Thank You!!

Global Hope supporters, give yourselves a pat on the back!
Our fund raiser in partnership with
Willowbrook Whole Foods
exceeded our expectations!

We appreciate all the support we received from Whole Foods, their customers, and the many friends of Global Hope who participated.  As the recipients of  the Willowbrook Whole Food’s One-Dime-At-A-Time Program for the first quarter 2010, we raised $2,016. The Global Hope Board has earmarked this for a specific relief project in Haiti — we added these funds to individual donations received for Haiti Relief and used them to help fund staff salaries during the reopening of IMN School, Darbonne, Haiti.  Read the details in our Blog on IMN School in Haiti.

So, because of such generosity, we are shouting out to all of you:

THANK YOU!!

September 27^th, 2008 proved to be a night to remember.  Our “Sacred Space” Fundraiser was held at Yoga Among Friends, honored by a photography exhibit featuring the art of local photographer, Frank Panek.  His photographs captured sacred spaces from all over the world and were available for purchase.  All proceeds were donated to Global Hope – empowering their goal of making a difference by putting “goodwill in motion”.

We are ever grateful to Frank and his wife Kristin for the donation of Frank’s beautiful work and also for their devoted attention to every detail in helping to put together this incredibly worthwhile event.

Dave Wisbrock of Wisbrock Roofing in Westmont, organized a Flag Day Ride on June 14^th, 2008 and threw a musical gala at the American Legion Post 80 in Downers Grove.  All proceeds were generously directed to the rebuilding of homes in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.

This local newspaper’s account of this amazing April 2008 fundraiser says it all:

Hickory Street flooded with cars April 11 as community members from near and far came to browse through items at the Global Hope garage sale.

Norine Guy, whose daughter Aja is a third-grader at The Lane School in Hinsdale, came up with the idea for a garage sale after helping run a pencil sale fundraiser with Kids Care Club last month. That event raised $1,000 for Global Hope, making her realize how much could be raised for the local charity if everyone pitched in with donated items. Guy approached her friend, Jessica Lederhausen, about the idea, and she willingly opened up her home.

“I just wanted to help out,” Lederhausen said. “I think it’s for a really good cause.”

Global Hope was founded by Downers Grove residents committed to improving the lives of the undeserved throughout the world. From April 10 to 18, a group of Global Hope volunteers traveled to New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward on their third service trip to help those displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In just 10 days, Guy threw together the garage sale, placing ads online and collecting items from The Lane families in the rain. Luckily, the sun came out in time for the big day, attracting visitors from throughout the western suburbs.

“My hope for today was that this (garage sale) would help to serve the Global Hope team while they’re in New Orleans for all the extra needs that should arise while they’re there,” Guy said. “I think it turned out great. It was a wonderful day, and there was a continuous flow of people.”

With 100 percent of the proceeds going to Global Hope, the garage sale raised almost $4,000, and Guy’s wheels are already turning toward the next fundraiser.

From leather couches to crystal, families from The Lane donated a variety of items for the event. Greg Huber, who has a third-grader at The Lane, donated a large television and area rug for the sale.

“We’re very blessed in our community,” Huber said. “Anything we can do to help others is something that’s important to us, and I think especially going through the school, the idea of understanding your blessings and helping those beyond your own backyard is a value that hopefully the kids can see and learn from.”

To view the newspaper article where this story was originally posted click here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This fundraiser lived up to its name!.  Over 400 people packed into FitzGerald’s Nightclub in Berwyn, IL on a Saturday afternoon in September, 2007 and rocked to the inspirational music of several artists including Walt Cunningham and One Accord Gospel Choir, Lauren Frost, Nicholas Barron – and from New Orleans, Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers.  Both the soulful music and the exciting raffles helped to raise $20,000 which put the desire to aid Katrina families in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward into motion.

Our thanks to the over 56 volunteers who helped make this event happen.  We also appreciate the musicians and photographers for donating their talent, and the many others who donated printing, publicity and the many raffle prizes.

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