Take a look at all the excitement we’ve already had in 2009!
Dreams for Kids Fundraiser at McFaddens
Friday, December 11th, 2009- 6pm-8pm
State and Division- Chicago
Dreams for Kids Holiday for Hope celebration will be on the 19th so there will also be a collection box for toys at the event. Holiday for Hope is a holiday celebration that provides food, entertainment, gifts, and most of all, hope for over a thousand children in Chicago and many other participating cities around the world. Generally we have a shortage for the kids between the ages of 5 and 7. ALL toys will be greatly appreciated, whether from the above list or not. Anything will help tremendously. These are the most underprivileged kids in the Chicagoland and your toy will allow for a kid to have a Merry Christmas! McFaddens will also be running a toy drive through Christmas Eve beginning Friday December 4th. Anyone going to McFads will have FREE entry with an UNWRAPPED TOY!
Celebrity Bail-Out from Clara’s House Shelter – "Help Get Me Home!"
Friday, December 11th, 2009- Noon to 8pm
Clara’s House Shelter
Chicago, Illinois
Join hosts Robin Robinson of FOX News Chicago and Tony Scofield of WGCI-FM as luminairies from the fields of media, sports, business, education, politics, law, education, entertainment, will spend up to an hour confined to the shelter and ask thier friends and the public to call in and bail them out so they can go home. The event will be streamed live on MYFOX Chicago and WGCI-FM.
Clara’s House was founded by our friend and Advisory Council member Clara Kirk and is the place where Dreams for Kids began on December 24th, 1989. Clara has sheltered over 13,000 homeless children and thier mothers in 20 years and has been a force for positive change in the community of Engelwood. Contact Shelly for more information!
Clara’s House was founded by our friend and Advisory Council member Clara Kirk and is the place where Dreams for Kids began on December 24th, 1989. Clara has sheltered over 13,000 homeless children and thier mothers in 20 years and has been a force for positive change in the community of Engelwood. Contact Shelly for more information!
Holiday for Hope Wrap Party-Chicago
Thursday, December 17th, 2009- 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
IBEW Local #134 Hall
600 W Washington
Chicago, Illinois
Join in the fun and help us "wrap’ over 4,000 toys for our main event! Please contact Shelly for more information and to sign up today!
Holiday for Hope -Chicago
Saturday, December 19th, 2009- 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
IBEW Local #134 Hall
600 W Washington
Chicago, Illinois
A truly historic event! This is our 21st holiday event, now hosted by groups around the US and in several countries. From visits to shelters and orphanages to grand parties in the street and in churches, global communities celebrate this special Season and provide their underprivileged and homeless children with a day filled with generosity, love, and hope which carries into the New Year.
Join us for our main event in Chicago, bringing over 1,000 kids together for a spectacular day of food, music, games, clowns, face painters, and a shopping bag full of gifts for each child. join an event in your city, or host your own! Please contact Shelly for more information and to sign up today!
Join us for our main event in Chicago, bringing over 1,000 kids together for a spectacular day of food, music, games, clowns, face painters, and a shopping bag full of gifts for each child. join an event in your city, or host your own! Please contact Shelly for more information and to sign up today!
Extreme Recess Martial Arts Class and Exhibition
Saturday, November 21st-10:30am-12:30pm
North Shore Dojo
2081 Johns Court
Glenview, Illinois
Join host Michael McCarthy and Dojo Jeff Kohn as we partner once again with the Kids Can Do Foundation for an introduction to the Martial Arts for kids of all abilities. After a 30 minute exhibition where you will learn balance,strength building, focus and karate, you will be invited to join in and particpate in activities such as rope climbing, obstacle courses, punching, kicking, and balance games. Pizza Party to follow! Contact Shelly for more information!
Click here to see a past Martial Arts Extreme Recess video!
Mike Mentzer CD Release Party
Thursday, November 12th 9pm-Midnight
The Underground-Chicago
Join singer, song-writer Mike Mentzer and the University of Chicago’s Graduate Program Booth for an unforgettable party to release Maybe Tonight, Mike Mentzer’s debut album. Proceeds to benefit Dreams for Kids. Click here for more details.
Dream Leaders Conference- Chicago
Saturday, November 14th- 9am-5pm
Columbia College, Chicago
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago
This life-changing day is an extraordinary opportunity for middle school and high school students who are passionate about global issues and making a difference to meet other young leaders from all over the city! There are limited spots, so email Abby to receive your application today! Parents are strongly encouraged to attend as well! Click here for more information.
Extreme Recess – Hoe Down Hayride!
