The Countdown has begun...

Walk Day is 3 Weeks Away!

Are you and your teammates registered yet?  If not, register today, and encourage your family and friends to do the same, at www.jdrfillinois.org! 

There is still plenty of time to fundraise!  Utilize Walk Central to send out donation e-mails.  Raise $100 quick by asking 10 people for $10!

Are you looking to freshen up your fundraising letter?  A great idea was brought to our attention to include a calendar in your letter.  In the calendar you can list any time that your loved one with type 1 was hospitalized or at the doctor for diabetes related issues.  This is just another way to motivate people to help raise money for a cure!

Matching Gift Reminder! Don't forget to ask your donors if their company has a matching gift program.  Many corporations and foundations will match, double, or even triple an employee's personal donation!

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Bayer Diabetes Care has teamed up with JDRF and Nick Jonas to bring you more fun at this year’s walk – including some exciting new products.

Visit the Bayer booth at the Central Illinois & Libertyville Walk Sites to join the fun and learn about Bayer’s DIDGET, CONTOUR USB and A1C SelfCheck!

www.simplewins.com



We look forward to seeing you at the Walk on Sunday, October 3rd! 

Team Table Deadline - September 17th at 9 a.m.

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.

Register your walkers today at http://www.walk.jdrf.org/!

Look Whose Walking - Top Registered Teams

Congratulations to the below teams who currently have the most registered walkers:

Cheesecake and Grand Lux Secret Ingredients - 196 Walkers (Busse Woods Walk)
Colleen's Crew - 129 Walkers (Libertyville Walk)
Justin's Journey To Help Cure Type 1 Diabetes - 76 Walkers (Palos Hills Walk)
Hyatt - 69 Walkers (Lakefront Walk)
Nalco - 42 Walkers (Lisle Walk)
Ethan's Quest for a Cure - 37 Walkers (Peoria Walk)

Keep recruiting those walkers!

Want to see your name on this list? 

Register your walkers today at http://www.walk.jdrf.org/!

September Walk News

Over 40 Corporate Team Captains joined us for the Lakefront Corporate Team Power lunch hosted by Fred Walz and Grant Thornton on Thursday, August 26th.  It was a successful event and equipped the Team Captains to have their best Walk ever!  Thank you to our speakers:  Mike Laughlin of Deloitte, Brian Sterk and Fred Walz of Grant Thornton, and Kevin Klasey of Hyatt.

Mail Alert!  The week before the Walk, all registered walkers will be receiving a final walker mailing, which will include a map with directions to the site they are registered, logistic information and a collection envelope.  Keep an eye out for this important information!

Central Illinois Walk News

Team Pennants - Register you Walkers today!
All Central Illinois Walk teams with 10 or more Walkers registered by September 15th will receive a team pennant with their team name on it.  The pennants will be distributed at registration to help mark your territory and meet your team on Walk day.  So, register your Walkers today!

Please note:  Due to printing deadlines, no exceptions can be made to the September 15th deadline.

Exciting Incentive!  The top fundraising family team and corporate team will receive a suite during a Peoria Chiefs game in the 2011 season.  Special thanks to Pete and Rocky Vonachen.

TEAMS ON THE GO! Check out what these teams are doing and see how they will inspire you!

Friends of family team, Briggs Bunch, were so inspired by the Kick-off Breakfast that they are raising money for their friend, Madison Briggs, at school.  During lunch time, they will be collecting donations and hanging paper sneakers in the lunch room with the donor’s name.  The sneakers will be hung in a line by grade level and the grades will be competing against each other.  The first grade to the finish line – wins!  The school is also full of posters promoting the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes.  They hope to motivate others to help find a cure!

Samantha Stautz of Gracie's Angels will be holding her 5th Annual Kids Carnival for JDRF on Sunday, September 12th from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m at the Grandwood Park Ball Field (36753 N. Hutchins Rd., Gurnee).  Come See the Reptiles from Serpent Safari, the Petting Zoo from Buggy Whip Farm and participate in a great Silent Auction.  For more information, please call (847) 265-2933.

The Hooten Hopper’s, led by Denise Hooten, are coming in strong again in 2010 with a wonderful contribution from Alliant Credit Union for over $10,000! Thank you Rick Holke, Alliant Credit Union, for the extremely generous donation and Denise Hooten for your continued hard work to raise as much money as possible!

The LoPriore Family will be holding their 4th Annual AJ and Zach say "Go Away Diabetes" Fundraiser on Saturday, September 25th with all proceeds benefitting JDRF.  The event will be held at Cedar Ridge Estates, 427 Cyprus Circle in Lake Villa, from 3:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and will feature silent auctions, raffles, face painting, great food and lots of fun!  For more information, and for event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ralph LoPriore at 847.245.3217 or lopriores@hotmail.com.

