Brian Sterk, of Team Brian Sterk, will be tweeting about life with type 1 diabetes all day on Wednesday, July 20th. Follow #JDRFlife to hear more from Brian and learn more about his typical day with type 1 diabetes.
Do you follow JDRFIllinois on Twitter? Sign up today and stay connected!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ron Santo Night at Wrigley Field - August 10th
Join JDRF Illinois on August 10th at Wrigley Field for Ron Santo Night. Before the game, the Chicago Cubs will unveil a statue in his honor outside of the ballpark. Ron's family and former teammates like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Fergie Jenkins will be part of the unveiling ceremony. To help honor his JDRF legacy, the Cubs will donate $10 to JDRF from each on-line bleacher and terrace reserved outfield purchase when you type "JDRF" as the special coupon code.
Visit www.cubs.com to order your tickets today and be sure to select the appropriate seats using the JDRF coupon code. Check the jdrfillinois.org web site for future updates about Ron Santo Day at Wrigley Field, but plan to arrive early to witness some of the festivities!
Visit www.cubs.com to order your tickets today and be sure to select the appropriate seats using the JDRF coupon code. Check the jdrfillinois.org web site for future updates about Ron Santo Day at Wrigley Field, but plan to arrive early to witness some of the festivities!
Walgreens Way to Well Commitment Campaign
As a Way to Well partner, Walgreens will be conducting a scannable donation campaign for JDRF during the Back-to-School season from August 1 through August 31 at their over 7,500 locations across the U.S.
This new campaign features two ways to give:
1) Buy the scannable to support JDRF for $1
And/Or
2) Buy a 64 box of Crayola Crayons and $1 will be donated to JDRF (up to $20,000 additional dollars!)
Please visit your local Walgreens store during the month of August, buy a scannable and/or a 64 count box of Crayola Crayons and thank the store for their continued support of JDRF!
We also encourage you to check out Walgreens' other new endeavor, Walk with Walgreens, www.walgreens.com/walk, where consumers are encouraged to walk, log their steps and get rewards from Walgreens.
Thank you, Walgreens!
The JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Are you registered? Register your team today at www.walk.jdrf.org!
Click here for a step-by-step guide through the new registration process. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call your Walk Manager so we can help walk you through the process or answer any questions.
Can't be there on Walk Day?
JDRF's new registration page now offers registration for "Virtual Walkers" who are not able to attend the Walk, but still want to raise money for a cure! Virtual Walkers qualify for incentive prizes, team awards, etc. Even if you can't be there with us, you can still make a difference and help bring us closer to a cure!
It's never too early to register your team or to start raising funds!
Any team who registers between July 15th - July 31st will be entered to win a $20 Applebee's gift card*. So, don't wait! Register today!
Special thanks to the Chicagoland area Applebee's restaurants for their generous donations to help boost our fundraising efforts.
*Some restrictions apply.
It's never too early to register your team or to start raising funds!
Any team who registers between July 15th - July 31st will be entered to win a $20 Applebee's gift card*. So, don't wait! Register today!
Special thanks to the Chicagoland area Applebee's restaurants for their generous donations to help boost our fundraising efforts.
*Some restrictions apply.
SAVE THE DATE! 2011 Pre-Walk Events
We hope you will join us at one of the below events as we officially kick-off the 2011 Walk season! Learn about new Walk tools, pick-up your Walk materials, network with other teams, swap fundraising ideas, and start the 2011 Walk season with a bang!
The Chicagoland 2011 Kick-Off Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 12 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt O’Hare (9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont). $10 for garage parking.
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The Chicagoland 2011 Kick-Off Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 12 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt O’Hare (9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont). $10 for garage parking.
Please RSVP by Friday, August 5th to 312-447-7970 or walk@jdrfillinois.org.
Are you a Corporate Team Captain? Please join us on Wednesday, August 17th for the Corporate Power Lunch hosted by Lakefront Corporate Chair, Mary Culler of Ford Motor Company. Hear from successful team captains, exchange fundraising ideas with other companies, and build a plan for success! Thank you to Mary Culler and Ford for hosting and to Grant Thornton for opening their doors once again.
Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Time: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Location: Grant Thornton, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., 13th Floor Training Room
Please contact Katy Akester at 312.423.7196 or kakester@jdrf.org with any questions or to RSVP.
The Central Illinois Walk Team Captain Kick-Off Event will be held on Thursday, August 18th at O’Brien Field. More details to come...
