Northwester alumni and friends donated $1,620 on GiveForward.org and another $$5,943 in funds raised by NU alum Matt Ulrich through the Oct. 25 Charity Hill Challenge, for a total of $7,563. The Illinois total on GiveForward was $1,020, which means NU was the victor on the football field and on the fund raising field.
The real winner is Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection. In total, this campaign raised $8,583 and introduced nearly 100 new friends to the work we're doing. Without Kurt Kitner and El Da'Sheon Nix launching this effort in September, we would not have that money.
This week Kurt and El were featured in a few blog articles written by GiveForward. Read them here, here and here. 
Fund Raising is an on-going part of the work we do that enables us to offer the programs of Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection. This graphic is one that was created by students in our tech club, and which will be used in our holiday fund raising campaigns. We have three graphics, and any of our friends and volunteers can use them to launch their own campaign on GiveForward.org, or through other communications. Just ask Dan or Bradley to send them to you.
This week El Da'Sheon and Kurt, and the leaders of GiveForward.org will be hosting workshops at the Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference to share their experiences and talk about how athletes and others can take the lead in raising money for their favorite charities.
Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 22, you can Raise a glass for Cabrini Connections! We're having a wine-tasting fundraiser from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at Cellar Rat, 1811 W. North Ave. You can still make a donation, even if you cannot attend.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
NU vs Illinois - Cabrini Connections Wins
Thursday, November 12, 2009
NU vs Illinois on the Fund Raising Field
El Da'Sheon posted a press release on the Cabrini Blog, as well as an update on the Charity Hill Challenge. Take a look.
If you can pass this on please do.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Illini vs NU FUNdraising Challenge!!! GAME WEEK!
For the past couple of months the Cabrini Connections’ program has been promoting the Illini vs NU FUNdraising Challenge leading up to the BIG GAME between
Currently 
The Northwestern core is $925. However, the donations from Matt "Chest" Ulrich and the Charity Hill Challenge, are expected to add over $6,500 to the NU fund raising score.
The Illinois team has been working hard to cut costs and stretch dollars at Cabrini Connections. In September Kurt and Steve Miller, both Illinois alumni, were able to get the monthly rent cut in half, meaning a savings of $10,000 to Cabrini Connections, T/MC.
However, that's not cash, or donations from alumni. The big game is Saturday! If you're a fan of either school, or of Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection, please encourage donations to your favorite team.
Wildcat Fans Go Here: http://www.giveforward.org/illinivsnuchallenge/
We're still raising money for our mapping project and there are seven tickets available for the Nov. 22 Wine Tasting event. See more ways to give at http://www.giveforward.org/cabrinitmc or on the Cabrini Connections donations page.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Turn Bad News into Good News
In my blog today I posted a link to a letter to the editor, titled "Their Blood is on Our Hands" - Rev. Meeks, written by Rev. James Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, and an Illinois State Senator. This is a powerful call to action.
Each week at Cabrini Connections we have volunteers connecting with inne
r city kids, with the goal that our kids stay in school and move to jobs and careers, with our help, and don't end up as the subject of one of these bad news stories.
We can't do this without help from donors. We've had many people step forward, but we're far short of our annual budget, and the money we will need next year to keep providing our services.
There are many ways to give and we describe them here.
One campaign that's going on right now is a competition to see if alumni and friends of Northwestern can raise more money for Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection than can alumni and friends of Illinois.
As of 11/5, NU has$925 points (dollars) raised.
You can donate to the NU team at http://www.giveforward.org/illinivsnuchallenge/
As of 11/5, Illinois has $740 points (dollars). Help the Illinois team at http://www.giveforward.org/illinialumsgive/
You can also sign up to attend the Holiday Wine-Tasting Fundraiser from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at Cellar Rat, 1811 W. North Ave. Even if you can't attend, you might make a Thanksgiving donation to this event and start celebrating your holidays early. See more at http://www.giveforward.org/ccwinetasting/
We started putting events on the GiveForward site in late August, and already we've raised over $61,000. This site enables anyone to launch a fund raising campaign, celebrating a birthday, a holiday, a run in a marathon, etc.
We hope more and more of our volunteers, and friends, will do this, helping us build a much larger network of support to keep kids headed toward a positive future instead of a newspaper headline.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Soldier Field Charity Hill event - thanks to all!
