Cantigny's Community Trees honor philanthropic legacy

Seven Community Trees, each decorated for Christmas by a different local nonprofit organization, go on display this month at the Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park, as a special holiday attraction that honors McCormick's philanthropic legacy.

The tree display opens Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the McCormick Mansion at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The charities invited to participate in decorating the Community Trees were chosen because their missions involve issues or causes that were important to McCormick during his career and life at Cantigny.

"We're pleased to offer this program for a sixth year," said Diane Gutenkauf, director of the McCormick Museum. "Visitors love the creative displays and, best of all, the trees raise public awareness for the organizations and generate funding for their vital community programs."

Each participating organization receives a $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. They also collect 100 percent of donations made by museum visitors, who are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree. The agency whose tree gathers the most votes receives an additional $2,500. The McCormick Foundation commits $20,000 annually to the program.

The chosen agencies recall McCormick's passion for community service:

• Friends of Wheaton Public Library, Wheaton, promotes public use and community support for the library, to foster appreciation of its value as a cultural and educational asset to the community, and to focus public attention on the resources, services, facilities and needs of the library. Friends was formed in 2003.

• DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation, Wheaton, raises money to support its mission of educating the public through the collection, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of materials that document the history of DuPage County and its relationship to Illinois and the nation. The association was organized in 2004.

• Illinois Prairie Path Corporation, Wheaton, improves and preserves the Illinois Prairie Path, a 61-mile nature trail for nonmotorized public use located in Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. Founded in 1963, the Prairie Path was North America's first successful rails-to-trails conversion.

• The GardenWorks Project, St. Charles, reduces food insecurity in Chicago's Western suburbs by providing families in need of food assistance with home vegetable gardens and educational resources. Founded in 2011, the organization's motto is "Everyone deserves fresh produce."

• Operation Care Package, Joliet, strives to make sure men and women serving in the U.S. military are not forgotten. Formed in 2003, the organization ships care packages and mails letters of encouragement to our deployed troops.

• DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation, Wheaton, raises money to improve the quality of life for DuPage County residents needing long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Established in 1993, the foundation serves residents of the 360-bed convalescent center by making their environment as enjoyable and homelike as possible.

• Ray Graham Association, Lisle, empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a wide range of services and programs designed around the needs, desires and goals of each individual. The association was founded in 1950.

The trees decorated by the seven organizations will be positioned throughout the McCormick Museum. For the sixth consecutive year, Phillip's Flowers and Gifts will design and decorate the grand 18-foot-tall tree in Freedom Hall, McCormick's historic library.

McCormick Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday in November and December, with visits by free guided tour. In addition, the museum will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, during Cantigny's Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival.

The museum is closed Mondays, as well as Nov. 26 and 27 and Dec. 24 and 25. The Community Trees exhibit will end Wednesday, Dec. 30, the museum's final day of 2015 operations.

Parking at Cantigny is $5 per vehicle; free for members. For information, including park hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events, visit cantigny.org.

If you go

What: Community Trees decorated for holidays

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 25 to Dec. 30; 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; closed Nov. 26 and 27 and Dec. 24 and 25

Where: McCormick Mansion at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

Cost: Free with $5 parking

Info: cantigny.org