Family Team Open House Event - September 8th
# # #
Are you a Corporate Team Captain? Please join us on Wednesday, August 17th for the Corporate Power Lunch hosted by Lakefront Corporate Chair, Mary Culler of Ford Motor Company. Hear from successful team captains, exchange fundraising ideas with other companies, and build a plan for success! Thank you to Mary Culler and Ford for hosting and to Grant Thornton for opening their doors once again.
Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Time: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Location: Grant Thornton, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., 13th Floor Training Room
Please contact Katy Akester at 312.423.7196 or kakester@jdrf.org with any questions or to RSVP.
# # #
The Central Illinois Walk Team Captain Kick-Off Event will be held on Thursday, August 18th at O’Brien Field. More details to come...
# # #
Family Team Open House Event - September 8th
We will be hosting a Family Team Open House event on Thursday, September 8th from 4-6 p.m. at the Tyner Center, 2400 Compass Road in Glenview. Official invitation coming soon. This event is geared towards new family teams who have just signed on to the Walk and want to learn how to be successful fundraisers. Special thanks to Chuck Balling and the Glenview Park District for donating this beautiful space.
Let’s make this year’s Walk the best yet –
in honor of our favorite #10.
ATTENTION FAMILY TEAMS - 2011 FORD FAMILY TEAM SPONSORSHIP
The third year of the Ford Family Team Sponsorship raised over $30,000 through 14 Ford Dealerships sponsoring 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. Apply now to be part of the 4th year of this program. Over 20 Family Teams will be supported this year. Thank you Ford!
Click here to learn more about the program and to apply. Please contact Katy Akester if you have any questions: kakester@jdrf.org or 312-423-7196.
FUNDRAISING TIPS - GET STARTED TODAY!
JDRF’s Walk season is here and it’s time to gear up for successful FUNdraising! Raising money toward a cure for diabetes isn't difficult. Click on the below links for some great ways to raise money:
- Top Ten Fundraising Tips - 10 easy ways to help you reach your goal!
- Fundraising Menu of Ideas - Collected from JDRF Corporate Team Captains to help enhance your Walk team.
- Summer FUNdraising Flyer - Some fun ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, while raising money for your Walk team.
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Did you know that JDRF Walk Materials are available to you to help in your fundraising efforts? Visit www.jdrfillinois.org and click on the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes tab at the top. Then click on the yellow Order Walk Materials button on the left. You will then be brought to a menu of materials available to you, i.e. Walk Brochures, Collection Envelopes, Posters, Sneakers, etc. All materials are free of charge and will be sent directly to you. We hope you will use these materials to grow your team and increase your fundraising success!
Kick-off your fundraising efforts today!
RON SANTO WALK SPOTLIGHT: KAREN KERBIS
JDRF Illinois wants to thank Karen Kerbis for serving as the Busse Woods Site Chair for the past 12 years. The Kerbis family will be relocating to San Francisco this fall. Karen and her family became involved with the chapter after her son Adam was diagnosed at the age of six. Karen and Adam were selected to participate in Children’s Congress in 1999, where they had an incredible experience. Karen said, “it was the most incredible experience for both of us. Being surrounded by so many incredible children with diabetes and their families was comforting to both me and Adam, and we saw how powerful the voices of 50+ children could be in Congress. We felt the strength and support of JDRF, and it was amazing!”
When Karen returned from Children's Congress she was asked to get more involved and soon after started her run as Busse Woods Site Chair.
"It's hard to describe the feeling you get on Walk weekend, watching an empty field magically transform into the amazing event that is the Walk. Anyone who has ever served on a site committee knows what I mean. I have had the honor of working with the most incredible JDRF staff and volunteers, and as a team, we make the magic happen. It's the satisfaction we get from having run a successful event that keeps us coming back year after year."
As for what she'll miss most about her involvement with the Walk: "I'll miss working with my amazing Walk manager, Megan Gavin, and my dedicated site committee. I'll also miss attending the Walk at Busse Woods - it's something my family looks forward to each year. It's become such an important part of our lives as we battle to raise funds to find a cure for diabetes."
Thank you, Karen for your support, dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Busse Woods Site Committee. Karen summed up her experience with JDRF in these words: “Being involved with JDRF in general, and the Walk in particular, has changed my life. The experience I've gained as site chair has given me confidence and strength that have helped me both personally and professionally. I've also been fortunate to have met some of the most incredible people over the years, including the amazing, motivating Ron Santo, who we miss dearly. Through my involvement and experience, I've had the opportunity to help newly diagnosed families get acclimated and know that they'll always be able to reach out to JDRF for the support they need. I know that I'll always be involved with JDRF, no matter where life takes me. It's an incredible organization.”
