Monday, November 28, 2011

Palos Hills T-Shirt Contest Finalists - VOTE NOW!

Congratulations to the 2011 JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes t-shirt contest finalists for our Southwest Suburbs (Palos Hills) Walk Site.  Please vote for your favorite T-shirt by leaving the T-Shirt number and team name of the shirt in the comment section below.  Please cast only ONE vote.  Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7th.  Happy Voting!

T-Shirt #1 - Abbie's All-Stars

 T-Shirt #2 - Captain Sean's Crew

 T-Shirt #3 - Delaney's Dream Team

 T-Shirt #4 - Emily's Entourage

 T-Shirt #5 - Katie's Ladies & Gents


T-Shirt #6 - Stella Steps

Happy Voting!

Central Illinois T-Shirt Contest Finalists - VOTE NOW

Congratulations to the 2011 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes t-shirt contest finalists for our Central Illinois Walk Site.  Please vote for your favorite T-shirt by leaving the T-Shirt number and team name of the shirt in the comment section below.  Please cast only ONE vote.  Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7th.  Happy Voting!

Shirt #1 - 3 Coffeys, No Sugar



Shirt #2 - Awesome Ty Baker

 T-Shirt #3 - Berghoff Bunch


T-Shirt #4 - Ceci and Company

 T-Shirt #5 - Cousin Crew-saders

 T-Shirt #6 - Fries & Nuggets


T-Shirt #7 - Jake's All-Stars

 T-Shirt #8 - Kohlton's Krew


T-Shirt #9 - Matthew Matters

T-Shirt #10 - Payton's Protectors

T-Shirt # 11 - Tal's Tribe

T-Shirt #12 - Tate's Twisters


T-Shirt #13 - Tyler's Troops


Happy Voting!

Friday, November 4, 2011

JDRF Today: Our Identity is Evolving

For more than 40 years, JDRF has been a leader in the search

But today, we realize that a cure is not just a destination but also a journey along a path. And we recognize that a part of our mission must be to keep those living with type 1 today alive and healthy until we arrive at the end of that path.

In the coming months we’ll be progressively rolling out new information, logos, and terminology.

For more information on our rebranding, visit jdrf.org.
for an end to type 1 diabetes, through both research funding and advocacy. During that time, we have always talked about a cure as a singular destination: a return to normal physiology.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Incentive Prize Deadline Reminder

All contributions turned in on Walk day have now been entered! Please log-in to your Participant Center at www.walk.jdrf.org to view your total.

A Few Post-Walk Reminders to Keep in Mind...

INCENTIVE PRIZE DEADLINE - NOVEMBER 11TH
Walkers who raised $200 or more can select one of our gift catalogs featuring a variety of prizes.

JDRF Gift Catalog Levels

Total Raised          Prize Level
$200 to $499         Stroll Level
$500 to $749         Walk Level
$750 to $999         Skip Level
$1,000 to $1,         Jump Level
$2,000 to $3,499    Jog Level
$3,500 to $4,999    Run Level
$5,000 +               Sprint Level

You can view all of the catalog levels and prizes at
www.jdrf.org/greatprizes. One prize per walker.

To be eligible for a prize, all money must be received at the JDRF Illinois office by November 11th, 2011. After the prize order is placed, those eligible will receive a prize catalog in the mail with a redemption code that can be used to order your prize online or mail in a postcard with your prize selection.

Please note: Redemption codes expire approximately 90 days after the catalog has been received. Please check your prize redemption postcard for the exact date of expiration.

Items from the gift catalog will be delivered within two weeks after you place your order. If you would like your full donation to go toward finding a cure for diabetes, you may opt not to receive a prize by marking the appropriate selection on your collection envelope or in your profile in your Participant Center.

To choose your prize level online, or to indicate that you do not wish to receive a prize, log-on to your Participant Center account at
www.walk.jdrf.org.

