Highland Park Community Foundation Presents $169,500 in Grants at 2016 Awards Reception
Highland Park, IL - October 28, 2016: The Highland Park Community Foundation held their annual grants award reception on Wednesday, October 26th at the Highland Park Community House. The Foundation, established in 1992 to provide support and expand the services of social, cultural, and educational agencies in Highland Park and Highwood, surpassed the previous year's grants, awarding a total of $169,500 to 31 non-profit community agencies and organizations.
Peter W. Flanzer, Chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation said, "We are able to support numerous worthy organizations that provide social, educational and arts programs in our community. The grants presented are an acknowledgement of their tireless dedication and work on behalf of those in need."
Highland Park Mayor, Nancy Rodkin Rotering congratulated the Highland Park Community Foundation on their powerful "Give Where You Live" campaign and their generous annual grant awards on behalf of the Highland Park/Highwood community. "We are so appreciative of the vital support Highland Park Community Foundation provides towards one of the City's four core priorities: community vibrancy. Through HPCF's thoughtful grant-making, many agencies are able to meet otherwise unmet needs throughout our community. When we are able to help our neighbors, we all grow as a community. We thank the HPCF for its continued impactful efforts," said Mayor Rodkin Rotering.
HPCF Chairman Peter Flanzer began the evening's program with a cocktail reception attended by community members, grant recipients, and HPCF Board Members, who all share a vision for community support. Guest speakers and honorees include: Sara Sher, Golden Apple Committee Chair, HPCF; Cindy Rossman, Braeside School teacher and 2016 Golden Apple recipient; Carrie Callas, Executive Director, Family Service; and HPCF Student Board members Sarah Beck, Lizeth Sandoval, and Jennifer Silva, who discussed their participation in programs funded by the Foundation.
Mr. Flanzer presented the third annual Jack Blane Community Service Award to the 2016 honoree, Andrew Livingston. Mr. Livingston is a lifelong resident of Highland Park. He served as Highland Park Community Foundation Chairman from 2010-2013. For the past 15 years Andy has supported the Highland Park/Highwood community, first as a HPCF board member and now as an advisory board member.
"All of us at HPCF are thrilled to honor Andrew Livingston for his outstanding service and dedication. Andy was a tireless advocate for the Foundation and he wore his passion for serving the unmet needs of our Highland Park community on his sleeve," said Mr. Flanzer.
The annual Jack Blane Community Service Award, launched in 2014, honors past HPCF Chairman, Jack Blane. As founding member and previous Chairman of HPCF, his commitment to serving others extended to all aspects of his life. He served his country as a Marine, offered humanitarian services as a Rotarian, as well as serving on the governing body of Highland Park as a city councilman.
"Jack is the definition of a modest and brilliantly innovative community leader with a big heart who championed community support," said Mr. Flanzer.
Past recipients of the prestigious Jack Blane Community Service Award include long-time member of HPCF, Bruce Goodman and Highland Park High School Principal, Dr. Thomas Koulentes.
Nancy Mills, Vice Chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation presented the 31 grant awards honoring the agencies and organizations that are committed to assisting community members in need. 2016 recipients include: The Art Center of Highland Park (TAC); Catholic Charities of Lake County - Senior Citizen Support Services; Community: The Anti-Drug; Family Service of Lake County - Latino Education Continuum Focus on the Arts; College Bound Opportunities; Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center; HPHS - Homework Club; HPHS - National Hispanic Institute Leadership Scholarship; Highland Park/Highwood Home Child Care Association, Highland Park/Highwood Legal Aid; Midwest Young Artists; and many more. For a complete list of the 2016 grant recipients please visit: http://hpcommunityfoundation.com/2016/10/20/all-2016-grant-recipients/.
The 2016 grant awards reception sponsors include: Sunset Foods-Platinum sponsor, Autohaus on Edens, First Bank of Highland Park, and Keyth Technologies-Gold Sponsors and Martin and Associates -Silver sponsor. The musical interlude was provided by Midwest Young Artists.
The HPCF accepts grant proposals from agencies and organizations which have the following characteristics: IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status (current) and the population served must be at least 51% Highland Park/Highwood residents. All grant proposals must be received by July 1th of the applying year. For more information please visit: http://hpcommunityfoundation.com/.
All press inquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Gayle Seminara Mandel, gaylemandel@gmail.com, 847-432-3333.
About Highland Park Community Foundation: The Highland Park Community Foundation was established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park to build and maintain a permanent endowment fund. The fund serves to support and expand the services of social service, cultural, and educational agencies in Highland Park and Highwood. It is also used to nurture the early stages of new and innovative programs. The Foundation's avowed purpose is to "meet the unmet needs" of the community - needs that are not met by governmental or other sources.