Multiple votes are a good thing - for the Cancer Wellness Center
Here is an election where stuffing the ballot box is heartily endorsed.
The Cancer Wellness Center, with a location at 215 Revere Drive in Northbrook, has been selected as a finalist for a $25,000 grant from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program.
Voting - up to 10 times a day for 10 days - runs from Sept. 23-Oct. 2 at the Cancer Wellness Center's Web page on the Neighborhood Assist program site, www.neighborhoodassist.com.
From 2,000 applicants nationwide, State Farm selected 200 as finalists. The 40 causes receiving the highest number of votes at the end of the voting period will be notified on Nov. 4 of their $25,000 grant.
The program is offered to "anyone who's inspired to make a difference in their community," with rules for participation available on the Neighborhood Assist site. Illinois had the third-highest number of submissions after Ohio and Texas.
Since 1989 the Cancer Wellness Center has provided free programs and services to provide people opportunities to manage, reduce or eliminate physical and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis, the center explained on its Neighborhood Assist page.
Last year, 1,416 people received 10,738 hours of free cancer support services from the center.
It's been an interesting year for Northbrook's Cancer Wellness Center. Director of Development Doris Downing said that despite the center closing March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative ways of reaching people have translated to higher participation numbers than at any time in the center's 31-year history.
The nonprofit's Sept. 10 "Better Together" benefit, handled entirely remotely, raised nearly $200,000. More than 100 people watched the livestreamed benefit, which included a talent show and silent auction and was emceed by "Windy City Live" co-host Ryan Chiaverini.
Much of the proceeds came in the days leading up to Sept. 10, but on the night of the event it still raised some $50,000.
"It was way more than we anticipated," Downing said.