Sunday, October 25th,2009- 4:00pm to 8pm
Patch 22 Farms
Wadsworth Illinois
Its time for some good old fashioned fun! The kids are going on a horse drawn wagon hayride, straight down a country road at dusk, to be treated to a bonfire, guitar singer, hot cider, and roasting smoores! Back at the farm, there will be a petting zoo, grills for barbeque, pumpkin decorating, and a big barn in case our crazy weather does not cooperate. If you are ready to get back to the simple life for a few hours of pure fun the weekend before Halloween, contact Shelly for more information!
Dreams for Kids 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Friday October 16th, 2009
6:00pm
Chicago Planetarium
Chicago, Illinois
Join us for a spectacular celebration of our historic year. With live entertainment, silent autions, special appearances, and the lakefront filled with the young and the young at heart, the fabulous Planetarium will be filled with stars as we Celebrate the History, Create the Future, and get ready to Change the World! This event will sell out quickly and will be like none other. Click here to purchase tickets or contact Shelly for more information!
Dreams for Kids 20th Annual Golf Outing
Wednesday, September 23rd- Registration 7:30am-8:30am
Gleneagles Country Club
13070 McCarthy Road
Lemont, IL
Thank you to IBEW Local #134 for hosting our 20th Annual Golf Outing! The golf outing will be followed by dinner and an open bar. Please contact Shelly for more information and to sign up today!
Fishin’ Buddies! Annual Fishing Derby
Saturday, September 19th, 10am-2pm
Tampier Lake
Palos Park, IL
Join our good friends, Fishin’ Buddies, for an exciting day of fishing and appreciating the great outdoors. For kids age 5-15 of all abilities! There are a limited amount of tickets, so click here to register today!
Chicago Blackhawks/Dreams for Kids Press Conference
Tuesday, September 15th, 6:00p.m
Chicago Illuminating Company
19 East 21st Street
Chicago, Illinois
You wont want to miss this news! Join our longtime partner, the Chicago Blackhawks for an annoucement that is historic! Sorry, cant tell you more now! Its big!
Run to Remember 2009
Sunday, September 13th, Registration 7-7:50am
New Trier High School- Northfield Campus
7 Happ Road
Northfield, IL
This 5k run/walk will honor the memory of three New Trier graduates Sam Farmer, Shea Fitzgerald, and Julie Sorkin who were tragically killed during the Chicago porch collapse in 2003. Dreams for Kids is honored to be one of the charities selected to celebrate the legacy of these three greatly missed young people. Click here for more information and registration.
Buddy Baseball
Sunday, September 13th, 12 noon
U.S. Cellular Field
35th & Shields
Chicago, Illinois
Join us for the 7th Annual Keshet Buddy Baseball Game. This is that rare chance to be on the field where the White Sox play. There will be food, music, and non stop fun as kids with disabilities come from the sidelines and right down on the field of dreams. $18 per person and 410 for Buddys and Players(includes lunch). Please contact Shelly for more information and to sign up today!
Dreams for Kids Lawless Volleyball Tournament
Saturday, August 29th- 8:30am
North Ave. Beach, Chicago
For the 8th consecutive year, we have teamed up with the Jeff Lawless Foundation to host a great tournament and honor a great guy. Whether you are a beginning volleyball player who just wants to enjoy a fantastic summer day, or a competitive player who is playing to pick up one of our cash prizes, you do not want to miss this event! Please contact Shelly for more information and registration or signup today with our secure online registration form! http://www.DreamsForKids.org/volleyball
Dream Leaders Conference
Saturday, August 22nd- 8:30am registration, 9am-5:30pm
Columbia College- 600 S Michigan Ave.
An extraordinary opportunity for middle school and high school students who are passionate about community service to meet other young leaders from all over the city. Email Abby to sign up today! Parents are welcome too!
Dive Heart
August 12th- August 17th
Florida Keys
We are so excited to support our Dream Leaders with disabilities so they can attend Dive Heart, an adaptive Scuba diving program in the Florida Keys. We know what a life-changing experience it was for the residents at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education- Roosevelt (ICRE-R) last year!
Extreme Recess Adaptive Water Skiing- Twin Lakes
Tuesday, August 11th- Time TBA
Twin Lakes, WI
Perhaps one of our most anticipated events, the Extreme Recess Adaptive Water Skiing in Twin Lakes is an unforgettable day of adaptive water skiing, swimming, fishing, boating , food and more for kids with disabilities and their families. It’s free to attend and perfect for all ages! Contact Shelly to sign up today!
Chicago Blackhawks 2nd Annual Fan Convention
Friday July 17th to Sunday July 19th
Hilton Hotel, Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Join us to salute our premier partner, the Chicago Blackhawks, while they celebrate a breakthrough season and host their second annual fan convention, something no hockey team has ever done in NHL history. No suprise to us, as the Blackhawks have established themselves as extraordinary community leaders and are breaking new ground every single day. Event activities include autograph and photo opportunities with current and former stars such as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Bobby Hull, and Tony Esposito.
