Cantigny tree display helps charities
The Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park invites visitors to a holiday attraction honoring McCormick's philanthropic legacy.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 18, and continuing through Dec. 29, the McCormick Museum will feature seven Community Trees, each decorated for Christmas by a different local nonprofit organization. The charities were invited to participate because their missions involve issues or causes that were important to McCormick during his career and life at Cantigny.
Each participating organization receives a $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The nonprofits also collect 100 percent of donations made by museum visitors, who are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree. The agency whose tree garners the most votes receives an additional $2,500. The foundation commits $20,000 annually to the program.
The chosen agencies recall Colonel McCormick's passion for community service. Tree decorators in 2016 are:
• Aspire, based in Hillside, provides services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the community in the Chicago area. Founded in 1960.
• Pets Assisting Wounded Warriors, in Palos Heights, enriches the lives of disabled veterans through the use of service dogs and educates the public on the issues facing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
• Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora helps immigrant women learn to read, write and speak English within an atmosphere of mutual respect and dignity.
• Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago engages people in healthy and active ways to get around the region by improving conditions for safe and easy bicycling, walking and transit.
• Midwest Save Our Ancestors' Remains and Resources Indigenous Network Group Foundation, or Midwest SOARRING, assists Native American tribes with repatriation concerns, educates the public about American Indian cultural and environmental issues, and builds community among all people. Founded in 1996 and based in Lyons.
• Donka in Wheaton helps people with disabilities improve their quality of life using computers and assistive technology. Founded in 1987 at the DuPage Convalescent Center.
• Youth Outlook in Naperville supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning youth in Chicago's western suburbs. Founded in 1996.
The trees will be positioned throughout the McCormick Museum. For the seventh year, Phillip's Flowers and Gifts will design and decorate the 18-foot-tall tree in Freedom Hall, Col. McCormick's historic library.
The Community Trees exhibit ends on Thursday, Dec. 29, the museum's final day of 2016 operations.
McCormick Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, with visits by free guided tour. The museum is closed on Mondays and will close Nov. 24 and 25 and Dec. 23 and 26.
Parking at Cantigny is $5 per vehicle (free for members). For information, visit cantigny.org.
If you go
What: Community Trees featuring Christmas trees decorated by seven nonprofit organizations
When: Friday, Nov. 18, to Thursday, Dec. 29
Where: McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Details: Visitors encouraged to donate to organizations and vote for their favorite tree
Cost: $5 parking per vehicle
Info: (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org