My Favorite Places to Give Back

Happy Giving Tuesday! With so many organizations in need of help this season, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite local causes that I love to support.

  • Beacon Place: Earlier this year, I joined the Board at Beacon Place in Waukegan. Beacon Place is a community center in southeast Waukegan with programs for kids and adultsIt was established in 2012 by a group of dedicated and inspired individuals who recognized a significant need and decided to do something about it. During Covid when the rest of the world was shut down, Beacon Place organized itself in such a way that volunteers were able to work onsite safely, whether it be in a food distribution program or the educational tutors that assist their students. With so much need, it’s wonderful to know there is place nearby where you can make a difference. Click here for more information if you’d like to volunteer or donate to this wonderful community organization.

  • Mothers Trust: I’m not sure any organization has touched me more than Lake Forest’s Mothers Trust. Mothers Trust was founded in 1998 by Lake Forest’s Barbara Monsor. Monsor founded this nonprofit after witnessing firsthand how a seemingly small amount of assistance can change a child’s life. Her idea was simple—to connect people in desperate situations with those who want to provide assistance where it will truly make a difference. At its core, Mothers Trust Foundation fills in financial gaps for children from birth to age 21, in turn providing hope, building confidence, and making a positive difference in young people’s lives. To learn how you can become involved or to donate, click here.

  • Camp Hope:For many years, Camp Hope has been an organization that has been near and dear to our family–my mom and younger siblings have been involved since it first came to Lake Forest back in the early 2000s. Then before Covid, my older children had some of their best summers volunteering at camp. In past years, Camp Hope has offered two, one-week sessions of traditional in-person summer camp for teenagers and young adults challenged by developmental disabilities. Last year, the Camp Hope team pivoted and made camp available online. Virtual camp was a huge hit! Camp Hope has hopes of returning to in-person camp in 2022. If you’d like to support them in their efforts, click here.

  • GLASA: Thanks to the kindness of many of you, I was able to raise money this year for GLASA (Great Lake Adaptive Sports Association) by running the Chicago Marathon. GLASA, headquartered in Lake Forest, supports those with a physical or visual disability participate in sports. I can’t say enough about the heart of this organization, how wonderful they are to their athletes and how gracious they are to those who support them. If you have a sporty family like mine, it’s wonderful to help make such activities possible for someone else. Click here to learn more or to donate.

I hope this list is helpful!

xo,

Ann Marie

My name is Ann Marie Scheidler and I'm thrilled you've decided to check out my blog. I'm a pearl-loving yogi with a thing for travel, a weakness for beautiful bags, and a passion for storytelling. In this space, I'll be sharing stories about my family, go-to recipes, my wellness journey, fashion and beauty favorites, and my love for Chicago’s North Shore. I find new inspiration wherever I go. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride!

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