To reach their goal of $10,000, Maggie’s Maniacs are holding several fundraising events.  One of their sweetest fundraisers is the homemade candy they make and sell to co-workers at their Dad’s office.  Those same co-workers also make a donation on Fridays to be able to wear a sports jersey of their favorite team.  And top that off with the company’s matching gifts equals a successful family team!

Pella Windows – Replacement Division is keeping their employees educated about JDRF and the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes.  They started sending out weekly e-mails updating employees on their team progress with the number of participants and dollars raised.  Creating friendly competition between the departments always motivates their employees!  Also, in their company monthly newsletter, they are including research facts about JDRF.  Keep up the great work, Pella!

Sneaker Sales Campaign Updates

The Fresh Market is selling green JDRF sneakers in all 90 store locations through September 12th. The Fresh Market’s signature Sidewalk Sale event will take place on September 10th - 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 The Fresh Market's fundraising efforts by visiting your local store this weekend.
Special thanks to Gordmans for their support of JDRF through their annual sneaker sales campaign.  Hats off to the store employees and shoppers in Fairview Heights, Moline, Champaign, Springfield, Peoria, Normal, Rockford and Machesney Park! 

Marshall's sneaker sales campaign will run until September 25th.  Stop in your local Marshalls and support JDRF by buying a sneaker!  For a complete list of Marshalls stores, visit www.marshalls.com.

Visit the famous Original Rainbow Cone, located at 9233 S. Western Avenue in the Beverly area, for a legendary Chicago treat and support JDRF!  During the month of September, they will be selling JDRF sneakers that will be displayed around the store.  Rainbow Cone staff has already sold out of their initial batch of a few hundred sneakers and have ordered more! See www.rainbowcone.com for store hours.
As America's leader in Sugar Free candies, Russell Stover Candies has been a proud supporter of JDRF.  They proudly display their association with JDRF on all of their Sugar Free candy products - which can be found in the candy aisle at retail stores throughout the United States.  Russell Stover kicked-off their 2010 sneaker sales campaign on September 1st and it will run through October 9th.  Visit www.russellstover.com for store locations.

The South Suburbs will be seeing lots of JDRF sneakers popping up in local businesses!  Special thanks to all the retailers in the Beverly/Morgan Park, Chicago and neighboring Suburban areas that have agreed to sell JDRF Sneakers during the month of September.  These businesses will also display JDRF posters, balloons and offer Walk registration brochures. It is a great way to raise funds to find a cure for type 1 as well as get the message out and promote the walk!  For a complete list of these sneaker sales partners, click here.

Maywood Racetrack Fundraising Opportunity

Maywood Park wants to help your Company or Walk team, reach or exceed your goal by hosting a Night at the Races fundraiser that would benefit your team! 

Let Maywood Park Racetrack help you kick-off the Walk with a night filled with LIVE Harness Horse Racing Fun and Excitement!  The evening will include a Five Star Dinner Buffet, LIVE Racing Action, Famous Human Harness Race and Cash bar with plenty of Raffle prizes for everyone!For more information, please contact Lisa Gurick in the Group Sales Office at 708.343.4800, x.150.

Ford Family Team Sponsorships

Ford Motor Company generated nearly $8,000 from their 30-day fundraising contest between four office departments.  The Marketing team won, having raised over $2,600!  They also have an upcoming 3 Club Challenge that has already raised over $1,000 in additional donations.  Congrats to Ford and their giant team effort!
Congratulations to the winning teams selected for the Ford Family Team Sponsorship!

Arlington Heights Ford - Syringe Slayers
Bredemann Ford - Bredemann
Friendly Ford - Team Zarcone
Golf Mill Ford - Nicole & Karina's Cure Busters & Co.
Victor Ford - Dustin's Tie-Dye Team
Wickstrom Ford - Ricky's Ramblers
Spring Hill Ford - Team Aiden
Hawk Ford - Justin's Journey to Help Cure Type 1 Diabetes
River Oaks Ford - Left Eye
Napleton Ford in Libertyville - Emilia's Team
Illinois FDAF - Tommy's Troops
Westfield Ford - Malia's Mission
Joe Rizza Ford of Orland Park - The Chargers

Thank you, Ford!

Refresh Your Browser and Vote for your favorite vision of a life without diabetes!

Who's in the #1 spot today? Run for Ron (Jim Foster)

Visit www.walgreens.refresheverything.com today and cast your vote for one of the three JDRF Illinois finalist. Voting is open until September 30th! The top team will win a $10,000 Pepsi grant good towards their 2010 Walk team fundraising efforts. Second and third place will each receive $2,500 for their team.

A special thank you to Pepsi and Walgreens for their continued commitment to JDRF.  Good luck to all of our Illinois finalists!

