Mundelein’s Medline employees make a difference for Allendale

Nearly 500 Mundelein-based Medline employees, company executives, friends and family members filled the Allendale Association campus in Lake Villa to put their painting and landscaping skills to work for a good cause.

Allendale Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the treatment and advocacy for troubled children, youth and their families, was selected for this year’s “Medline Makes a Difference Day” event.

Medline volunteers spent time on a variety of beautification and remodeling projects at the Allendale campus where up to 150 boys and girls live and receive treatment. Projects included painting indoors and outdoors, planting, mulching and cleaning. Those with a creative flair also designed canvas murals that will hang throughout the campus hallways and living spaces. In addition, volunteers built picnic tables, benches and owl houses and constructed a half-mile long walking trail using 350 tons of material.

“The Allendale Association provides a crucial service for our community’s children and their families. We’re thrilled that our energetic group of volunteers had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and support this important organization,” said Jim Abrams, chief operating officer at Medline. “With our headquarters in Lake County, and Illinois roots dating back more than 100 years, we should all do our part to help our neighbors and communities however we can.”

“We are pleased to have great corporate partners right here in the area who believe in making a difference for the children and families we serve,” said Mary Shahbazian, president of Allendale Association. “Our work results in relationships repaired, in hope restored and in a new vision for a better life plan.”

This event marks the 7th annual “Medline Makes a Difference Day” to support local organizations and schools. Since the program’s inception, employees and family members have contributed more than 24,000 volunteer hours to the local community in Northern Illinois. This is also the seventh year Medline has collaborated with Chicago Cares, an organization focused on building volunteer experiences, on this community outreach event.