DuPage PADS Gears Up for High-Speed Fundraiser

Teams will fly around Chicago Indoor Racing’s track all in an effort to raise $75,000 for DuPage PADS and the mission to end homelessness.

Continental Motors Group of Naperville, Chicago Indoor Racing and DuPage PADS have teamed up for the third annual six hour karting enduro for charity.   Eighteen teams will compete in raising money for DuPage PADS before race day with a goal of reaching $75,000 for DuPage PADS to assist families and individuals who are homeless. This year’s race will take place on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chicago Indoor Racing in Addison. Participants in this year’s event can look forward to a fast-paced, unique racing experience and an opportunity to help others. For more than 27 years, DuPage PADS has provided hope for people who are homeless by offering an array of services which seek to stop the cycle of homelessness. The Drive For 75 …

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Wonderful Wednesday

The Pendleys: Raising Funds and Awareness to End WAR on Women, Children

Bill and Jenny Pendley have become strong supporters of WAR International and its boutique, the WAR Chest. The nonprofit helps rescue women and children from human trafficking.

Jenny Pendley likes shopping and when she found the WAR Chest Boutique in downtown Naperville, her shopping habits had a life-changing effect on her and her husband Bill. The boutique isn’t like other stores. It has a special mission to help women and children who have been or who are at risk of human trafficking or sexual slavery. After shopping at the store and learning more about the organization’s mission, Jenny’s husband Bill is training to race an Ironman Triathlon this summer in Kentucky. His goal is to raise $3,000 for Women At Risk International, the nonprofit behind the store, which helps rescue and provide safety and skills for women at risk of being trafficked and sexually exploited.  Stepping into the WAR Chest Boutique not …

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Kids Sing Out in Thanks at Annual Fundraiser

Singers from Naperville schools shared their talents at a fundraiser for KidsMatter held at Lou Malnati's Monday night.

An evening of music was on tap at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on Jefferson Avenue Monday night as students from schools serving Naperville sang their hearts out for those dining at the restaurant. A crowd sat and listened to the singers as they peformed. Along with those who stopped to listen while walking downtown and the restaurant's patrons, a number of Naperville officials including Mayor George Pradel and other city council members, enjoyed the musical performances.  The KidsMatter to Lou Malnati's event was held for its sixth year and included singers from schools in Naperville School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204 as well as The School of the Performing Arts.  The restaurant donated 20 percent of its sales from both …

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North Naperville Relay for Life One of Illinois' Top Relays

The Relay for Life of North Naperville will be held on June 23.

From the American Cancer Society For many volunteers, the upcoming American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Naperville, scheduled for June 23 at Naperville North High School, is more than just another fundraising event. Those who have participated before agree that it can be a life-changing experience. Organizers are encouraging all community members to join the Relay For Life of North Naperville to celebrate the lives of those who have cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease, honor caregivers and fight back against a disease that takes too many. Teams from area families, schools, community groups and businesses are still needed to participate in this overnight, life-affirming experience to share hope with cancer survivors, …

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Last Chance: American English Performs Concert for a Cause

DuPage Habitat for Humanity Women Build Initiative will benefit from funds raised at Friday night's concert.

The closest thing Beatles fans can get to the real thing is American English. The well-known Beatles’ tribute band is playing a concert for a cause this weekend. American English will be performing Friday night at Pfeiffer Hall in support of the DuPage Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Initiative. The initiative seeks to encourage the involvement of women in building Habitat homes, according to DuPage Habitat for Humanity. Locally, a number of sustainable townhomes will be built in Glen Ellyn. Funds raised through the concert will be used toward the local Women Build Initiative. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and WLS radio show host Dave Fogel will be the event’s master of ceremonies. Tickets are $22 in advance or $25 at the door – if the …

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DuPage Children's Museum Benefit Ball Raises Nearly $233,000

The DuPage Children's Museum's Champions for Children Benefit Ball was held on April 14 at the Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre and 300 people attended the event.

DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) hosted its annual Champions for Children Benefit Ball on Saturday, April 14 at Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre in Naperville. Presented under the sparkling stars of a dramatic Venetian night, the black tie optional benefit was a glamorous night of live entertainment, unique auction items and special honorees, all to support educating young children. The evening was led by Emcee Judy Hsu, co-anchor of ABC 7 News This Morning.  In addition to raising funds for the organization, the event was an opportunity to honor those who’ve made a large impact in early learning through the Museum. Dorothy Carpenter, who passed away last April and co-founded DCM with Louise Beem, was honored at the Benefit Ball with a …

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Last Chance: Ignite the Nite for KidsMatter

Help support kids doing great things and support others seeking the tools they need to succeed.

Naperville will be on fire with talent Thursday night as 62 teen performers “Ignite the Nite” for the first KidsMatter talent show benefit. Along with all of the local teen talent, which includes student performers from schools all around the area, Gina Glocksen, a ninth place finalist in American Idol season six and Naperville native, will also be performing during the event.  Funds raised at the event will help KidsMatter continue its programs, which KidsMatter said provides “character-building events and community outreach programs to arm youth with the tools they need to battle the debilitating stressors of everyday life and  link youth and families with a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.” Tickets for the event, which will be …

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Naperville Couple One of Many Benefitting from Naperville CARES

Naperville CARES will be holding Cuisine for a Cause, which raises money to help families in need in Naperville.

Submitted by Naperville CARES Julie Acanfora-Hamning moved to Naperville with her now husband Chris when he received a promotion and raise. They were shocked when, as they were moving in the last of their boxes, he was informed that the company was filing bankruptcy and he was going to be laid off.   Although Julie was still employed, the couple found themselves unable to afford the rent they had taken on. Julie had a chronic medical condition so, with no medical insurance, they watched medical and credit card bills pile up. Chris took on temporary jobs and became depressed and discouraged. Julie wasn’t doing much better. Without her medication she was becoming ill. They did not have electricity, were hungry and freezing, yet living in a …

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Julie Acanfora-Hamning

1:03 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012

Hello. I am the person listed in this article. It is truly an excellent point that is not listed in the article. Yes, people pay back in both time and money the support shown. The reason we were selected for this article was that we send money and thank you notes many times a year. We were helped in 2001-2002ish and have been giving money and time since then so that no one has to be turned away. …   more ›

Naperville Raises Thousands of Dollars for St. Baldrick's

Hundreds of people came out Friday night to watch as locks were shorn to raise funds for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

It was a hair raising event Friday night as locks were clipped, snipped, shorn and shaved off in order to raise funds for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The nonprofit funds childhood cancer research. From tots of 6 or 7 to adults, male and female, the willing lined up to have their hair shaved off. Each participant who had their head shaved raised funds for the foundation. The amounts ranged from hundreds to thousands of dollars.  Over the last seven years, the event has raised about $700,000 in Naperville, said Tim Jordan, one of the event's organizers. This was the eighth year it was held in Naperville. The fundraiser was held at Player's Indoor Sports Center.  Several participants were honored by being inducted into the Knights of the …

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Climbing the Hancock One Step at a Time to Help Battle Lung Cancer

Plainfield pediatrician Steve Kovar is participating in Sunday's Hustle Up the Hancock in tribute to a close friend who's battling the disease.

Editor's note: Steve Kovar has been chosen as the Huffington Post's Greatest Person of the Day," which puts a national spotlight on people who are confronting major issues and making a difference in their community. To check out the feature there and to read other inspiring stories, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/greatest-person-of-the-day. This Sunday morning, at about the time most of us are grabbing our first cup of coffee, Steve Kovar will be at the foot of one of Chicago's tallest buildings and likely whispering a small prayer along the lines of “Feet don’t fail me now.” His goal will be to climb the John Hancock Center's 94 flights of stairs in less than a half hour and in the process raise more than $500 for Respiratory …

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