Help Us Spread the Word! Sign-up as a JDRF Advocate Today!

You are signed up as a Walker or Walk Team Captain, but are you registered as a JDRF Advocate?

JDRF has built a nationwide network of Advocates who are dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.  We are all working together to advance the search for a cure faster and more effectively. JDRF Advocates help support a variety of issues that are critical to our search for a cure, such as the Special Diabetes Program and the Artificial Pancreas Project. 

Sign-up online at http://advocacy.jdrf.org/.

The Walk is one month away!

What can you do today?

- If you haven't done so already, register today at www.walk.jdrf.org!  Encourage your team members to register or offer to register for them

- All pre-registered teams with 10 or more walkers registered by September 17th at 9 a.m. will receive a reserved table with team sign at the Walk site.

- Ask 10 people for $10 - You'll be amazed at how quickly you can raise $100!

- $100 gets you an official Walk T-shirt with great incentives at higher levels

- $1,500 raised per Walker and you can receive the coveted golden sneaker award

Questions? Please contact your local Walk Manager.

We look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday, October 3rd!

Palos Hills Walk News

The Palos Hills Walk is pleased to announce some exciting new events and activities for Walk Day! Some new things you will enjoy are free children’s haircuts, a reptile show, hula hoop lessons and a bean bag toss competition with a chance to win a custom JDRF bean bag toss board game.  This is combined with the music, entertainment and fun inflatable’s from previous years.  We are also please to announce a fantastic new band! You can preview, Big Wig Mechanic, a Rock/reggae band, at http://myspace.com/bigwigmechanic.

Don't miss out on the fun! 

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

South Suburban Sneaker Sales Partners

The South Suburbs will be seeing lots of JDRF sneakers popping up in local businesses! 

Special thanks to the below retailers in the Beverly/Morgan Park, Chicago and neighboring Suburban areas that have agreed to sell JDRF Sneakers during the month of September.  These businesses will also display JDRF posters, balloons and offer Walk registration brochures. It is a great way to raise funds to find a cure for type 1 as well as get the message out and promote the walk on October 3rd at Moraine Valley Community College. Thank you to everyone that participated!

• Beverly Bakery & Café – 10528 S. Western Ave., Chgo., IL 60643 www.beverlycoffeeroasters.com, (will donate .25 cents to JDRF with every cupcake purchase in the month of September)
• Bialy’s Café – 2801 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805, 708-636-3004
• Blue Moon Coffee House and Café - 1742 W. 99th Street Chgo.,IL 60643 773-840-3618, www.bluemooncoffeehouse.net
• Calabria Imports - 1905 W. 103rd St. Chgo., IL 60643, www.calabria-imports.com
• Cafe 103 & Beverly's Pantry - 1907-09 W. 103rd St., Chgo, IL 60643, 773-238-8550, www.beverlyspantry.com
• Favia Café – 10701 S. Hale Chgo., IL 60643 773-881-3284 www.faviacafe.com 
• Ms. Priss, Inc. - 9915 S. Walden Parkway Chgo, IL 60643 773-233-7747 www.mspriss.homestead.com
• My Sister's Knits - 9907 S. Walden Parkway Chgo., IL 60643, 773-238-4555 www.mysistersknits.com
• Old Tinley Pub – 17020 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477, 708-532-4409
• Rainbow Cone – 9233 S. Western Ave., Chgo., IL 60643, 773-238-7075 www.rainbowcone.com
• Running Excels - 10328 S. Western Ave., Chgo., IL 60655, 773-629-8587 www.runningexcels.com
• The Blossom Boys – 9911 S. Walden Parkway, Chgo., IL 60643, 773-779-4400 www.theblossomboys.com
• The Music Station - 1808 W. 103rd St., Chgo,IL 60643, www.the-music-station.com
• Top Notch Beef Burgers - 2116 W. 95th St., Chgo, IL 60643, 773-445-7218
• Tranquility Hair Salon, Inc. - 9909 S. Walden parkway Chgo.,IL 60643, schickel2509@hotmail.com
• Van Wade "A Lifestyle Boutique" - 1739 W. 99th St., Chgo., IL 60643, 773-233-7921, www.vanwadelifestyleboutique.net

Thank you for supporting those businesses that support JDRF!

AJ and Zach say "Go Away Diabetes" Fundraiser - September 25th, 2010

The LoPriore Family will be holding their 4th Annual "AJ and Zach say "Go Away Diabetes" Fundraiser on Saturday, September 25th with all proceeds benefitting JDRF.  The event will be held at Cedar Ridge Estates, 427 Cyprus Circle in Lake Villa, from 3:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and will feature silent auctions, raffles, face painting, great food and lots of fun! 

For more information, and for event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ralph LoPriore at 847.245.3217 or lopriores@hotmail.com.

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.