United Way Web Site Connects People, Group
January 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sun staff
The Naperville United Way has launched a new Web site at www.napervilleunitedway.org.
The new design features video testimonials from Naperville citizens, including Mayor George Pradel and Edward Hospital’s Sandy Benson, as well as news updates on current United Way happenings. The site offers the latest information on how the Naperville United Way is making an impact in the community.
The redesign also reflects the theme of the Naperville United Way: “We are the many faces of Naperville.”
Karen Walerow of Wheatland OmniMedia, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Naperville United Way, donated her time and talents to create the new site.
“This is exactly the kind of project I love to do,” Walerow said in a statement. “I was able to help the Naperville United Way by creating a Web site that helps communicate our purpose in a clear way. I was happy to be involved and lend aid in spreading our message.”
Susan Fritz, the chief professional officer of the Naperville United Way, already knows the many benefits the new Web site will bring.
“We are so sincerely grateful and appreciative of this new Web site design and all of Karen’s hard work; it will make communication with donors, volunteers and anyone interested in our cause so much easier,” Fritz said in a statement. “The Web site is easy to navigate, informative, and it looks great.”
‘Garden Party’ Guests Named
January 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
Custom-designed sculptures unveiled for United Way event
By KATE R. HOULIHAN • Staff writer
It’s official - three unique insects and one amphibian will be in attendance at this summer’s Naperville United Way “Garden Party.”
Chief professional officer Susan Fritz unveiled the four designs Wednesday morning to The Sun. Sitting at the highest sponsor level is what Fritz calls a “very practical” ladybug playhouse. Five of the 5-foot-by-5-foot objects will be available.
| Ladybug playhouse |  |
| Dragonfly bench |  |
| Butterfly birdbath |  |
| Frog chair |  |
Also on the docket is a dragonfly garden bench, made up of a pair of dragonflies with outstretched wings to form the back of the seat, and cattails holding up the chair.
“I think these will be super popular,” Fritz said.
Rounding out the selections are frog chairs
featuring an amphibian whose neck is stretched to the sky, with a tongue reaching out to catch a fly, and a butterfly birdbath with the butterfly sitting on a large daisy with wings stretched up in a V-shape.
“It will catch water in the daisy and the wings will be the focal point,” she said.
All pieces that will adorn the downtown and Riverwalk this summer are custom-designed for Naperville, a first, Fritz said. Different sponsorship levels for the sculptures are available, with the ladybug playhouses at the highest level, followed by gold, silver and bronze classifications. Fritz said sponsor packets will likely be available by Friday.
Come the second Friday in September, the United Way will auction off the sculptures with all proceeds benefiting the organization. Last year’s selection of seahorses, mermaids, dolphins and sea turtles netted more than $100,000.
“I just think these pieces are stunning,” Fritz said about the new sculptures. “I think they’ll be popular, these pieces. We built them to be functional.”
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224.
Restaurants, United Way Join For Fundraiser
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sun staff
The Naperville United Way is partnering with local restaurants to benefit diners and the United Way alike.
Several Naperville restaurants are selling $20 gift certificates for $10 and donating the money to the Naperville United Way through their fundraiser “Support Naperville United Way by Dining Out!”
Catch 35, Sullivan’s, Café Buonaro, Raffi’s and City Club have joined the United Way to provide dinner and donations.
“We are so thrilled to have the participation of these wonderful Naperville restaurants in this program,” said Susan Fritz, Naperville United Way chief professional officer. “Naperville residents can now eat at the best restaurants in town while donating to the United Way.”
To purchase food gift certificates, interested parties can visit the specific restaurant. Gift certificates are available during regular dining hours, and purchasers do not need to be dining to purchase certificates.
There are no restrictions on the number of coupons that can be used at one time. The only exception to this is Café Buonaro, which limits use to a meal other than lunch and to one coupon per couple, per visit. The only other restriction applies at Sullivan’s, where certificates are not redeemable on Valentine’s Day. These restaurants are donating the entire $10 purchasing price to the Naperville United Way, and they are donating the $20 value in food.
