STEPPING FORWARD

Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills reorganized its annual Christmas concert under a virtual format in December.

Photography by James Pommier

Community organizations adjust to pandemic conditions

The Coronavirus pandemic has thoroughly impacted virtually every aspect of society.

At the heart of the various restrictions that have been imposed is the desire to reduce person-to-person contact. We have all witnessed the consequences of this in the implementation of hybrid and remote learning in schools, and on television through the bizarre imagery of professional and collegiate sporting events being played in enormous empty or sparsely-peopled stadiums.

But this discouragement of large gatherings has also had a salient effect on a multitude of non-profit organizations that have traditionally relied upon inperson fundraisers to secure needed revenues, or used in-person events to showcase particular abilities and talents.

At first, the social and arts scenes halted altogether, with organizations postponing fundraisers and performances indefinitely, unsure of how to restructure events in the midst of the pandemic, while hopeful that circumstances would improve by summer or fall.

But as it became apparent that life would not be returning to normal anytime soon, many non-profits began to pivot, exercising their ingenuity in developing both new and modified event concepts.

The Hinsdale Historical Society

BY MIKE ELLIS

(HHS) has been uniquely strained by the pandemic.

Canceling its popular Hinsdale Cooks! Kitchen Walk in May would have been devastating in any year, but especially now that the society is embarking on a $1 million capital campaign to restore the R. Harold Zook Home and Studio at Katherine Legge Memorial Park.

The kitchen walk is the largest annual fundraiser for the HHS, and women's board president Carrie Rozich said it is attempting to “recover the funds of not having the kitchen walk.” The Hinsdale Historical Society kicked off its R. Harold Zook Home and Studio capital

The women’s board, which functions campaign with an outdoor event at Katherine Legge Memorial Park this past fall. Photography by Mike Ellis as the fundraising arm of the society, was also precluded from conducting its “holly jolly trolley” last month, as well as its in-person January luncheon. community and get the involvement and help needed to get that off the ground,” she said. The purchase of a $75 ticket affords any individual access to a link to virtual benefit evening entertainment Consequently, the HHS has developed some new events and altered others in order to compensate for lost traditional gatherings. In the fall, it hosted “take a Fresh off its annual luminaria tradition—one of the few that the pandemic did not undermine—the and content, including a comedian, silent and live auctions, a raffle and information concerning the Clarendon Hills chapter and the Infant Welfare’s look at Zook,” an outdoor Angel Harvey Family Health event at the Zook home and studio that kicked off the “It could be a bit challenging, but Center on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Any ticket capital campaign. The society also organized “tales from the I think when you have something purchaser is eligible to host their own party to celebrate tombstones” at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, as well as a drive-thru wine-pull at Immanuel Hall in Hinsdale last month. specific that you’re working towards, and [with] what Zook means to the community, I think that will really the benefit in their home. CHIW vice president and benefit co-chair Melissa Woodbury described the concept as a “pop-up” benefit “People want to get out and do things,” Rozich said. help to organize the community and in your home, with the overall event consisting of separate

Rozich said the HHS is get the involvement and help needed parties, “but we are giving planning a virtual event as a substitute for its annual to get that off the ground. ” them all the components to make it as easy as possible for luncheon, and will also conduct a virtual trivia night - CARRIE ROZICH, Hinsdale Historical Society Women's Board president them.” “We can’t control how on Jan. 30. The women's many people you have in board is exploring several your house,” Woodbury said. alternatives to the customary May Clarendon Hills chapter of the Infant “We hope that people who host will kitchen walk, including postponing it Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary encourage their guests to give generously until fall, adopting a virtual format, and (CHIW) is preparing to host its annual to the cause.” developing an outdoor version. benefit with a twist on Jan. 23. In addition to the basic ticket, hosts

Notwithstanding the difficulties While “virtual” events streamed on the also have the option of purchasing of fundraising during the pandemic, Internet have been popular makeshifts, various “add-ons,” including food, floral, Rozich believes the Zook project has CHIW has developed more of a hybrid alcohol and luminaria. Host homes are given community members “something concept for its annual benefit. Unable encouraged to display luminaria that new and exciting to get behind.” to hold its largest annual fundraiser at night as they would do on Christmas “It could be a bit challenging, but I think when you have something specific that you're working towards, and [with] what Zook means to the community, I think that will really help to organize the Butterfield Country Club and welcome more than 300 guests in-person, the chapter is inviting local homeowners and other interested parties to host their own events at home. Eve to signify their participation in the benefit. Floral services will be provided by Continued on next page