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DuPage charities looking for #GivingTuesday donations

Just more than two years ago, Giving Tuesday was merely an idea: What if there were a Black Friday for charitable giving?

Imagine the good that could be accomplished if supporters could get together and donate to their favorite causes on a single day, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. And two years ago today, the idea became a grass-roots social media movement with donors talking about their charities and gifts on Twitter and the like, all under the hashtag #givingtuesday.

Now in its third year, Giving Tuesday already enjoys hearty public support.

In Naperville, for instance, Naperville CARES and I Support Community — nonprofits themselves — have banded together to create a web portal for donors to find and easily give to local organizations. At napervillegives.org, people can search for a specific charity they'd like to help or browse through participating organizations by categories of interest. Once users find a nonprofit they want to support, one click will take them to a donation page.

Meanwhile, generous supporters have come forward with pledges to match Giving Tuesday donations for some organizations.

First-time donors who give to the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association on Tuesday, Dec. 2, will see their contributions doubled by the Coleman Foundation, which has pledged up to $15,000 in matching donations to the park district organization providing social and recreational activities for children and adults with special needs. A second WDSRA patron will match up to $20,000 in gifts from returning donors made through Dec. 31.

Likewise, Loaves and Fishes Community Services, which provides a food pantry and other services for those in financial need, has secured up to $60,000 in matching grants for donations received on Giving Tuesday. The target of $120,000 would allow Loaves and Fishes to expand its client nutrition initiative, helping families with children make healthy food choices.

Throughout the year, we have highlighted a number of organizations working in DuPage County to help our neighbors and make our communities stronger, safer, more compassionate and generally better. Today, we share details about many of these charitable organizations — all of which would be grateful for your gift on Giving Tuesday.

Angelman Syndrome Foundation

Mission: To advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman syndrome through education and information, research and support for individuals with Angelman syndrome and their families.

Programs: The foundation sponsors research grants, funding $4.5 million in research into treatment and cures since 2005.

• A biannual conference provides information on research results, therapeutic techniques, education, and long-term and financial planning.

• The foundation is working to establish a network of 17 Angelman Syndrome Clinics in conjunction with medical and research institutions to provide comprehensive care for those with Angelman syndrome.

Location: Aurora

Reach: National

Fundraiser: Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-Chicago in May in Naperville

To donate: angelman.org

B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage

Mission: To provide programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Programs: The Y offers fitness programs for all ages through group classes, exercise equipment, swim lessons and swim team and more.

• Child-care programs include before- and after-school care, day care and summer camps.

• YGuides, YPrincesses and Trailblazers groups bring fathers and their children together for activities and an exploration of Native American culture.

• A scholarship program removes or reduces the financial barriers to allow families in need to participate in Y programs.

Location: Glen Ellyn

Reach: Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, Winfield

Fundraisers: Christmas tree sales in December, annual golf outing in July

To donate: brryallymca.org

Court Appointed Special Advocates of DuPage

Mission: To recruit, train and support volunteer citizen advocates to speak to the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in DuPage County's juvenile court system.

Programs: Trained volunteers are appointed by the juvenile court system to look out for the interest of every child in the system. The advocate reports to the court on the child's home life, family environment and medical, personal and educational needs and stays with the child throughout the court proceedings.

Location: Wheaton

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April; Naperville Marathon in November

To donate: dupagecasa.org

Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation

Mission: To find a cure for neuroblastoma cancer through research funding, education and awareness programs.

Programs: The annual Parent Education and Medical Conference in July invites families worldwide to hear from experts about research, clinical trials, treatments and more.

• Fundraising has generated $2 million for neuroblastoma research.

Location: Bloomingdale

Reach: International

Fundraisers: Volunteer-organized fundraisers throughout the year

To donate: cncfhope.org

DuPage PADS

Mission: To end homelessness in DuPage County by providing housing coupled with support services and employment.

Programs: Overnight shelters, staffed by volunteers, provide emergency housing every night year round.

• The Client Service Center offers clients help with basic needs, counseling and mentoring, connections to medical services and substance abuse treatment programs, as well as lunch, and laundry and shower facilities.

• At the Employment and Education Center, clients can work with case managers to obtain their GED or improve their literacy or computer skills, develop their job-hunting and workforce skills, seek jobs with PADS' employment partners, and learn money management techniques.

• The Permanent Supportive Housing Program has 76 apartments throughout the county to provide homes for the chronically homeless who have a demonstrated history of mental or physical disability or substance abuse while the clients receive services.

Location: Wheaton

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: Taste of Hope in March; PADS Run/Walk in September; Wake Up Your Spirit breakfast in October

To donate: dupagepads.org

DuPage Veterans Foundation

Mission: To recognize the special needs of DuPage veterans and provide fundraising efforts to acknowledge supporters' appreciation for all veterans have sacrificed for our freedom and safety.

Programs: The foundation raises money to send World War II veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II and military branch memorials.

Location: Wheaton

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraiser: Lunch with Veterans in May at the DuPage Airport

To donate: dupageveteransfoundation.org

Humanitarian Service Project

Mission: To help needy families and seniors by providing groceries and extra assistance for special occasions.

