Naperville Zumbathon to aid local charities

Participate in the Zumba fitness craze while helping local charities when I Support Community hosts its inaugural Zumbathon from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at North Central College’s Madden Theater, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Proceeds benefit I Support Community, Naperville CARES, KidsMatter, the Max Lacewell Foundation and Naperville Area Humane Society.

Whether new to Zumba or skilled veterans, participants will experience Zumba Fitness with five licensed instructors from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees also can enjoy a vendor fair with products from the Eleana Collection, Stella & Dot, Mary Kay, Votre Vu and more from 1 to 5 p.m.

A minimum donation of $20 is required to participate in the event. Participants are encouraged to vote for their favorite instructor or charity. While all the money raised will be split among the participating charities, the instructor with the most votes will lead the most Zumba routines at the event.

For information and to register, visit isupportcommunity.org/zumbathon-for-the-community or contact Marion Ruthig at marion@isupportcommunity.org or (630) 352-9089.

I Support Community

I Support Community uses video storytelling to give nonprofit organizations a voice in a crowded field and offers donors and volunteers a single Internet source for connecting to causes they care about.

The organization provides its nonprofit partners with a series of videos, additional web presence, social media and Internet marketing services for free.

ISC works to increase the giving and volunteer involvement experienced by the organizations on their site, and to provide a trusted resource for those who wish to give back to their community.

Naperville CARES

Naperville CARES has assisted local families in financial crisis to meet their basic needs by providing emergency financial support and resources since 1999.

Headquartered in Naperville, Naperville CARES has distributed more than $2.1 million in financial assistance by providing $1.3 million in CARES funds and collaborating with area congregations, government and social service agencies to provide an additional $844,000.

In addition, through its car program, CARES has supplied more than 500 donated vehicles to eligible households. For information, visit napervillecares.org.

KidsMatter

KidsMatter is a prevention-focused, not-for-profit organization that equips youth and families with tools to manage the stress of everyday life through school and community programs, practical education, resources and youth recognition.

The organization harnesses the power of partnership with parents, educators and an extensive network of community resources to help kids and families thrive. The goal is to stop problems in kids’ lives before they start.

Direct services include Cyber-Safety/Anti-Bullying Initiative, Job Fair, Volunteer Fair, Skaters Picnic, six Student/Parent Empowerment Programs, ParentsMatter Too (empowering parents to challenge their children’s choices), Asset-Building Education, and the coordination of the Collaborative Youth Team, a partnership of 24 youth and family serving organizations.

For information, see KidsMatter2us.org.

Max Lacewell

Nicknamed “Little Dude,” Max Lacewell was a vibrant little boy who loved sushi, Legos and Star Wars. Two days before Halloween at the age of 5, he was diagnosed with one of the rarest and deadliest forms of cancer — diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Nine months later, on July 4, Max succumbed to the disease. Each year, 100 to 150 children are diagnosed with DIPG; less than 10 percent live beyond 18 months from diagnosis.

In honor of Max, his family and friends launched the Max Lacewell Foundation, a research and education not-for-profit established to raise awareness and fund vital research for pediatric brain tumors, specifically DIPG.

Ultimately, the foundation hopes to establish a brain tumor research scholar at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

For information, see maxlacewell.org.

Humane society

Naperville Area Humane Society is a nonprofit, limited admission animal shelter accepting cats and dogs. Its mission is to promote the humane treatment of companion animals and create lasting human-animal bonds.

Staff and volunteers care for each animal and work to address its individual needs.

To continue its work and offer additional services, NAHS relies on continued funding from the community. Community support allows NAHS to help more than 600 cats and dogs find homes annually.

Support in all forms is appreciated, from attending a fundraising event, to volunteering at community outreach days, to purchasing items on the humane society’s wish list.

For information, visit napervilleareahumanesociety.org.

If you go

What: Zumbathon

Why: Proceeds support five Naperville-based charities

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8

Where: North Central College’s Madden Theater, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville

Cost: $20 minimum donation

Info: (630) 352-9089 or isupportcommunity.org/zumbathon-for-the-community