Highland Park Neighbors Magazine Articles

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recently launched its Aiming High for Highwood grassroots fundraising campaign, aimed at rallying Highwood businesses to support the community’s most pressing needs. As part of the campaign, HPCF reached out to Highwood businesses through letters, emails, and phone calls. A special thank you goes to local business owner Lenny Innocenzi, whose dedication and leadership were pivotal in securing the participation of both small and large businesses in this important effort.

“A lot of the organizations that the Foundation invests in to improve the community directly benefit a large number of Highwood residents, including Tri-Con Child Care Center, Nuestro Center-Josselyn, the Highwood Public Library, and many others. However, not everyone is aware of the HPCF’s involvement, and it’s crucial that more people understand the scope of its work,” Lenny shared, reflecting on the significance of this campaign in raising awareness about HPCF’s commitment to Highwood. As a long-time Highwood business owner, Lenny worked tirelessly to connect with fellow local business owners, ensuring they understood the Foundation’s vital role in addressing unmet community needs through its grant funding for nonprofits. Thanks to his dedication, more than a dozen businesses have stepped up to support HPCF, reinvesting in the community they serve.

Lenny Innocenzi

“Aiming High for Highwood helps to drive awareness and connect our small business community to HPCF,” says Jim Hospodarsky, Highwood Alderperson and HPCF Liaison. “Gaining their support is extremely important as HPCF continues to fund organizations that directly impact Highwood residents. I am thrilled with the progress we’ve made and grateful for the success of this initiative so far.” Steve Schapiro, HPCF’s Director of Philanthropy, added, “The goal of this campaign is twofold: to raise awareness and to raise funds that can be reinvested in the community. With the generous gifts we’ve received, we will be able to provide grant funding to local organizations that benefit a large number of Highwood residents. These additional resources will help support residents in need, as the money raised will go back into the community through our annual grants.”

HPCF is honored to have received generous donations from a number of local Highwood businesses in support of the inaugural Aiming High for Highwood fundraising campaign. Thanks to their generosity, the Foundation will be able to further its mission of addressing unmet needs in the community. The growing list of businesses that have contributed includes 28 Mile Distilling, ABLAZE Design Group, Del Rio Restaurant, Anonymous, D’s Coffee Shop, Highwood American Legion, IC Signs & Graphics, JD Pizza (DBA Buffo’s), Law Offices of Diambri & Caravello, Maria’s Italian Bakery & Caffe, Joy & Lenny Innocenzi, Jerry’s Liquors, Pastificio, Sandy’s Restaurant, and The VITI Companies.

Several businesses that donated shared why they believed the campaign––and the Foundation as a whole––are essential to improving the lives of Highwood residents. “At ABLAZE Design Group, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting our future leaders. We are proud to contribute to the Aiming High for Highwood campaign, helping to provide opportunities for local students to thrive. As a family-owned business rooted in the Highland Park community, we are committed to giving back and fostering growth and success for the next generation,” said Ava Markoutsas one of the owners of the ABLAZE Design Group, which is co-owned by George Markoutsas and David Lipsky. Cory Hock, owner of IC Signs and Graphics, added, “As a small business owner of IC Signs & Graphics for the last 16 years, I know every dollar counts, and it’s foundations like Highland Park Community Foundation that go above and beyond expectations for our community! We are proud to support our community and its people!”

HPCF is deeply grateful for the donations from the Highwood business community, as well as for the generosity of a Highwood resident who provided a $2,500 matching gift. Their contributions will help address critical needs in the Highland Park–Highwood community. The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported this effort to date.