• Click on the “Choose your incentive prize catalog” link on the right side of the page.
• Select your prize level or “Do Not Send Me a Walk Prize” and confirm by clicking Save. Your prize level has now been confirmed!




IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FUNDRAISE!
If you haven't reached your goal, it's not too late! Every dollar raised brings us closer to a cure and our $5 million goal! Send a message to all of your contacts who have not donated to your efforts yet and watch your total continue to rise. All money received at the JDRF Illinois office by December 5th will count towards your team's 2011 walk team total and award level. Call your Walk Manager for ideas on how to boost your fundraising total.

REMINDER: Please use an official collection envelope to turn in any additional contributions. If you do not have a collection envelope, you can mail in your contributions to the JDRF Illinois Chapter office at 11 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603-1344. Please be sure to include a note with your team name, walker name and Walk site. This information is vital to ensure that your contributions are allocated correctly.

For more information about Walk Incentives and Award Levels, please click
here.

Thank you so much for your support of JDRF! Together, we will find a cure!

Questions? Please contact your local
Walk Manager.

Thank you for your support of the 2011 JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, October 2nd!


JDRF was honored to have Vicki Santo and other members of the Santo family join us on Walk Day.

We appreciate your dedication to our mission.  It's not too late to collect contributions.  Help us meet our $5 million goal.  Online donations are still accepted at www.walk.jdrf.org or you can mail in your donation in an official collection envelope to our office.

Every dollar raised brings us closer to the cure!

We are still working hard to process and enter in all the donations received on Walk Day, but you will start to see your team's total rise in the coming weeks.  We will send out a notification when the totals are finalized and they will also be posted at
www.jdrfillinois.org under the Ron Santo Walk page.

Please be aware of three important upcoming deadlines:1.  T-Shirt Contest Deadline - November 1st.  If you would like to enter your team's shirt into our T-Shirt Contest, please send it (smallest size preferred) to our office by November 1st.  Winning shirts will be announced at the January Awards Ceremony!  Details on how you can vote for this year's winning t-shirts coming soon!

2.  Incentive Prize Deadline - November 11th.  Walkers who wish to receive an incentive prize, must select a prize level so that the appropriate catalog can be shipped.  Please make sure you update your prize level selection no later than Friday, November 11th.  Instructions can be found
here. 3.  Team Total Deadline - December 5th.  Striving for a team award?  All money received by December 5th will count toward your team's 2011 Walk team total and award level.  Awards are distributed at the Walk Awards Ceremony in January.

JDRF Illinois celebrates all participants and recognizes those individuals who raise $1,500 + with the annual golden sneaker award.  Eligible participants will receive a mailing about their award in December.

Team awards are presented at the annual January Awards Reception (details to come).  Team awards levels are below:  

Team Award Levels
$3,500 - $9,999 - Bronze
$10,000 - $24,999 - Silver
$25,000 - $49,999 - Gold
$50,000 - $99,999 - Platinum
$100,000 - $199,999 - Diamond
$200,000 + - Ron Santo Award


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!  Include your paper matching gift form in your collection envelope or send it in to the JDRF Illinois office with a note that it is for your team, and the Walker name where the gift should be credited.  If your company has an online system, submit your matching request and JDRF will receive a notification to verify your gift.  Matching gifts are an easy way to help you reach your goal!

Post-Walk Fundraising Ideas

Looking for ways to raise additional funds for research and help reach your personal fundraising goal?


