Downers Grove Magazine | Community Scene
The Grove Foundation The Grove Foundation awarded $11,700 to 12 local nonprofit organizations at a recent gathering. “Cumulatively we have granted nearly $70,000 since this annual grant process started,” says Karen Laio, Grant Program Coordinator. 2021 recipients included DuPage PADS, Sharing Connections, Hope’s Front Door, FISH food pantry and Alex’s Mission. The increase in demand for mental health care during the pandemic was evident in the applications from awardees including NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), SamaraCare and Grit2. The grant program is funded through the Foundation’s two fundraisers. For more information, please visit www.thegrovefoundation.org.
THE GROVE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS (L TO R): LESLIE SADOWSKI-FUGITT, BRUCE SWANSON, MOLLY BONANNO, RACHEL NEUSTADT, MARY ELLEN YOUNG, CATHY MAHONEY, KAREN LAIO AND GREG HOSÉ. (MISSING: LOIS KOPIS AND SCOTT LINCOLN)
Photos courtesy of the Grove Foundation.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 12 RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE GROVE FOUNDATION BOARD STANDING IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. MEETING WAS HELD AT THE LINCOLN CENTER ON DECEMBER 1, 2021.
The Grove Express The Grove Express 5K was launched this year by a collaborative of community organizations to continue the Downers Grove Thanksgiving Day tradition started originally by the Bonfield Foundation. The Roadrunners Soccer Club, the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, and the Downers Grove Rotary Club organized the run that attracted over 4,700 people in the community. The 5K raised close to $200,000 to help support education and youth programming for District 58 and District 99 schools. The community outpouring of support confirmed that this Thanksgiving Day tradition is a necessary gathering for thousands of family and friends every year.
GROVE EXPRESS STARTING LINE
GROVE EXPRESS WITH MAYOR BOB BARNETT AND WILL KUPISCH
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DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
