Battle of the Bands to benefit Marklund facilities

This Saturday, a local event offers the chance to rock out while helping out -- people with disabilities, that is.

The event is Marklund's third annual Music Fest. Six local bands will showcase their talents including a "Battle of the Bands" from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Marklund's Mill Creek Campus, 1 S. 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva.

Music Fest is a free outdoor festival celebrating local talent and offering family entertainment. All music is family friendly.

Audience members bring their own lawn chairs, and Chi-town Grill will provide great food during the competition.

There will be a barbecue cook-off from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring the cooking skills of three local chefs. For $10, guests can judge the event by eating.

There are two divisions for the competing bands.

Age 18 and younger bands include Sevenate 9 from Geneva; Stonegate Drive from Yorkville; and Perfect We Will Be from St. Charles.

The "over 18" category includes Memphis 4 Now from Batavia, Empra from Chicago and Red Beans and Rice from Romeoville,

The winning bands will receive separate 15-hour recording sessions at Waysound Recording Studio of Fox River Grove.

What is Marklund?

Marklund serves infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities.

Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund's vision states "Rising above Limitations." Marklund is not-for-profit.

Marklund's services include medical care, homelike residential facilities, state-of-the-art habilitative therapies, quality educational and day services, and exceptional community-based programs, including respite and early intervention programs for families who have children with severe and profound developmental disabilities.

Where is it?

Marklund's main campus is in Geneva. The 25-acre site is specially designed to provide constant care for adults with severe developmental disabilities. The campus consists of six ADA-compliant 16-bed homes as well as a developmental training center with six classrooms and a hydrotherapy pool.

In Bloomingdale, the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children's Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 to 21; and Marklund's Respite program.

Why Marklund?

One in 10 American families is affected by developmental disabilities.

Approximately 87 percent of the disabled population will be mildly affected, with lower-than-average skills. As adults, they are capable of mastering skills, tasks and jobs.

The remaining 13 percent of people with disabilities have profound limitations. They have a lower level of ability and need around-the-clock nursing care. These are the individuals Marklund serves.

Marklund's history

Marklund got its start when Mark William Lund was born with Down syndrome and heart defects, and he needed a home.

On Christmas Day 1954, a Northlake nurse named Claire Haverkampf and her husband, Stan, agreed to lovingly accept the four-day-old baby into their home and give him the best care they could. That single act of kindness began a most significant story.

Over the years, the Haverkampf "family" grew as the couple cared for more children with developmental disabilities. Their decision to take on children with special needs fulfilled their belief that the able-bodied are "bound and privileged" to care for those who cannot care for themselves. The family moved to a larger home in Bloomingdale, known today as Marklund Children's Home.

Fifty-five years later, in addition to the Marklund sites in Geneva and Bloomingdale, a resale shop in Wood Dale also benefits the organization.

Praise for Marklund

Whether they work with children or adults, the staff and volunteers who dedicate themselves to Marklund's families say they look beyond an individual's disability and see his or her soul. They see how people with disabilities have hopes, dreams, goals and rights like anyone else. The families say they see that as well.

"Marklund has helped us to see that Jack can do the things that we were used to doing for him his whole life," said Judy Hardman, mother of a disabled son. "Jack is different now. He has his own ideas, offers his own thoughts about situations and makes his own decisions.

"At first, we felt guilty about bringing Jack somewhere outside our home, but after my arm injury from trying to lift him, we knew we needed help. Marklund welcomes families. They made us feel like Jack was just moving out and becoming independent."

For general information, call (630) 593-5500 or visit Web site www.marklund.org.

How you can help

Volunteer your time

Marklund invites anyone, be it a group or individual, to volunteer for an event or to help a resident.

There are 326 full-time employees and the number of volunteers varies with each event.

To volunteer, call Cathy Nikrandt at (630) 593-5468 or e-mail cnikrandt@marklund.org.

Donation wishlist

Marklund's annual budget is $17 million. Marklund relies on the support of individual and corporate donors, foundations, grants and fundraisers for about 20 percent of its budget. The remaining 80 percent comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Medicaid, local governments, etc.

Every donation helps - no matter the size or amount.

Donation wish list of items for resident/client use includes finger paints, glue sticks, glitter paint, sand-art, pipe cleaners, stencils, large thick crayons, musical books, touch and feel books, large logo blocks, construction paper, glitter, glitter markers, 3M hanging clips, scissors, stickers, paint brushes, stamps, pom-poms, yarn, glue, stationery, paint, ink pads, tacky blue, spin art, stress balls, plastic clothes hangers, fabric, styrofoam balls, play doh, playing cards, aromatherapy items, relaxation cds, sport equipment, larg fuf chairs, gift cards for Hobby Lobby, Michael's Craft Store, Office Depot, Walmart, Target and Best Buy.

Items for residential home use include DVD player, 20-inch Sony TV, digital camera, 42-inch plasma TV.

Items that require regular replacement include plastic storage containers, all sizes batteries and rain ponchos.

And to help raise the valuable dollars needed, these donations fill the bill: gift certificates or vouchers for restaurants, hotels, airfare or airline mileage, gas, retail stores/malls, video stores, car washes, hair salons or massage therapists; entertainment tickets for sporting events, concerts, theater; prepackaged items such as create your very own basket, i.e. "Bake Away The Winter Blues" with a special cookie recipe, ingredients and a cooling rack; items to package gifts: baskets, ribbon, cellophane, gift wrap, gift boxes and bows; specialty food items such as coffee, wine, chocolate, cigars; collectibles such as autographed photos or sports items; and experiences such as timeshare weekend, piano lessons, helicopter rides or meet and greet with celebrities.

To donate, the mail-in address is Marklund, 1 S. 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, IL 60134; or call (630) 593-5468.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Marklund's third annual music fest, featuring a battle of the bands and barbecue cook-off</p> <p class="News"><b>When: </b>2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Marklund at Mill Creek, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva</p> <p class="News"><b>How much?</b> Admission is free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 593-5500 or <a href="http://marklund.org" target="new">marklund.org</a></p>