  • Send a post-Walk communication to all your contacts who were unable to join you on Walk Day or who haven't sent you a donation yet. Watch your total rise!
  • Get out and support your local community while boosting your team total. Partner with local restaurants and stores through their dine to donate programs and shop & share days.
  • Sell raffle tickets or auction off the best parking spot or a “free” day off work. Make the parking spot available for the cold winter months!
  • JDRF Casual days! Sell a JDRF casual day punch card for $20, in return participants can wear jeans, sneakers, or shorts for 5 days at work.
  • Looking to spice up the office this fall? Gather teams of two and host a chili cook-off! $5 entry fee per team and everyone in the office can partake in the tasting for a mere $2.
  • Combine two of your favorite things: shopping and raising money for JDRF! Host a girls night shopportunity! Contact your local in‐home jewelry experts like: Silpada, Jewels by Park Lane, Stella and Dot and host a jewelry party with proceeds benefitting JDRF.
These are just a few ways to raise additional funds. Get creative and help bring us closer to a cure! For more fundraising tips, please click here.

Land O' Frost & JDRF

JDRF is thrilled to announce that our local Walk sponsor, Land O'Frost, is now also the newest JDRFI Corporate Partner. Land O’Frost is the largest family owned packaged lunch meat brand in the U.S. and specializes in Great Tasting Lunchmeats™ that every home can enjoy.

Beginning in early November, Land O'Frost will place a JDRF branded sticker on over 5,000,000 packages of their Premium® line of product which is the best-selling one-pound deli pouch in the country. The sticker will promote the Land O’Frost “Pound it Out Project” which will donate a minimum of $50,000 to JDRF. The sticker will appear on product during the months of November and December. The Premium® product is distributed nationally at grocery retailers such as Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Super Target, Kroger, Food Lion, Hy-Vee, Big Y, Hannaford, Pathmark, A&P, Dominick’s, Albertson’s, Ralph’s, Vons and MANY more.

Each package will also contain more information about the project and JDRF, including details on how to text to give. Consumers can text “JDRF5” to 20222 and a one-time $5 donation will be added to their mobile phone bill.

Pick up your Land O'Frost lunch meat during your next grocery shopping trip and support JDRF! For additional information about Land O Frost, please visit
www.landofrost.com.

Thank you Land O'Frost!

Help JDRF Illinois Win $10,000!

Leighann Calentine, of D-Mom.com, was chosen as a Roche Diabetes Torchbearer and has designated JDRF Illinois as her charity of choice to win $10,000 if she gets the most Facebook "likes" on her video by November 14th.

Please LIKE this video: http://www.accu-chek.com/microsite/heroes/index.html#/calentine and help JDRF win $10,000! Thank you!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2011 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes - THANK YOU!


Thank you for your support of the 2011 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes and honoring Ron Santo’s legacy. Your involvement makes a difference in our efforts to find a cure.

Please continue to raise funds on-line by utilizing your Participant Center at www.walk.jdrf.org. You may also continue to send contributions in to the Chapter office by using an official collection envelope.

Team totals will be available on December 5. The individual prize deadline is November 1. Please contact your Walk Manager with any questions.

Thank you! Together, we will find a cure!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes is 5 Days Away!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Come help us honor our greatest Champion, Ron Santo, as we walk in memory of him. Click here to view a special tribute to our favorite #10! Then, if you haven't done so already, register and join us in our search for ways to Cure, better Treat, and Prevent type 1 diabetes and help us reach our nearly $5 million goal!

10 Days is Plenty of Time to Make a Difference!

  • REGISTER!  If you haven't done so already, register today at www.walk.jdrf.org!  Ask your friends, family and co-workers to walk with you too!
  • FUNDRAISE!  Raise $100 fast by asking 10 people for $10!  Everyone who raises $100 will receive a Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes t-shirt on Walk day (one shirt per walker).  This year's shirt is a special commemorative one, so you will want one of your own!
  • SPREAD THE WORD!  Utilize your social networking sites to recruit walkers and raise funds.  Fundraise through Facebook! Follow these simple instructions to download the Facebook application and start fundraising today!
    • Login to your JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Participant Center. Click here.
    • Click on the “Fundraise with Facebook” button on the bottom right hand side of your Participant Center page. This will connect you directly to your Facebook account.
    • Facebook will prompt you to download the application. Select "Allow" to continue.
    • That’s it! You’ve downloaded the free Facebook application.  We hope you’ll take advantage of all the exciting new features on your Facebook application to take your fundraising to the next level!
Thank you so much for your support of JDRF!  We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 2nd!