Karen, you are one of a kind! We will miss you here in Illinois! Good luck to you and your family as you open a new chapter in your lives.
 |
| Karen Kerbis (right) on Walk Day at the Busse Woods Site. |
When Karen returned from Children's Congress she was asked to get more involved and soon after started her run as Busse Woods Site Chair.
"It's hard to describe the feeling you get on Walk weekend, watching an empty field magically transform into the amazing event that is the Walk. Anyone who has ever served on a site committee knows what I mean. I have had the honor of working with the most incredible JDRF staff and volunteers, and as a team, we make the magic happen. It's the satisfaction we get from having run a successful event that keeps us coming back year after year."
As for what she'll miss most about her involvement with the Walk: "I'll miss working with my amazing Walk manager, Megan Gavin, and my dedicated site committee. I'll also miss attending the Walk at Busse Woods - it's something my family looks forward to each year. It's become such an important part of our lives as we battle to raise funds to find a cure for diabetes."
Thank you, Karen for your support, dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Busse Woods Site Committee. Karen summed up her experience with JDRF in these words: “Being involved with JDRF in general, and the Walk in particular, has changed my life. The experience I've gained as site chair has given me confidence and strength that have helped me both personally and professionally. I've also been fortunate to have met some of the most incredible people over the years, including the amazing, motivating Ron Santo, who we miss dearly. Through my involvement and experience, I've had the opportunity to help newly diagnosed families get acclimated and know that they'll always be able to reach out to JDRF for the support they need. I know that I'll always be involved with JDRF, no matter where life takes me. It's an incredible organization.”
Karen, you are one of a kind! We will miss you here in Illinois! Good luck to you and your family as you open a new chapter in your lives.
CREATING YOUR OWN LETTER WRITING & VIDEO LETTER CAMPAIGNS
The Letter Writing Campaign has proven to be one of the most effective (and easiest) ways to raise money for the Walk. By simply drafting a “Dear Family and Friends” letter or email explaining why you and your family are participating in the JDRF Walk, you can reach your largest audience without even leaving the comfort of your home! For a step-by-step guide on how you can start your own successful letter writing campaign, click here.
Walk teams across the country are using the Video Letter Campaign to double and even triple their fundraising! It is an easy way to quickly reach a large audience with just the click of a link. You can now upload your videos into the new participant center too!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to create your video letter. Get started on your letter or video today!
Do you have a great letter or video you'd like to share? We'd love to see it! Anyone who e-mails a copy of their letter or video link to Erin Miller at emiller@jdrf.org by July 31st will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 Applebee's gift card.
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Walk teams across the country are using the Video Letter Campaign to double and even triple their fundraising! It is an easy way to quickly reach a large audience with just the click of a link. You can now upload your videos into the new participant center too!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to create your video letter. Get started on your letter or video today!
Do you have a great letter or video you'd like to share? We'd love to see it! Anyone who e-mails a copy of their letter or video link to Erin Miller at emiller@jdrf.org by July 31st will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 Applebee's gift card.
Monday, July 18, 2011
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Check out these exciting Walk team events coming up to benefit JDRF!
On Saturday, July 23rd, The Elusive Group will present Band Together 2011 at CD & Me in Frankfort. The event will include an exciting line up of performers, including American Idol's Chris Medina, and Makeshift Prodigy. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door and can be purchased now at http://www.bandtogether2011./com. Proceeds from this event will benefit JDRF. For more information please visit bandtogether2011.com or contact Megan McGushin at 708.567.3631 or bandtogether@gmail.com.
Fundraising year round is just what corporate team, Pella Windows – Replacement Division, does! They have cleaned out their attic and are creating lots of excitement about JDRF! They will host an internal silent auction, auctioning off 50 items ranging from tables to filing cabinets to computers that employees can bid on and their full donation comes directly to JDRF. Happy bidding!
Emily’s Hope is hosting their 1st Annual Type 1 Diabetes Family Picnic and would love for you to join them! It will be held on Saturday, August 13th at North Aurora Island Park along the Fox River from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Please click here for more details and to register for their free family picnic. Please note that you must register at http://www.emilyshope.org/ by August 6th.
Heather Barnhart's brother and his hockey team, Team Illinois 97, are supporting their family team, Hoof it for Heather, by hitting the ice with a skate-a-thon fundraiser on August 21st! The team will collect donations for the amount of laps they do around the ice rink. HockeyGiant.com is a sponsor for this event and offering a special discount to those who buy something through their website. Use code JDRF15 at checkout for this great discount. This is a great way to stay cool in the summer heat while supporting their favorite cause!