Extreme Recess Water Sports- Washington DC
Saturday, July 18th- 8:30am - Pohick Bay
Washington DC
Dreams for Kids is so excited that we have an Extreme Recess event up and running in Washington DC! Similar to our summer events in Chicago, the DC Extreme Recess Event will be an amazing day of adaptive outdoor sports for children with disabilities and their families. Contact our DC Coordinator Andrew Horn to attend!
Party with the Pros
Chicago, IL
Join the Associate Board and our friends in the NFL at a fundraising party for Dreams for Kids this Saturday, June 27th at the Stone Lotus on 873 N. Orleans in Chicago. Don’t miss out on getting to party with New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas, wide receiver Lance Moore, defensive end Rob Ninkovich, along with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Nick Moore & Washington Redskins linebacker, Al Fincher!!
Ribfest Promo Sheet
Dream Leaders Fundraising Carnival
Thursday, June 4th- 11:30am-2:30pm
Harlan Community Academy High School
The Dream Leaders at Harlan Community Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side are putting on a carnival to raise money to send their peers with disabilities on a life-changing scuba trip through Dive Heart. We are so proud of the hard work the Dream Leaders have done to make this event possible!
Dream Leaders Get Together- ICRE
Wednesday, June 3rd- 4-6pm
ICRE-Roosevelt
The Dream Leaders with disabilities at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt will host a pizza party for the other Dream Leaders to thank them for raising money for them to attend Dive Heart.
Dream Leaders Awards- Harlan Community Academy
Friday, May 28th- Time TBA
Harlan Community Academy High School
Dream Leaders at Harlan will be honored for the amazing work they have done this year!
Do the Write Thing Challenge Ceremony
Tuesday, May 12th- 6pm
University of Illinois- Chicago
Dreams for Kids has partnered with Do the Write Thing to empower youth to raise thier voices against violence.
Dream Leaders Video Presentation at Northeastern
Tuesday, May 6th-10am
Northeastern University- Chicago
We are so proud of our Northeastern students for the wonderful work they did putting together our newest Dream Leaders video! Check it out at Why you should become a Dream Leader.
Dream Leaders Fundraiser- Whitney Young
Tuesday, May 5th to Friday, May 8th
Whitney Young High School- Chicago
Our amazing Dream Leaders at Whitney Young are selling Mother’s Day cards during thier lunch periods to send children with disabilities on Dive Heart, an adaptive Scuba diving program in the Florida Keys. What’s even cooler is that the Mother’s Day cards were designed by our Dream Leaders at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education- Roosevelt (ICRE-R)! What an amazing collaboration for a great cause! Contact Abby to order a Mother’s Day card and honor your mom by helping send kids with disabilities on a life-changing trip in her name!
Dream Leaders Starts at ICRE-R
Thursday, April 2nd, 10am-12:30pm
Chicago, IL
We are so excited to start up another Dream Leaders group at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education- Roosevelt (ICRE-R)! ICRE-R is a residential and education program for kids with severe disabilities. We look foward to working with the remarkable teens at ICRE-R!
Irishfest Fundraiser
Saturday, March 7th, 8pm
Irish Oak
3511 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL
We thank Patrick Fardy for putting on another of his legendary Irishfest Fundraisers!
Wisconsin Child Care Conference- Tom Tuohy Keynote Speaker
Friday, March 6th, 12pm
Brookfield, WI
Dreams for Kids founder Tom Tuohy will speak about the value of ALL kids and how they should all be celebrated at the annual Wisconsin Child Care Conference.
Dream Leaders Outing- Chicago Bulls Game
Wednesday, March 4th, 7:00pm
United Center, Chicago
Because of the much appreciated generosity of the Chicago Bulls, fifty selected Dream Leaders will attend a Chicago Bulls Game, many for the first time! Thank you to all our friends at the Chicago Bulls!
Extreme Recess Adaptive Snow Skiing
Saturday, February 28th, 9am-4pm
Chestnut Mountain
Galena, IL
Our adaptive snow skiing promises to be a day of fun and adventure for kids with ALL abilities.
Dream Leaders starts at CITIES Project High School- Milwaukee
Friday, January 30th
Milwaukee, WI
Dream Leaders will be starting at a third location, and the first outside of Illinois! We are so excited to bring the program to a new state and new group of great kids!
Dream Leaders Animal Shelter Donation Drop-Off
Saturday, January 17th
Chicago, IL
One of our remarkable Dream Leaders at Whitney Young will be dropping off all the blankets and towels she collected during a holiday drive to a local animal shelter. Keep up the great work Dream Leaders!