P.S. For updated Walk news and information, please visit www.jdrfillinois.org.  For maps and directions, and important logistic information, for each of the Walk Sites, please click here.

RON SANTO WALK SPOTLIGHT: NALCO COMPANY


How has Nalco Company raised over $331,000 for JDRF since 2004? They made it easy while also having fun! A team of employees put their heads together and came up with creative fundraising ideas that work for them.

The executive support they receive internally creates a lot of enthusiasm for the team and truly makes a difference. The last two years, Nalco has been a Presenting Sponsor for the Walk, which has motivated the employees to give and get involved with their team.

Creating healthy competition has worked for the Nalco team and they’ve accomplished this by splitting into two groups, Nalco Cubs and Nalco Sox. The week before the Walk, they generate excitement by holding a softball game on the front lawn during the lunch hour Nalco Cubs vs. Nalco Sox!

Another popular way to raise money is Wednesday Jean’s Day. Jean’s “passes” are sold every Tuesday during lunch and each pass gives the employee an opportunity to wear jeans on a Wednesday. Last year, the jean’s day alone raised over $4,000.

Nalco employees were asked why they participate in the JDRF Walk. One of them said “I Walk to save my husband’s eyesight, so he will be able to continue to see his children grow. I Walk to raise money to find a cure.” Another employee Walks because “it takes so little time and energy, to do so much in the lives of those who need our help!!”

Nalco team – you all are a true inspiration to so many and we thank you for your continued support and dedication.  Thank you for helping us take critical steps to finding a cure.

Egg Harbor Cafe

For the month of September, all 14 Egg Harbor Cafe restaurants in Illinois will be directing all donations from their Pay It Forward campaign to JDRF.  To find the Egg Harbor location near you, please click here.  For more information about their Pay It Forward program, please check out their website at http://eggharborcafe.com/eggstras/pay-it-forward/.

ATTENTION LAKEFRONT WALKERS: PARKING CHANGES!

Parking at the Lakefront Walk along Simonds Drive is free on Walk Day. Meter charges do apply in all lots at Foster, Wilson and Montrose. Participants are responsible for all meter fees.

Please be sure to keep your car off the grass. The Chicago Park District will fine us $50 for every car they see drive or park on the grass. Thank you!

Old Orchard


Old Orchard has renewed their generous support of JDRF. Taste a sample of one of their fruit juice products on Walk day or pick up a coupon in the JDRF Chapter booth.

Visit
www.oldorchard.com and click on “Promotions” to learn more about the JDRF Points Donation Challenge. Thank you, Old Orchard!

Project S.N.A.P.



Project S.N.A.P. will be back again at the Walk collecting drawings for a mural that will be auctioned off at the December 10th Chance of a Lifetime Gala.  Ford Motor Company sponsors this opportunity and it’s a great way to have your creativity part of a lasting piece that helps fund type 1 diabetes research.  Be sure to visit the Project SNAP near the Ford tent to add your drawings to the collection.  Click here for more information and to view past murals. 

SNEAKER SALES CAMPAIGN NEWS

Stop in to these below JDRF partners, buy a sneaker and thank them for their generous support of JDRF!

Advance Auto PartsAdvance Auto Parts  will once again be supporting JDRF through their annual Sneaker Sales Campaign. Their campaign will run from August 18th - October 1st, 2011 and will consist of $1, $5, $25 and $50 sneaker sales at more than 3,500 Advance Auto Parts stores in more than 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  The campaign raised $1,898,000 in 2010 and we look forward to another successful campaign!

Back-to-Bed 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.

