Easter Seals Fox Valley gets new home in Elgin

March 8, 2012
4:00 pm	to	7:00 pm

The public is invited to a ribbon cutting and open house of the new Elgin location of Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region from 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at The Jayne Shover Center, 799 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

At 4 p.m., a ribbon cutting will take place. A child who attends Easter Seals will wield the scissors, and on hand will be members of the Elgin Chamber of Commerce including President Carol Gieske, Elgin village officials, Easter Seals staff members, Easter Seals families and the public.

“We are happy to invite the entire community to our new space,” said Theresa Forthofer, president and CEO, Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region. “The quality of our facility was achieved with careful planning in order to match the excellence of our skilled and experienced therapists.”

The open house will include guided tours, hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and an activity center called the Kid Zone for family-friendly activities. In addition, free hearing screenings will be available to adults.

The new Elgin location features a new bilingual social work program, the first at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.

“We are very happy to offer our social work therapies in Spanish as well as in English,” Forthofer said. “With the goal of helping more families, this is a vital step.”

Also, the Elgin location has increased space – 7,200 sq ft.; a more open design with spacious halls; warm, natural light; and larger therapy rooms. All improvements create a warm and welcoming ambiance.

Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region has three locations: Elgin, Villa Park and Naperville. It serves nearly 3,200 infants, children, and adults with therapy and audiology services each year. Its mission is to enable infants, children, and adults with disabilities to achieve maximum independence and to provide support for the families who love and care for them.

Founded in 1952, Easter Seals is one of the largest and most highly regarded pediatric outpatient rehabilitation centers in the nation. Key services available include:

• evaluations,
• physical therapy,
• occupational therapy,
• speech and language therapy,
• assistive technology,
• social services,
• community outreach programs,
• specialty clinics,
• continuing education and
• audiology services.

“We have a staff of more than130 dedicated people, all of whom believe in a family-centered approach,” Forthofer said. “Our 65 therapists have knowledge, medical expertise and many years of skilled experience in child development.”

However, the professional staff doesn’t rest on its laurels. Through continuing education courses, the therapists are constantly creating new treatment options to assist children through infancy and beyond.

The open house is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, call Jill Garrett, project manager, at 630-261-6190, email jgarrett@eastersealsdfvr.org or visit: http://www.eastersealsdfvr.org.

A Trip to Tuscany tops Live Auction Items at Marklund’s Top Hat Ball

The live auction items are flooding in for Marklund’s 15th Annual Top Hat Ball – “Top Hat Ball Goes Hollywood.” The black tie gala takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Funds raised will help Marklund, a not-for-profit organization that provides compassionate care to infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

One of the top live auction prizes is titled, “Wine Time in Tuscany: Vacation in a Renaissance Painting… at il Rifugio.” A 17th century villa farmhouse in Cortona, Italy, will accommodate a maximum of eight guests, double occupancy, in a single party for a one week stay. The arrival day features a greeting and full orientation. Activities, all private, include a wine tasting at an Enoteca in Cortona, a tour and tasting at Palazzo Contucci in Montepulciano, a full-meal cooking class at Il Rifugio, and a tour and tasting at the Avignonesi wine estate. The farewell dinner will take place at the villa.

Surrounded by 56 acres of private land, Il Rifugio is a picturesque vacation venue for family and/or friends or for a romantic getaway. The surrounding countryside offers stunning valley and mountain views, many walking trails, and is just ten minutes from the ancient citadel Cortona, a small medieval hill town in eastern Tuscany. Cortona is the subject of many books and movies, most recently “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

There are five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, large kitchen with open fireplace, pantry, dining room with generous table and seating for ten, living room with wood burning stove, upstairs sitting room with open fireplace, downstairs sitting room with day bed, den with daybed, outside barbeque with pizza oven, and a laundry room with washer and dryer. The kitchen has a large table, a dishwasher, a professional stove, and plenty of cookware. The large patio has a charming pergola (covered with wisteria in spring) and spectacular views. Included are gas for house heating, hot water, and cooking; wood for the fireplaces and wood burning stove; cleaning at the end of the stay (The villa will be spotless upon arrival); a cell phone for local calls; house phone for a reasonable number of long distance calls; free dial-up internet usage, Satellite TV, and a DVD and CD player.

It is said that “…if Italy is the body of art and culture in the world, Tuscany is the heart, and Cortona is its soul.”

A sampling of other fabulous live auction items includes:

• A seven night stay at the 8,000 sq. ft. villa of Casa Piazza, located in the exclusive ocean front community of LaPunta, Mexico.  Amenities include a fully staffed villa including a private chef, house manager, maid, houseman and an off-site house administrator There are five full bedrooms with private balconies and 6 ½ bathrooms. This auction prize is ideal for five couples or two families with kids.
• Two tickets to the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles with air and hotel
• Two tickets to the ESPY Awards with air and hotel. The ESPYs honor the best star athletes and memorable moments from the past year.
• Master’s tickets with air and hotel
• Instant wine cellar with over 200 fine bottles of wine
• One week vacation for eight at Disney Saratoga’s Tree Top Villas in Orlando, Florida, over the Thanksgiving holiday. This prize includes air fare for eight, eight Disney passes and eight Universal Theme Park passes. A Costa Rica villa with air travel provided
• A unique Cubs experience
• and many more…

Professional auctioneer David Goodman of Chicago’s Auction Results will keep things lively.

