

Register for the Central Illinois Walk today at www.walk.jdrf.org. 

For additional Walk details, please visit http://jdrfillinois.org/walk/peoria.html.

Facebook & Fundraising

TEAM SPOTLIGHT: ANNE'S FANS - FINDING A CURE
Family team, Anne’s Fans, has come up with a creative way to get the word out about their team. They’ve created a Facebook page for their Walk team! They use this as a way to communicate with their friends and family about JDRF and the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. They are using the page to recruit walkers and keep them up to date on JDRF and Walk news. At the beginning of the month, they posted a challenge on their team Facebook page: asking all “fans” to forward along to their Facebook Friends and challenge them to make a $10 donation. Become an Anne's Fans – finding a cure for type 1 diabetes facebook fan today by clicking here! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Annes-Fans-finding-a-cure-for-type-1-diabetes/111452342216482?ref=ts

Facebook Tip - How to add your fundraising thermometer to your Facebook page:


1)  Go to My Account > Application Settings
2)  At "JDRF Walk Fundraising" go to "Edit Settings"
3)  Add the application to your tabs.

Please note: You should not add it to "Boxes" if the option is there (this is a feature Facebook is phasing out and does not work with our application).

Team Spotlight

Check out what these teams are doing and see how they will inspire you:



Alicia Fuller and her team, Shop Love Alicia, are selling her Walk for the Cure bracelets with 50% of the proceeds going towards her team. You can check out her website at http://www.wix.com/lovealicia/Love-Alicia%20today!


Team Carson's Thunder and Margaret's Miracles held a fundraising event on Monday June 28 at Il Poggiolo restaurant in Hinsdale. This restaurant generously allows individuals to come in and act as a guest bartenders for the evening in the name of their favorite charity. Beth Carey, Michele Geye, Shannon Green and Jean Sullivan all worked their magic behind the bar and about 60 friends and family members joined them for a fun upbeat evening. With 20% of the proceeds donated by Il Poggiolo and the tips and donations from attendees, they raised $1,519! What a great way to generate funds and expand their network of friends to support JDRF's mission.


Ed Miniat, Inc. employees will have the opportunity to enjoy “Casual Dress Week for a Cure.” If an employee makes a donation to JDRF they can dress casually all week long! What a great idea and incentive program! Thanks “Team Miniat” for your continued support!



BERKOT’S SUPER FOODS and Luke and Kristin Kotara, Southwest Suburban Corporate Chairs, are hosting the 7th Annual Ryan’s Rescuers Golf Scramble on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at the Green Garden Country Club, 9511 West-Manhattan-Monee Rd. Frankfort, IL 60423. Please join Berkot’s and the Kotara Family in their effort to cure diabetes. For sponsorship information or to join in on a day of golf and fun please contact Derrick Cannon at derrickcannon@sbcglobal.net or 815-463-5046.


Silpada Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry has been working hard to help “polish” out juvenile diabetes with the sales of their jewelry polishing cloths and has donated almost $1 million since 2004 to JDRF. And now, Independent Silpada Designs Representative from Chicago, Christina DeVoll, has provided a unique, fun way to raise funds for your JDRF Walk team while hosting a girls night out with fabulous handcrafted jewelry! Sounds like a fun way to help JDRF and get some fabulous free jewelry for yourself! Please contact Christina directly at christina.devoll@verizon.net or visit her website www.mysilpada.com/christina.devoll to view the catalog and for more information. She can personalize a fundraising program specifically for you and your walk team!

Do you have a event coming up to benefit your Walk Team or did you just hold a successful event?  Please let us know about it!  E-mail your local Walk Manager with details.

The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market will once again sell green JDRF sneakers in all 90 store locations from August 27th through September 12th. The Fresh Market’s signature Sidewalk Sale event will take place from September 10th through September 12th. The Illinois Fresh Market stores are located in Geneva, Kildeer, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Peoria and Normal. The Fresh Market will sell root beer floats, gourmet hot dogs, and other tasty treats (low carb/low sugar options available) 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.

We are looking for volunteer support for their Sidewalk Sale. Please contact your local Walk Manager if you are interested in volunteering.