A great group of people ran up and down a sledding hill near Soldier Field on Sunday to get some great exercise, and raise money for Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection.
Julie and Scot Hamilton brought some friends and went up and down that hill at least 30 times each. Julie has been a volunteer, board member, fund raiser, and even a staff member, in the 13 years since she first became involved while a graduate student at Northern Illinois University.
Brandy Kimminau, a second year volunteer, also ran the hill. My son Jacob, age 12, went up a few times. I watched and cheered. This shows that there are many ways to support Cabrini Connections.
The event was organized by Matt Ulrich, and the TWR Organization (Train with Ron Personal Trainers). Most of the runners were people who train with Ron. We hope we've raised some needed money and we hope a few of these people will begin a journey of involvement, just as Julie, Scot, Brandy and Jacob have.
These journeys can last many years, and lead to many new experiences and relationships that enrich the lives of youth, and the adults who become involved as volunteers.
Thank you all for giving your time, energy and dollars.
If you'd like to support on-going events, go to the Cabrini Connections donor page, or GiveForward.org page.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Doing Good is Good for Business
This is a report published this year that shows how consumers value businesses who have social benefit strategies. The message is "good citizenship creates trust".
I encourage every volunteer and leaders who supports Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection, to read this, and share it with people you work with, went to college with, or who are leaders of local and national corporations.
This provides reasons why businesses should be strategically involved in supporting our work, instead of responding with small grants when they have the interest, or the money, or when we fit their funding guidelines.
When we have this involvement we no longer focus on the money to do the work, but the good work we can do with the resources that are being provided.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Charity Hill Challenge, This Sunday, 10/25
Former Indianapolis Colt Looks to Support Cabrini Connections!!!
What: A charity workout! TWR will host our second “Hill Challenge”. The “Hill Challenge” consists of walking or running up and down a sledding hill as many times as you can in one hour. There will be a minimum $25 dollar donation fee. You are also encouraged to find sponsors to raise additional money. We suggest passing along this info to family/friends/businesses, etc. They can sponsor you per hill or give a flat donation.
Why: Proceeds and pledges will be donated to Cabrini Connections: an after school program dedicated to helping underprivileged youth become extraordinary adults (All proceeds are tax deductible).
When: Sunday October 25, 2009 at 9:30a.m-11a.m.
Where: The sledding hill behind the Southeast end zone of Soldier Field.
Who: TWR clients and any friends, family members, peers, or colleagues who would like to get together for a great workout and raise money for a great cause!!!
Details: Minimum donation of $25 dollars will allow you entry to Soldier Field Hill Challenge plus you will receive a complimentary t-shirt!!! The winner of most donations will receive one Train with Ron personal training session!
Directions: The location of the hill is at the intersection of Museum Campus & Waldron Drive, Chicago, IL 60605. It is just southeast of Soldier Field by a few hundred yards.
As many of you may know from last year, street parking is not the best option. We advise you to either take public transportation, a cab, or use the parking garage.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Visit www.transitchicago.com for public transportation directions. Use Museum Campus Drive & Waldron Drive as your end location.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: If you are planning on carpooling or driving yourself; exit 18th street from Lake Shore Drive, follow the sign that says “North Garage Field/Shedd Parking”. There’s no stop sign when you turn left into the parking garage. Waldron is your second and LAST stop sign before you turn left into the parking garage. The parking lot is basically under the north end zone of Soldier Field and costs $14.00.
TO GET DIRECTIONS VIA GOOGLE MAPS: Visit www.googlemaps.com; use Museum Campus Dr & E Waldron Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 as your destination.
After the hill run please feel free to join us at Murphy’s Bleachers in Wrigleyville: 3653 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613-4303, (773) 929-7061. We have tables reserved and drink specials will be available.
If you have any questions please email or call!
Matt Ulrich
Director of Operations
Train with Ron
847.571.2069
This is just one way to help raise money for Cabrini Connections.
Check out the Illinois vs Northwestern Fund Raising Challenge. Before the big game in November, which group of alumni can donate th
e most money to Cabrini Connections. Can they win the game on the field, and in the donation competition?
Donate to Northwestern Team. Current score $755.
Donate to the Illinois team. Current score $450
Thank you all for your help in making Cabrini Connections and the Tutor/Mentor a reality for inner city youth.