Tickets to the Top Hat Ball are $300 per person. Table sponsorship opportunities and discounted packages are available. To reserve tickets or for more information, visit http://www.tophatball.com or call Jeannine Zupo at 630-624-9874.

Marklund’s ‘Friend of the Year’ Award Recipient Selected

A highlight of Marklund’s annual Top Hat Ball is the presentation of the prestigious “Friend of the Year” award. This year, the honor goes to a family – Gary, Jean, and Beth Lederer – of St. Charles.

Marklund will host its 15th Annual Black Tie Gala – “Top Hat Ball Goes Hollywood,” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The gala is black tie preferred, and many guests are planning to attend in “red carpet” couture.

Proceeds will benefit the infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities who are served by Marklund.

The “Friend of the Year” award began in 1980. The annual recipient is honored at The Top Hat Ball. The selection is made by the members of Marklund’s Board of Directors from nominations made by the Development Department. The Friend(s) of the Year must demonstrate in his/her own way, publicly or privately, a heart of gold and the willingness to serve Marklund’s infants, children and adults in ways that will affect their lives significantly, now and in the future.

“The Lederers are such a great family and so involved,” said Jeannine Zupo, director of the Top Hat Ball. “A part of Marklund since 1991, they are a perfect example of what is possible when a family makes a commitment to serve others and makes it a priority in their lives. They are perfectly well-rounded givers, donating selflessly of their time, treasure, and talent throughout the year.”

During the 1990’s, Gary served on the Marklund Board of Directors for several years and as board chairman in 1997-1998. Initially Gary was approached to join the board to represent parents of children with developmental disabilities. His involvement preceded the residency of their son, Andrew, at Marklund, who now lives in the Marklund Sayers Home on the Mill Creek campus.

From the beginning of his service, Gary has obtained support for Marklund from his employers Pittway, System Sensor, and Honeywell. The couple sponsors a table every year at the Top Hat Ball, and they consistently do a lead gift for the Fund-in-Need bid at the event, with a match from Gary’s employer.

Jean was particularly involved in her son’s care at Marklund before the family moved to England, then Switzerland in 2008. She has always been very involved in fundraising for Marklund and has made a significant difference.

Andrew’s sister, Beth, has become the liaison for the Lederer family. Her Marklund involvement has grown over the years especially after her parents moved out of the country. Beth visits her brother at least weekly and volunteers in the other Marklund homes on a regular basis. Since 2008, she has volunteered more than 365 hours at the Mill Creek Campus.

“The Lederers are always thinking of Marklund,” Zupo said. “For example, they introduced Marklund Board Member Andrea Billhardt to Marklund, and we now have a home named after Andrea’s son, Tommy.”

The Lederers also have another son, Steve, who resides in Florida.

For more information about the Top Hat Ball, visit http://www.tophatball.com or call Jeannine Zupo at 630-624-9874

Marklund’s 2010 Holiday Craft Fair

December 4, 2010
9:00 am	to	3:00 pm
9:00 am	to	3:00 pm
9:00 am	to	3:00 pm

Marklund’s 2010 Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Marklund Hyde Center, 1 South 450 Wyatt Dr. Geneva. More than 35 vendors will display and sell baby gifts, jewelry, fused glass, handcrafted soap, flower pots and handmade flowers, custom wood and acrylic pens, purses, Christmas tree ornaments and lots more. Admission is $1 for adults age 18 and over and includes a free raffle ticket. For more information, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit: http://marklund.org/craft-fair.html.

About Marklund

Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations.

Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.

In Bloomingdale, Ill., the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children’s Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 – 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund’s respite program.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklund.org/.

Commons Crawl – ‘Taste of the Tropics’ benefits Marklund

July 19, 2010
6:00 pm	to	8:00 pm
7:00 pm

By enjoying tropical drinks and great food on a warm summer night, Fox Valley residents can help the infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities who are served by Marklund.

Marklund at Mill Creek is the beneficiary of the July “Commons Crawl,” hosted by the Geneva Commons. “Taste of the Tropics” takes place from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, July 19, at the shopping center located at 602 Commons Dr., Geneva, IL.

Each month the Commons Crawl changes themes and benefits a different local charity. It takes place on the third Monday of the month from May through September. With tickets, patrons get goody bags as well as food and drink samplings from the Commons’ restaurants – California Pizza Kitchen, Claddagh Irish Pub and Houlihan’s.

Patrons will pick up their tickets, wrist bands and goody bags on the night of the crawl at Houlihan’s and then go on their way to enjoy the crawl.

“This event is a ton of fun,” said Vicki Krystof, director of development for Marklund. “I went to the May Commons Crawl and had a blast. You definitely get a lot for the money.”