Jimel’s Team is throwing their Annual Evening of Hope on August 27th. 100% of the proceeds go towards their walk team and JDRF! Click here to view the official flyer. They raised $2,000 from the event in 2010. For ticket information, please call 773.320.3712 or e-mail jimelsteam@gmail.com. Thank you to Charise Parson-Gardner and her team!
Maywood Park Night at the Races to benefit JDRF will be held on Friday, September 9th. For more information, please call Lisa Gurick at 708.343.4800, ext.150.
Kim Sutherland, independent design consultant with Willow House, will donate 5% of ALL sales generated from her website, http://decor8diva.willowhouse.com/, to JDRF in support of her son who was diagnosed in 2009 with type 1 diabetes. For more information on hosting a party, fundraising or decorating ideas, please contact Kim 630.945.0095.
* * *
Special thanks to the below teams for recently hosting an event or kicking-off their 2011 JDRF fundraising efforts:
On June 28th, Kristin Kotara of Berkot's Super Foods, hosted a wonderful Spa Event at the new Marc Alan Day Spa in Mokena, IL. Event attendees and enjoyed appetizers while being pampered to the fullest by the owner Geri Melyon and her expert staff. The attendees enjoyed manicures, pedicures, hair treatments facials, massages and more! The evening raised $1,400 with proceeds and door prizes generously donated by Marc Alan Day Spa! Thank you to all involved!
Lisle corporate team, Exelon, is securing their internal planning team by offering an incentive. Employees that sign up to be on their Walk planning committee will be able to park in the official “JDRF” parking spot they have for 2 weeks. This is a great incentive since parking is hard to come by!
Sloan Valve is walking again this year and their Walking Club is getting involved in helping raise donations for their team. Sloan Valve will donate $1 to JDRF for every mile walked by each person in the club during their breaks or lunch during the week. Sloan Valve has also agreed to match what they raise through this program up to $5,000! The fundraiser started in late June and will go until Walk day on October 2nd where they will walk their final mileage together. What a fun and healthy way to raise donations for a cure!
On Saturday, July 23rd, The Elusive Group will present Band Together 2011 at CD & Me in Frankfort. The event will include an exciting line up of performers, including American Idol's Chris Medina, and Makeshift Prodigy. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door and can be purchased now at http://www.bandtogether2011./com. Proceeds from this event will benefit JDRF. For more information please visit bandtogether2011.com or contact Megan McGushin at 708.567.3631 or bandtogether@gmail.com.
Fundraising year round is just what corporate team, Pella Windows – Replacement Division, does! They have cleaned out their attic and are creating lots of excitement about JDRF! They will host an internal silent auction, auctioning off 50 items ranging from tables to filing cabinets to computers that employees can bid on and their full donation comes directly to JDRF. Happy bidding!
Emily’s Hope is hosting their 1st Annual Type 1 Diabetes Family Picnic and would love for you to join them! It will be held on Saturday, August 13th at North Aurora Island Park along the Fox River from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Please click here for more details and to register for their free family picnic. Please note that you must register at http://www.emilyshope.org/ by August 6th.
Heather Barnhart's brother and his hockey team, Team Illinois 97, are supporting their family team, Hoof it for Heather, by hitting the ice with a skate-a-thon fundraiser on August 21st! The team will collect donations for the amount of laps they do around the ice rink. HockeyGiant.com is a sponsor for this event and offering a special discount to those who buy something through their website. Use code JDRF15 at checkout for this great discount. This is a great way to stay cool in the summer heat while supporting their favorite cause!
Jimel’s Team is throwing their Annual Evening of Hope on August 27th. 100% of the proceeds go towards their walk team and JDRF! Click here to view the official flyer. They raised $2,000 from the event in 2010. For ticket information, please call 773.320.3712 or e-mail jimelsteam@gmail.com. Thank you to Charise Parson-Gardner and her team!
Maywood Park Night at the Races to benefit JDRF will be held on Friday, September 9th. For more information, please call Lisa Gurick at 708.343.4800, ext.150.
Kim Sutherland, independent design consultant with Willow House, will donate 5% of ALL sales generated from her website, http://decor8diva.willowhouse.com/, to JDRF in support of her son who was diagnosed in 2009 with type 1 diabetes. For more information on hosting a party, fundraising or decorating ideas, please contact Kim 630.945.0095.
