Bowling fundraiser aids Elgin High senior
Students and faculty alike at Elgin High School agree they are fortunate to know Natalie Chastain. The senior is a super star in the face of adversity.
The Wisdom Family Foundation thinks so, too. It is sponsoring a bowling fundraiser for Natalie Friday, March 18, at Elgin Lanes, 401 Shepard Drive in Elgin. There will be a cash bar, pizza and raffle ticket sales from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with bowling beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Donations of $40 or more per adult and $10 per child are requested and include two games of bowling and pizza. All donations go to the Natalie Chastain Fund established at Elgin High School. In addition, The Wisdom Family Foundation is donating $10 to Natalie's fund for every strike you bowl.
Despite having cerebral palsy, being confined to a wheelchair and suddenly having lost her mother earlier this year, Natalie brings “an infectious smile to class each and every day,” says Kevin Gallery, an English teacher at Elgin High School, who is organizing the Natalie Chastain Fund.
Natalie has dreams of going to college to become an architect. She's capable of doing this, given monetary support. The purpose of the Natalie Chastain Fund is to earn money to pay for “a top-shelf computer with all the trimmings,” as the senior uses a computer to speak for her; the cost of college tuition; and a new van that is equipped to meet Natalie's special needs.
Some Elgin residents may remember that one of the wheelchairs designed to accommodate Natalie's limited upper-body movement was stolen last fall. It was later found and returned.
“Natalie is an inspiration for all of us. She is dedicated, hard working, and intelligent. She is a wonderful kid and she needs our help,” said Michelle Jareczek, board member of the Elgin-based Wisdom Family Foundation.
“The Wisdom Family Foundation is thrilled to sponsor the bowling fundraiser for Natalie, and actively seeks to help other children and families in the Elgin community who need support to better their lives.”
Recent foundation donations include:
• Awarding four Elgin U-46 High School seniors with $1,500 scholarships to be used toward higher education expenses;
• Presenting a gift of $10,000 to the U-46 Educational Foundation for the Project Access program, which works to ensure that underprivileged children have equal access to educational opportunities;
• Donating $250,000 to the South Elgin High School Booster Foundation's stadium fundraising campaign.
Established in 2007, The Wisdom Family Foundation seeks to assist in the substantial growth and overall well-being of children and families in the greater Elgin area by providing financial support. The foundation was created to give back to Elgin and the surrounding communities that have, over the years, given so much to Wisdom Adhesives.
To apply for foundation grant money, visit wisdomadhesives.com/history/wisdomfoundation.htm or write: The Wisdom Family Foundation, c/o Wisdom Adhesives, 1575 Executive Way, Elgin, IL 60123.
Donations to the Natalie Chastain Fund can be made by check, payable to Elgin High School with “Natalie Chastain” on the memo line, and mailed to Elgin High School, Attn: Sally Staak, Treasurer, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin, IL 60120. Donations also can be made using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card by calling Staak at (847) 888-5100, ext. 5103.