Tickets to the event are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. A maximum of 300 tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, so participants are urged to purchase early.

For tickets, stop by the mall office or call 630-262-0044. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

For more information on Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or go to: http://www.marklund.org

About Marklund

Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations. Marklund is not-for-profit.

Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.

In Bloomingdale, Ill., the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children’s Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 – 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund’s respite program.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklund.org.

Marklund’s golf classic raises $167,000

On Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 230 golfers attended the 28th Annual Marklund Golf Classic at Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale. More than $167,000 was raised for Marklund, a not-for-profit network of services providing a full-life experience for infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.

The golf event was led by Chairman George Webster, president of RAM Mechanical. Webster’s committee members included Ed Gunther, Kevin Hagen, Bob Korvas, Linda Kowalsky, Liliana Olalde, Jim Porter, Mark Ratay, Ginny Richardson, Vince Robles, Kevin Roche, Victor Rubino, Chuck Sheets, Steven Spurling, Jeanne Suzuki and Tim Tyrrell. In addition, Marklund’s Tracey Beattie was director of the golf outing.

“I support Marklund, because I see the passion, dedication and care that each staff member at Marklund provides the severely disabled kids and adults,” Webster said, “Few people ever accomplish what they do.”

The title sponsor for the 28th Annual Marklund Golf Classic was Porter Pipe & Supply Company of Addison.  Other major sponsors included RAM Mechanical Services, Ahead, LLC, Architectural Resources & Technologies, Inc., Sportsman Liquor, Bob Korvas Agency, Inc., Infotrack Information Services, Inc., The Irving Press, Mutual Fund Store, Pepsi, Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort and Polsinelli Shughart PC.

Golfers enjoyed lunch, drinks, massages, a Golden Tee video game contest, premium giveaways, a $5,000 RAM Mechanical Putting Contest and meeting 25 celebrity guests before they hit the course at 12:30 p.m. On the course, participants were entertained with contests, betting holes, a Mai Tai machine donated by Sydney Frank, a bourbon station presented by Heaven Hill Distilleries and two opportunities to win a car at holes sponsored by Zimmerman Ford and Joe Cotton Ford.

All sponsor foursomes were joined by a celebrity including former Cubs, Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, and other sports hall of famers.

“Each athlete supports Marklund’s efforts to bring the highest quality of life possible to individuals with developmental disabilities,” Webster said. “We appreciate their support very much.”

The evening banquet included drinks, dinner, awards, silent auction packages and more time to talk with celebrity athletes. The prestigious Hero Awards were presented to Marklund supporters Larry and Renie Norkiewicz of Arlington Heights and Kate Harris of Inverness. Established in 2003, the Hero Award is given annually to individuals who, for many years, have supported and furthered the Marklund mission with change and enhancements that have gone beyond the status quo in order to improve the lives of the infants, children and adults served. Marklund’s development team nominates candidates, and the final decision rests with the members of the Marklund board of directors.

“We are very proud of Kate, Renie and Larry and have named them officially as our ‘heroes,’” said Joel Rusco, president and CEO of Marklund. “The funds raised from this outing are vital to supporting Marklund’s services. We are indebted to all who participated in the 2010 golf outing and the volunteers and sponsors who donate their time, talent and dollars. We could not do it without everyone’s wonderful support.”

The live auction had packages such as a Napa Valley wine country experience, a world-class driving experience, a Jimmy Kimmel Live experience, a Lake Michigan sailing adventure for a party of six, Cubs/Sox premium tickets, an Ultimate Blackhawks Package, and vacation stays in Clearwater Beach, Mexico, Hawaii, and Hilton Head Island.

“The Marklund Golf Classic was also made possible by the many participants, donors, volunteers, hole sponsors and celebrities,” said Tracy Beattie, director of the outing. “Marklund is so grateful for everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.”

For more information, contact Vicki Krystof, Marklund’s communications manager at 630-593-5482 or visit: http://www.marklundgolfclassic.org

About Marklund

Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations. Marklund is not-for-profit.

Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.

In Bloomingdale, Ill., the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children’s Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 – 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund’s respite program.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklundgolfclassic.com

Geneva Giving

Geneva is fortunate to have so many activities to choose from during the holiday season. There
are outings and celebrations held throughout the city during the months of November and December that many of us participated in. There is no doubt about it; we are a city steeped in holiday traditions.

I tried to determine which one activity would most aptly define Geneva. Then it occurred to me that it wasn’t an activity at all but the charitable goodness of our residents.  Giving is all around us. While oftentimes it seems that everyone is soliciting money and donations this time of
year, Geneva still seems to be willing to rally around people in need. When as a community we put others before ourselves, we are working towards making Geneva a more beautiful place to live.

So please give yourself a pat on the back for the extra Christmas presents you bought just so your children could give them to charity, to all the ones and fives you slid into the kettles and to all the checks you wrote to your favorite charities. Geneva is truly a giving community.

P.S. How serendipitous is it that one of the most inflectional people in the creation of Geneva was Charity Herrington!

This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of eGeneva Magazine.