Marshalls
In 2010, Marshalls raised an incredible $1.9 million for JDRF! They will be supporting us again this year through their sneaker sales campaign beginning on August 21st through September 24th at their over 800 locations.  Please stop in to your local Marshalls, buy a sneaker and say thank you for their continued support of JDRF!

Russell Stover Candies
As America's leader in Sugar Free candies, Russell Stover Candies has been a proud supporter of JDRF since 2002. 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.  Their 3rd annual JDRF Sneaker Sales Campaign will run Thursday, September 1st – Saturday, October 1st at 38 store locations in 14 states.  For a list of Russell Stover locations, please click here.

Hy-Vee
Since 1998 Hy-Vee has raised more than $13 million for JDRF and donated countless in-kind product for JDRF chapter events. Hy-Vee’s annual JDRF Sneaker Sales Campaign will run from Thursday, September 1st – Saturday, October 31st.  To find the Hy-Vee location near you, please visit www.hy-vee.com.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteer Opportunities

October 1st & 2nd, 2011

Join us in support of the 33rd annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes!  You can help by lending your time and talent for our largest fundraising event:  we need hundreds of volunteers to assist on set-up day and Walk day. 

Volunteers are needed at each of our six walk locations to help unload supplies; hang signage; work check-points, registration, T-shirt and food tents; welcome walkers; inventory supplies and help clean-up.

We ask that volunteers are able to devote a minimum of four hours on either day. 

Walk sites are located in:
·  Central Illinois:         Glen Oak Park in Peoria
·  Chicago Lakefront:   Lawrence Avenue and the Lake
·  North Suburbs:        Independence Grove in Libertyville
·  Northwest Suburbs: Busse Woods in Schaumburg
·  Southwest Illinois:    Moraine Valley College in Palos Hills 
·  West Suburbs:         Community Park in Lisle

To learn more, please contact the Volunteer Chair for the Walk Site you would like to assist.  Click the below Walk Volunteer form for Volunteer Chair contact info. To sign-up today, complete the below form and mail or e-mail to the appropriate Chair.


Thank you!  We hope to see you on Walk Weekend!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Ron Santo Day and 2011 Walk Kick-Off Luncheon Reminder

Please join us for these two exciting upcoming events!

Ron Santo Night at Wrigley Field is coming up on August 10th!  Don't miss out on this special night honoring Ron!


Join JDRF Illinois on Wednesday, 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 the special "JDRF" coupon code is used.  

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!

Buy your tickets, support JDRF and wear your Walk team t-shirts to demonstrate your JDRF spirit!  Please let your local Walk Manager know if you are attending so we can be sure to come by and say hello!




 
Join us for the 2011 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes Kick-Off Luncheon on Friday, August 12th

We hope you will join us 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!  Vicki Santo and Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio are scheduled to attend to help us kick-off this special year for the Walk in honor of Ron.

The Chicagoland 2011 Kick-Off Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 12th from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt O’Hare (9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont).

Please RSVP by Friday, August 5th to 312-447-7970 or walk@jdrfillinois.org.

Please visit www.jdrfillinois.org for updates on these exciting events and additional ways in which you can support JDRF.

Thank you!

Back-to-Bed Sneaker Sales Campaign - August 1st - September 12

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! Click here to find a Back-to-Bed near you.

5th Annual LoPriore JDRF Fundraiser - Saturday, August 27th

Please join the LoPriore's Midgets Family Team for their 5th Annual JDRF Fundraiser being held on Saturday, August 27th from 3:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Cedar Ridge Estates located at 427 Cyprus Circle in Lake Villa, IL 60046.  Come out for great food, silent auctions, face painting, massages and manicures and lots of FUN!  All proceeds will benefit JDRF.  For more information, please click here for the official flier.  For additional information, please contact Ralph LoPriore at 847.245.3217 or e-mail LoPriores@hotmail.com.

Special thanks to the LoPriore Family for working so hard on this successful fundraiser for JDRF!  Good Luck!