* * *
Special thanks to the below teams for recently hosting an event or kicking-off their 2011 JDRF fundraising efforts:
On June 28th, Kristin Kotara of Berkot's Super Foods, hosted a wonderful Spa Event at the new Marc Alan Day Spa in Mokena, IL. Event attendees and enjoyed appetizers while being pampered to the fullest by the owner Geri Melyon and her expert staff. The attendees enjoyed manicures, pedicures, hair treatments facials, massages and more! The evening raised $1,400 with proceeds and door prizes generously donated by Marc Alan Day Spa! Thank you to all involved!
Lisle corporate team, Exelon, is securing their internal planning team by offering an incentive. Employees that sign up to be on their Walk planning committee will be able to park in the official “JDRF” parking spot they have for 2 weeks. This is a great incentive since parking is hard to come by!
Sloan Valve is walking again this year and their Walking Club is getting involved in helping raise donations for their team. Sloan Valve will donate $1 to JDRF for every mile walked by each person in the club during their breaks or lunch during the week. Sloan Valve has also agreed to match what they raise through this program up to $5,000! The fundraiser started in late June and will go until Walk day on October 2nd where they will walk their final mileage together. What a fun and healthy way to raise donations for a cure!
Congrats to Team WR4X for raising nearly $1,400 in their Spring fundraiser! They’re off to a great start and already planning another fundraiser for September. Keep up the great work!
Do you have an event coming up to benefit your Walk team? Please let us know about it! Send your event details to your local Walk Manager.
Do you have an event coming up to benefit your Walk team? Please let us know about it! Send your event details to your local Walk Manager.
Omaha Steaks July Sneaker Sales Campaign
Omaha Steaks will once again support JDRF through their Sneaker Sales Campaign which is currently running, at all 78 locations throughout the country, through July 31st. Over the past 10 years, Omaha Steaks has raised more than $600,000 for JDRF and we look forward to another successful campaign in 2011. For the Omaha Steaks location nearest you, please click here. Stop in to buy a sneaker and thank Omaha Steaks for their continued support of JDRF!
Back-to-Bed August Sneaker Sales Campaign
Beginning August 1st, Back-to-Bed will begin their JDRF sneaker sales campaign. Their campaign will run for 6-weeks, so be sure to stop in to your local Back-to-Bed to buy a sneaker and say thank you! To find a Back-to-Bed near you, please click here.
Macy's Shop For A Cause Event - August 27th
Since 2006, Macy’s Shop For A Cause Event has partnered with non-profit organizations nationwide to raise more than $38 million for their ongoing charitable efforts. This is your chance to be part of this monumental event on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
Shop For A Cause gives you the opportunity to give back to your community and support JDRF. Purchase a $5 Shopping Pass for exclusive savings (25% off) in every Macy’s store and online at http://www.macys.com/ on Saturday, August 27th, and JDRF keeps 100% of the proceeds from Shopping Pass sales. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card.
For more information, or to purchase your Macy's saving pass, please contact Mary Anne Bryan at 312.477.7954 or mbryan@jdrf.org.
Click here to view the official flyer.
Shop For A Cause gives you the opportunity to give back to your community and support JDRF. Purchase a $5 Shopping Pass for exclusive savings (25% off) in every Macy’s store and online at http://www.macys.com/ on Saturday, August 27th, and JDRF keeps 100% of the proceeds from Shopping Pass sales. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card.
For more information, or to purchase your Macy's saving pass, please contact Mary Anne Bryan at 312.477.7954 or mbryan@jdrf.org.
Click here to view the official flyer.
Kids Spotlight
Special thanks to Paige Knoll of Paige's Parade family team for representing JDRF as a youth ambassador during a recent Walgreens meeting. Paige shared her experience living with diabetes and helped motivate everyone in attendance to get more involved! Thank you, Paige!
Do you want to be like Paige? The JDRF Illinois Walk team is always looking for youth ambassadors to attend meetings and share their stories of life with diabetes. A Youth Ambassador truly makes a difference every time they speak on behalf of JDRF! To sign-up as an official JDRF Youth Ambassador, please contact your local Walk Manager.
# # #
Calling All Youth Groups!
In 2010, twelve Boy & Girl Scout Troops participated in the Ron Santo Walk. Do you know any youth groups that would be interested in walking with us? If so, please let us know. One of our Walk Managers would be happy to meet with them to discuss how they can get involved.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Evening of Hope to benefit JDRF - August 27th
Jimel’s Team will host their Annual Evening of Hope on August 27th. 100% of the proceeds go towards their walk team and JDRF! They raised $2,000 from this event in 2010. Please view the official flyer below for more information. For ticket information, please call 773.320.3712 or e-mail jimelsteam@gmail.com. Thank you to Charise Parson-Gardner and her team!
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