Two United Way Groups Set To Merge
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Naperville United Way soon will join forces with the United Way of the DuPage Area.
The two announced Thursday that they plan to merge Oct. 1 in order to use their resources more effectively to support area health and human services agencies.
Twenty-one of the 30 agencies the Naperville group serves overlap with the DuPage group.
Naperville United Way president-elect Stephen Frost said he’s excited about the merger and believes it will be in the best interest of the community.
“This will allow us a significant amount of benefits from consolidating without interfering with the services that are provided to the Naperville community and Naperville residents and gives us the opportunity to grow those agencies and programs,” Frost said.
Naperville will have five representatives on the new board of directors and will be participating in the organization’s many committees. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to be an honorary board member.
As part of the merger, the DuPage United Way will create two new fundraising positions.
“For non-profits it’s always a competitive time,” said Christine Lewis, chief professional officer for United Way of the DuPage Area. “I think we both are strong leaders throughout our areas and realize the nature of hard economic times for folks and we just want to think ahead of how we can really serve the residents of Naperville … and this is the best opportunity we have.”
Together, the two groups said they will be able to invest $4 million into the communities they serve.
The agencies that don’t already overlap with the DuPage group, such as KidsMatter and Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry, still will receive funding for another two years before they have to re-apply.
KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold said she is not concerned about losing out on funding in the merger.
“We felt very good when United Way accepted us as a partner agency and we believe we’ll continue creating programs that will effectively help families raise healthy kids and are confident in the new merger … they will also understand the importance of organizations such as KidsMatter,” Wenhold said.
The merger will not affect the annual outdoor public art display this year. Garden sculptures will be placed around the city later this month and auctioned in September as planned. The program is in its eighth year and organizers hope to raise $100,000 for charity.
Frost said the program will be re-evaluated after the merger is complete.
United Way Groups To Merge, Naperville Organization Unable to Meet Funding Requests
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com
After five years of flat donations, United Way of Naperville will merge with United Way of DuPage Area this fall.
Sluggish fundraising and rising needs in Naperville left the branch unable to meet its funding requests this year, said Naperville Board President Chip Downing. Of the $1.5 million in funding requests, the agency received this fiscal year, it was only able to distribute $925,000, he said.
“It’s a difficult climate for not-for-profits,” Downing said. “The campaigns we’ve had have been relatively flat, and the needs have risen. They haven’t been able to meet requests.”
Combining the two branches will make it easier for charities to apply for United Way funds. Of the 30 charities supported by Naperville, 21 also receive funding from DuPage. Now those organizations will only have to fill out one, not two, applications for United Way funds.
The merger also will bulk up fundraising abilities for the United Way DuPage Area by turning the agency into a central funding point, Downing said.
As three staffers leave the Naperville office, two new positions will be created at the DuPage office. The new employees will focus on expanding the endowment, gathering individual donations and promoting United Way’s most lucrative operation - its workplace campaign.
“There are some efficiencies that can be brought by combining the two agencies,” Downing said. “We expect additional funds to come out of this merger.”
Five Naperville board members will join the 19-member DuPage board after the merger takes place Oct. 1. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to act as an honorary board member.
Naperville United Way’s annual Garden Party - its most creative fundraising event - will still proceed as planned this year, but Downing could not say whether it will be continued in the future. Each year, local businesses donate sculptures that are displayed downtown through the summer and auctioned in September.
After United Way consolidated six area branches in 2004, Naperville was left the only separate agency in DuPage County. Downing said the seven Naperville-based charities receiving funds can expect support for at least one more year.
“We’re very confident this is the right thing to do for Naperville,” he said.
Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area Merge To Strengthen Human Services In The Region
May 8, 2008 | 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 08, 2008
Contact: Susan Fritz (630) 369-2508
Naperville United Way
Christine Lewis (630)645-6352
United Way of the DuPage Area
Naperville and Oakbrook, IL– Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.
“We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,” said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. “Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.”
The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.
“We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,” said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. “Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area’s most critical issues.”
“By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people’s lives,” said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. “Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.”
According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.
“What changes,” said Mr. Geyer, “is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn’t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.” These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glyn Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.
Mr. Downing said, “Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community.”
Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year’s sculptures theme, “Garden Party.”
United Way improves lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where their resources are needed most. People engage with United Way to give, advocate and volunteer in their community to advance the common good. Spanning 30 communities across DuPage County and beyond, United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human service programs in the region. By promoting education, income and health, United Way creates opportunities for people to live stable, healthy and independent lives.
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Limited Number of Commerative Posters Still Available
February 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
SPECIAL SALE! |
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| We have a limited number of commemorative posters available from Naperville’s 175th Anniversary. All proceeds benefit the Naperville United Way. They are priced at $7.50 each. If you are interested in purchasing one of these limited edition posters, please contact Deena Manna. | |
Roseland Draperies Celebrates 25 Years and gives back to the Community
February 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
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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