The certificates are valid on food only and do not apply to liquor, tax or gratuity. They are valid until May 31 at Café Buonaro, Raffi’s, City Club and Catch 35, and until March 31 at Sullivan’s.
Summer United Way Fundraiser Gets ‘Buggy’
January 18, 2008 | 3 Comments
“Ugly Bug Ball” this will not be.
By KATE R. HOULIHAN Staff writer
Burl Ives belted out that tune in the 1963 movie “Summer Magic” as a way to show beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And come summer, there will be no shortage of beautiful insects downtown thanks to the “garden party” theme of the Naperville United Way’s annual sculpture fundraiser and outdoor art display.
“We’re looking at incorporating these bugs into a bench or chair,” said Susan Fritz, Naperville United Way chief professional officer. “A dragonfly may look like a garden bench with the wings stretched out to form the back, a ladybug may look like a playhouse and a frog may look like a garden chair. We might have a butterfly with large wings. We’re looking at an idea of possibly a garden cart.”
Form and function combined with the fanciful has become an important aspect in deciding what type of Fiberglass sculptures to place along the Riverwalk and throughout downtown. All sculptures are auctioned off in September.
“We’re trying to incorporate the practical with the fun,” Fritz said. “We really need to keep in mind what works with auction. We wanted to go a bit more sophisticated, but we still wanted to have some whimsy to it, because that’s what drives people and families downtown to see them.”
Fritz said the big bugs will work well for people who want to incorporate them into their gardens. In addition, they’re aiming for pieces that offer ample canvas room for artistic expression.
Final details will be known when a committee examines design drawings from Chicago-based Cowpainters and narrows the selection next week. Fritz said two new co-chairs, Debbie Rigdon and Maureen Baier, are heading the charge this year, and she said their experience organizing the annual Little Friends Inc. auction should help.
Last year’s splashy symphony of water-themed creatures drew more than $100,000 when all was said and done.
Fritz believes the unique designs at this year’s garden gala will be “phenomenally successful.”
“We’ve gotten wonderfully creative, outstanding pieces,” she said.
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224
Support Naperville UW by Dining Out!
January 11, 2008 | 3 Comments
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In Memoriam: Bobette Sue Soltau
January 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Bobbi Soltau was a very caring and compassionate person. She served on our Community Impact Committee for 3 years, and was elected to our Board of Directors in July 2007. We enjoyed working with Bobbi because she always took her committee role very seriously and so enjoyed being able to serve her community in this way. Bobbi will be greatly missed, but her devotion to her family and her community is how she will be remembered.
Thank you Bobbi for all you gave to each one of us.
BOBETTE SUE SOLTAU
Bobette Sue Soltau, age 61, of Naperville, Illinois. At rest Friday, January 4, 2008 at Edward Hospital in Naperville. She was born April 4, 1946 in Quincy, Illinois, the loving daughter of the late Frank and Melva Speckhart. She is survived by her husband James; her children Jay (Erika) Harms of Cairo, Egypt, Jodi (Jay) Kahn of Deerfield, Illinois and Anika (Michael) Hubbard of Lake Forest, Illinois; her step-daughters Wendy (Tim) Albert of Wheaton, Illinois and Melissa Soltau of San Diego, California; her grandchildren, Madeline and David Harms, Jack Hubbard and Adam Kahn; her brothers Dr. Dan (Sue) Speckhart and the late Frank (Lynda) Speckhart; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bobbi received her MBA from Northern Illinois University. She was the owner and operator of Fabrications in Naperville, worked at Harris Bank in computer support and was a consultant for Resources Global Professionals. Bobbi was a board member of the Naperville United Way and a member of the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 2528, Chicago, IL 60606 or Naperville United Way at 26 S. Webster Ave, Suite 106B, Naperville, IL 60540.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 4:00-9:00 PM at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill Street, Naperville. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 11, 10:30 AM at the funeral home, followed by a private family inurnment at Naperville Cemetery in Naperville
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