With one week until Thanksgiving, Hinsdaleans are stocking up for a holiday feast while also taking stock of the many reasons to be grateful over the course this year. We are thankful to have a front row seat to multitude of ways Hinsdaleans share their blessings with others, generous gestures that we regularly convey in our Good News section.
Check out the Spirit of Giving listing on Page 42 for opportunities to help, and circle Dec. 3 on the calendar for the annual Giving Tuesday campaign. Here are a few of examples of benevolence in 2019 to inspire you.
• Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club raised close to $300,000 at its Outside Your Element benefit March 2, enabling the group to fulfill 18 grant requests and award three scholarships to philanthropy-minded high school seniors. In addition, HJWC members completed 650 service hours with 18 different charities over the last year.
• The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group’s Hinsdale office, in conjunction with the KoenigRubloff Cares Foundation, collected almost 1,000 pairs of men’s, women’s and children’s gym shoes, sandals and boots in good condition during a Share Your Soles Shoe Drive May 18 for those in the greatest need around the world.
• The Hinsdale Humane Society’s Pet Walk Festival fundraiser on June 8 generated $35,000 to support innovative care and adoption services for animals. In July, that support helped make it for the possible for the humane society to welcome 25 cats and 18 dogs from Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society in New Orleans in preparation for Tropical Storm Barry.
• The Tiernan Kelly 14th annual Tennis Fun Fest at Hinsdale Racquet Club Aug. 10 raised more than $9,000 for the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.
• The Hinsdale Professional Firefighter’s Association raised almost $9,000 in its annual Big’s Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament Sept. 15 at Veeck Park in Hinsdale to benefit the Illinois Burn Camp and various Hinsdale nonprofit organizations.
• The inaugural Michael Brindley Memorial Golf Outing raised $25,000 for the just1mike Foundation to raise awareness and increase the survival rates of teens and young adults who suffer sudden cardiac arrest through screenings, education and training. The foundation honors the life and passions of former Hinsdale Central student Michael Brindley.
• The 25th Annual Rotary Run Charity Classic Oct. 6 attracted more than 700 runners and generated more than $90,000 to support local charities.
• The Joie De Vivre ball raised about $1.1 million to support Wellness House programs for adults, children and families affected by cancer. The majority of services are offered at no cost to educate, support and empower participants so they will improve their physical and emotional well-being.
• The members of Hinsdale Central’s Hispanic Student Association/Spanish Club raised $300 to benefit artists, partners and programs supported by the Pulsera Project. The Pulsera Project is a nonprofit organization that connects Central American artists with U.S. students through the sale of colorful handwoven “pulsera” bracelets.
So many have done so much. And yet there’s always more to do. Make the most of the days remaining in 2019 to embrace the spirit of giving that has been alive and well all year long.
