Love in the Neighborhood

Contributions from the neighborhood have grown and the one thing that has changed as a result is our global deliveries. It’s all in one now. We receive cards and send cards globally all through the UPS at 516 N Ogden. Thankfully, we’ve connected with the team and they’re

getting used to posing in pics for us.

This blog focuses on the old delivery run that used to come back down Ashland and touches on our following current partners:

• Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC): not through the headquarters, but chapters worldwide.

• Google: 2 office buildings…for now.

• UPS: our mailbox, 516 North Ogden #177.

• Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly: our original contact retired, but they are still accepting cards for the seniors they serve.

• Illinois Medical District: currently this includes UI Health, Cook County Health, and Jesse Brown VA Hospital.

• Chicago Public Library – West Loop: We’ve held a couple events at that location, but even more valuable is we held partner events with groups like Volunteering Untapped as well.

I’m out of shape and there’s no way I could extend that run, but what if? What if I extended it up to Chicago and instead of coming south on Ashland, I extended it a bit farther to Western and came down Madison?

With that extension we’d stop by the headquarters of the ones who made one of our most viewed Instagram posts, Dark Matter Coffee. We’re thankful they contributed in multiple 

Friends from the Dark Matter Coffee anniversary event with the paintings.

phases during their anniversary event.

They raised over $3,000 during the event. Also, their artists produced 200 cards. Then they had artists at the event who made artwork that we donated to a Ronald McDonald House Charity. They used those paintings to decorate one of their key rooms.

Our contact at RMHC Fargo with two of the paintings.

I’ve been so grateful that I’ve been trying to go get coffee on long Sundays before our events. I have a process. I order my coffee and pay. While they’re making it, I ask them about

Dark Matter Coffee Employees during one visit.

the anniversary event, introduce myself, and then ask if I can take a picture for our socials.

I know it must be that order because if I introduce myself before paying, they always say the coffee is free and they love what we do. I’ve even received a punch card. As mentioned before, compassionate vs competitive😉 (#notasnice). I’ll make sure I continue to give back and express my gratitude for their support as much as possible.

The next place would be the corner of Western and Madison. We’re currently working on something with the Alderman to touch on some exciting things taking place in the ward. We’ll provide more details once that’s finalized.

Next, coming down Madison, would be the United Center – the home of the Bulls and the Blackhawks. It’s their initial support that sparked the first meeting with my alderman. At a meeting, I connected with the members of the community development departments of both teams. I’ll start off with the Blackhawks. They worked alongside another school in the neighborhood to make some much-needed military cards. With their encouragement, I connected with the Jesse Brown VA Hospital (mentioned above). The Chicago Bulls have helped in a variety of ways as well. First, they helped us connect with PepsiCo during a joint event that helped teach nonprofit essential skills about growth and making a difference.

Then the Pepsi introduction helped spark Pepsi leading an event and them sponsoring a

portable entertainment system for Cook County Health System.

Cook County Hospital staff with the system .

A close up of the PepsiCo logo on the entertainment system.

Last, but not least, the Bulls donated a luxury box that we were able to use for a much-needed fundraiser. Not only did we raise funds, but we also increased participants’

awareness and interest in our organization.

Finally, I’d pass by one of the Chicago Public Libraries we use the most – the Aberdeen branch. The team there is always very welcoming and does not give us a hard time about reserving a room or redoing the room after the event. As always, we do our best to give them some extra unused envelopes for the patrons who approach them after printing something and request envelopes. Thanks to everyone who includes extra unused envelopes to the side of their package.

I know. I know. This doesn’t include the partners that are still in the neighborhood, but just a bit farther east like Intercultural Montessori Language School having their young students make cards in many languages!

Even looking through the data that Northwestern is helping us combine into Salesforce, I know we’re getting and sharing support worldwide. Even with that in place, I know there’s consistently been LOVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  

#loveintheneighborhood #upliftingspirits

Two more paintings that were donated to that RMHC.