Programs: The Humanitarian Service Project's Christmas Offering provides families three weeks of groceries as well as at least three gifts per child.

• The Children's Birthday Project provides birthday gifts, books and school supplies for children in need as well as a “party in a bag” with cake mix and frosting, candles, party favors and more so parents can throw their child a birthday party.

• The Senior Citizen Project delivers 100 pounds of food as well as household and personal care items each month to poverty-level seniors.

• Feed the Kids delivers 175 pounds of groceries in June, July and August to supplement the diets of families who qualify for federally subsidized school meals during the academic year.

Location: Carol Stream

Reach: DuPage and Kane counties

Fundraisers: Volunteer-organized food and toy drives

To donate: humanitarianservice.org/

Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation

Mission: To raise awareness of heart disorders that could cause sudden death, especially in teens and young adults.

Programs: Fundraisers help buy portable ECG machines that provide heart screenings to teens through the Young Hearts 4 Life program.

• Scholarships to allow children of all ages to participate in dance as well as college scholarships for students committed to dance, education and their community.

Location: Naperville

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: Variety of fundraisers throughout the year; Spring Gala in May; KBMF 5K in August

To donate: kbmf.net

Literacy DuPage

Mission: To provide accessible and customized tutoring in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English to help adults achieve independence.

Programs: In the one-on-one adult tutoring program, a trained volunteer meets weekly with basic literacy learners and those learning English as a second language.

• Conversation groups give English language learners a chance to practice conversational English in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Workforce education is customized, on-site literacy and math classes designed to improve workplace communication, satisfaction, production and safety.

Location: Naperville

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April

To donate: literacyvolunteersdupage.org

Loaves and Fishes Community Services

Mission: To provide food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient.

Programs: The Community Food and Nutrition Program allows qualifying clients in need to “shop” the pantry for groceries that suit their tastes and dietary needs.

• Pathways to Empowerment helps clients navigate public benefit assistance and income tax preparation and offers direction for job searches, English language classes, financial tutoring and assistance for veterans.

Location: Naperville

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April

Giving Tuesday: Anonymous donors will match up to $60,000 in donations

To donate: loaves-fishes.org

Naperville Area Humane Society

Mission: To promote the humane treatment of companion animals and create lasting human-animal bonds.

Programs: The limited-admission, no-kill shelter can house up to 18 dogs and 40 cats.

• Medical treatment for sheltered animals, including spaying and neutering, in preparation for pet adoption.

• Pre-adoption pet-family matching to lead to successful adoptions.

• Humane education programs include the adult seminar series; after-school, summer camp and birthday party programs for students; presentations and tours.

Location: Naperville

Reach: Naperville and surrounding communities

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April; Black Cat Ball in October

Giving Tuesday: An anonymous donor will match up to $5,000 in donations

To donate: napervillehumanesociety.org

Navy SEAL Foundation

Mission: To support active-duty and retired Navy SEALs and their families.

Programs: Programs include support for active-duty personnel and family services, education, tragedy assistance, survivor support and legacy preservation.

Reach: National

Fundraisers: Joggin' for Frogmen 5K in September in West Chicago

To donate: jogginforfrogmen.com

Neurofibromatosis Midwest

Mission: To improve the lives of children, adults and families affected by neurofibromatosis through research, education and support.

Programs: Partnerships with nine clinics in the region help identify doctors and facilities familiar with treating neurofibromatosis.

• Advocacy for funding of research into treatments and potential cures for neurofibromatosis.

• Support for newly diagnosed patients and families; social and networking events.

Location: St. Charles

Reach: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Iowa, eastern Missouri

Fundraisers: Great Steps for NF in June in Naperville

To donate: nfmidwest.org

Operation Support Our Troops-America

Mission: To support the morale and well-being of America's military deployed in harm's way, their families and the returning veteran.

Programs: The Care and Comfort Package program ships to servicemen and -women items either not available or different from what's available in their PX.

• The Family Resource and Support Team helps new military families learn about military life while providing camaraderie at home.

• Baby Baskets support the pregnant wives of deployed troops.

• The Leap of Faith program invites the families of fallen service members to begin working through their grief with a seminar that concludes with a literal leap — sky diving with veterans of the Army's Golden Knights parachute team.

Location: Naperville

Reach: U.S. troops serving worldwide

Fundraisers: Rockin' for the Troops in July

To donate: osotamerica.org

Project HELP

Mission: To empower parents to create a nurturing environment for children to reach their full potential.

Programs: The Parent Mentoring Program pairs parents with trained mentors to help parents understand their children's developmental stages, improve their ability to identify and manage stress, strengthen their support networks and help them find services their family may need.

• Parenting Education Workshops are three-week courses that help parents learn to reduce stress and eliminate arguments associated with child discipline.

Location: Naperville

Reach: Families with a child younger than 12 in Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April; Saddle Up dance lessons event in September

To donate: projecthelpdupage.org

Ronald McDonald House

Mission: To care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing comfort, compassion and a sense of community by keeping families of hospitalized children together in a “home away from home.”

