'Carecrows' add a charitable touch to Cantigny Park's fall decor
Visitors to Cantigny Park in Wheaton have something new and thought-provoking to check out during their next visit. Four DuPage nonprofit agencies, selected by Cantigny Horticulture, have created a themed "CAREcrow" display outside the park's Visitors Center.
"This is a seasonal twist on the popular Community Trees display inside the Robert R. McCormick House in December," said Liz Omura, senior horticulturist. "With the mansion still under renovation, the trees program is not possible this year. So instead, the CAREcrows add something fun and educational for our visitors while allowing us to continue supporting local nonprofits that are doing important work in our neighborhoods."
CAREcrow creators each receive a $1,000 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. They also collect 100% of optional donations made by Cantigny Park visitors, who are encouraged to vote for their favorite CAREcrow display. The agency gathering the most votes receives an additional $1,000.
The four organizations described below were chosen for their commitments to environmental issues and sustainability, alleviating hunger, and building self-sufficiency in our communities. Cantigny is aligned with their goals and proud to support them.
• The Resiliency Institute in Naperville uses permaculture education, growing food security projects, and community engagement to build resilient communities.
• The GardenWorks Project in West Chicago promotes food growing through home and community gardens to improve the community's well-being, environment, and those facing food insecurity.
• Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Naperville provides food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient.
• SCARCE in Addison educates and mobilizes the community around recycling and other environmental issues, showing how to make a meaningful difference for our kids, environment, and future.
Cantigny visitors can see the CAREcrow displays throughout October at the park, 1S151 Winfield Road.
In addition, the park's Hosta Garden contains a scarecrow created by the Northern Illinois Hosta Society.
Cantigny Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking fees are $5 daily. Parking fees are waived on the first Wednesday of the month. More information and a calendar of events are online at Cantigny.org.
Cantigny Park, part of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton estate of Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is home to the McCormick House, First Division Museum, display gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails, and a Visitors Center with a gift shop, theater, and cafe. More information, including hours, directions, and upcoming events, is online at Cantigny.org. Adjacent to the park, Cantigny Golf features a 27-hole championship golf course, full-service clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy, and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, visit CantignyGolf.com.