Ronald McDonald House holiday tree named winner at Cantigny
A Christmas tree decorated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and displayed throughout the holiday season at the Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton received the most votes in public balloting, the museum announced.
By winning the popular vote, the organization earns an additional $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for a total of $5,000. The six other participating local charities each receive $2,500.
Ronald McDonald House serves as a "home away from home" for families so they can stay near their hospitalized children at little or no cost. The newest Ronald McDonald House opens Sunday, Jan. 18, across from Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. The $5,000 McCormick Foundation grant will support the Winfield facility.
Community Trees is an annual holiday attraction to celebrate Cantigny's connections with the community and honor McCormick's philanthropic legacy. Seven local charities were invited to participate because their missions involve issues or causes that were meaningful to McCormick, Cantigny's benefactor.
Museum visitors were encouraged to vote for their favorite tree and, if they wished, donate to one or more of the agencies. Cash contributions by visitors totaled more than $1,100, all of which goes to the participating charities. About 4,200 people visited the museum during the event, casting 1,835 votes.
"Our visitors enjoy the trees and, through the McCormick Foundation, we enjoy supporting organizations that do such important work in our communities," said Diane Gutenkauf, director of the McCormick Museum.
This was the fifth year for the Community Trees program. Participating organizations, in addition to Ronald McDonald House, were:
• Community Housing Advocacy and Development, Wheaton - Providing affordable housing to low-income people in DuPage and Kane counties.
• Family Shelter Service, Wheaton - Transforming lives by offering help and hope to those affected by domestic violence.
• Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities, Winfield - Providing therapeutic equestrian activities for people with disabilities.
• Loaves and Fishes Community Services, Naperville - Providing food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient.
• RevelationGolf, Elk Grove Village - Improving the physical, social, emotional and spiritual quality of life for veterans and others with disabilities by using the game of golf.
• We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center, West Chicago - Providing people with disabilities the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and to train and work in a supportive, safe and caring environment.
The McCormick Museum is closed in January and will reopen weekends in February for free guided tours. February hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The museum returns to its regular Tuesday through Sunday tour schedule in March.
For information about Cantigny, including park hours, directions and details about upcoming events, visit cantigny.org.