Programs: When the facility opens in January, families who live more than 10 miles away from where their child is receiving treatment can stay at the house for $10 a night.

Location: Winfield

Reach: Families with pediatric patients at Central DuPage Hospital, Delnor Hospital in Geneva, or the CDH Cancer Center and Proton Care Center in Warrenville

Fundraisers: Donor gift registries at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target

To donate: projecthelpdupage.org

SHARE Program at Edward Hospital

Mission: To support parents who have lost a baby during or soon after pregnancy.

Programs: SHARE provides support groups for parents who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. A separate group meets to support parents who have lost a baby but are expecting again.

• Memorial programs help parents preserve memories of the baby they may spend only a few minutes with.

• The Wings of Hope Angel Garden at Edward Hospital allows families to memorialize their babies and provides a place for thought and reflection.

Location: Naperville

Reach: Families that use Edward Hospital in Naperville

Fundraisers: A Walk to Remember in October

To donate: napervillewalktoremember.org

Teen Parent Connection

Mission: To serve the community through education on the realities and responsibilities of teenage pregnancy, and through long-term assistance to adolescent parents for their development of self-esteem, parenting skills and empowerment toward self-sufficiency.

Programs: The doula program provides prenatal home visits to help parents know what to expect through pregnancy, labor and delivery.

• Young Parent and Strong Dad support groups allow teen parents to find community, strength and encouragement to help them meet the demands of parenthood.

• Healthy Families provides individual support aimed at helping teen parents care for their babies and helping them develop.

• The Parents Pantry allows teen parents to shop for baby necessities using credits built up through caring for the baby and continuing to work on their own education.

• Peer Prevention programs bring educators into classrooms to discuss abstinence-based pregnancy prevention.

Location: Glen Ellyn

Reach: DuPage County

Fundraisers: The Human Race in April

To donate: teenparentconnection.org

WDSRA

Mission: To provide opportunities that allow children and adults with special needs to perform at their highest level of ability by offering sports, recreation and social activities in conjunction with area park districts.

Programs: The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association offers Special Olympics and adapted sports, recreational programs such as drama and dance, as well as social events. Programs serve children through seniors.

• Inclusion services provide support, allowing individuals with special needs to participate in traditional park district programs through member park districts. Services range from providing adaptive materials to sending support staff to help the individual participate.

• Disability awareness programs educate groups, such as schools, about living with a variety of disabilities.

Reach: The park districts of Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield

Fundraisers: WDSRA programming is funded largely by the member park districts. The WDSRA Foundation raises money to supplement program offerings and underwrite participation fees. Fundraisers include the men's and women's golf outings in June.

Giving Tuesday: The Coleman Foundation will match gifts of first-time donors up to $15,000; an anonymous donor will match up to $20,000 given through Dec. 31 by past donors.

To donate: wdsra.com

Wheaton Lions Club

Mission: To perform volunteer service to help the community as well as to support the Lions Club International mission worldwide.

Programs: Running fundraisers to support Lions Club charities to help the visually and hearing-impaired.

• Providing volunteers to support local organizations and events.

Reach: Wheaton and organizations serving DuPage County

Fundraisers: Candy Days; annual golf outing; Reindeer Run in December

Info: facebook.com/pages/Wheaton-Lions-Club/228343110552361

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk in Naperville raises awareness of the often misdiagnosed disorder. Courtesy of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation
Programs through the B.R. Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn are accessible to all through a scholarship program. Courtesy of the B.R. Ryall YMCA
DuPage PADS offers overnight shelter for the area's homeless population. Shelters are staffed by volunteers every night of the year. Daily Herald File Photo
  The DuPage Veterans Foundation sends World War II veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com, MAY 2014
  The Humanitarian Service Project collects household items and groceries to deliver to seniors in need, as well as birthday gifts and party supplies for children. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com, NOVEMBER 2014
The Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation raises money to buy portable ECG machines to allow Young Hearts 4 Life to screen high school students for potentially fatal heart irregularities. Daily Herald File Photo
  Naperville Area Humane Society is a no-kill shelter that can house 18 dogs and 40 cats awaiting adoption. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com, JUNE 2014
  Operation Support Our Troops-America provides support to deployed servicemen and -women from across the United States. Actor and musician Gary Sinise regularly headlines the organization's Rockin' for the Troops fundraiser. Scott Sanders/ssanders@dailyherald.com, MAY 2011
  The SHARE Program at Edward Hospital provides support for parents who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com, OCTOBER 2013
  In addition to offering social and recreational activities for children and adults with special needs, the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association's Disability Awareness Program helps others understand how adaptive sports and other WDSRA activities work. Giving Tuesday donors to WDSRA will see their gifts matched. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com, APRIL 2012
The Wheaton Lions Club's Reindeer Run supports Lions' hearing and vision charities. This year, proceeds also helped the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield and the DuPage County History Museum in Wheaton. Courtesy of the Wheaton Park District

Do you know of a nonprofit organization working locally to help others and to make DuPage County a brighter place? Let us know about it and we may be able to feature the group in our Caring in Action series. Send a note with a brief description of the org

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