Highland Park Neighbors Magazine Articles

Gather with friends and neighbors on Friday, September 20, at Highland Park Community Foundation’s fifth annual Gather for Good celebration! The event kicks off at 6:30 PM at Binny’s Beverage Depot, 153 Skokie Valley Highway, Highland Park. Funds raised from this festive event will further the Foundation’s mission of addressing unmet needs and expanding opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.

“The evening brings together many incredible individuals from our community to celebrate the support nonprofits provide for our Highland Park and Highwood residents. It’s a terrific night that helps to bolster the resources of the Foundation to enable it to support these amazing organizations. We are also building on the success of our past events and highlighting more of the wonderful local restaurants that truly make our community special, so we hope everyone who can possibly make it will join us!” said Caroline Mead, Gather for Good CoChair.

Gather for Good 2023

In addition to raising funds for the Foundation’s annual grants, the event raises awareness about the vital work of the Foundation and honors exceptional service to the community through the Jack Blane Community Service Award. “Jack Blane was a very honored board member, one of the founding members of the Foundation, a tremendous community service advocate, and a generous donor. The award honors him by celebrating an individual or organization we feel is following in his footsteps to better the lives of everyone in the community,” stated Laurie Levin, Foundation Board Chair.

This year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award recipient is Pablo Alvarez, a long-time Highland Park resident and Highland Park High School guidance counselor. Pablo’s commitment to his community extends far beyond the reach of the high school, although he has had a tremendous impact on students’ lives there. As a Moraine Township trustee, he works closely with families and other members of the community, helping to address needs in the areas of food insecurity and emergency relief. Pablo is also the Board Chair of Josselyn, where he helps to bring accessible mental health services to people throughout 300 different local communities. “Pablo was also a member of the Together Highland Park Unidos Committee, which was dedicated to providing funds for those impacted most by the Highland Park shooting and spent countless hours translating applications and ensuring that the process ran smoothly. He has a pure heart and a unique talent for bringing out the best in people. We’re excited and honored to recognize Pablo Alvarez as the recipient of this year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award,” added Laurie.

Pablo Alvarez

Foundation Board members are currently reviewing 68 annual grant applications totaling over $1.18 million in funding requests. All of the funds raised through Gather for Good will be used for the grants the Board will award this year to nonprofits that help community members in numerous ways. “Every year, we see an increase in the number of grant applicants, but we also see an increase in the dollar amount we can award. The funds raised from this event—with everyone’s assistance, dedication, and generosity—will allow us to award critical funds to address the needs of residents,” said Sofia Alvarez, Gather for Good Co-Chair, when reflecting on the importance of this annual event to both the Foundation and the community as a whole.

HPCF’s annual Gather for Good celebration is a fun night for mingling and coming together as a community. Close to 25 local establishments will provide delicious food and drinks – Tastes of the Town – highlighting the number of amazing culinary options available in our community. The Foundation Board thanks in advance: 28 Mile Distilling, Abigail’s, Backyard Grill, BellaRu Catering, Bent Fork Bakery, Binny’s Beverage Depot, Bluegrass, Bright Bowls, Carol’s Cookies, Central Café, Disotto, Indus, Judy’s Pizza, La Plancha Loca, Long Grove Confectionery Co., Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar, Once Upon A Bagel, Pixca, Sugar Coated, Tamales…A Mexican Joint, The Claim Company, The Chunky Scone, and Viaggio-Highland Park. With restaurants still signing on, there will be even more at the event!

The Foundation is exceptionally grateful for all the hard work and time Maya RotmanZaid, founder of BellaRu Catering, has dedicated to coordinating the food and beverages for this year’s event. BellaRu Catering was established in 2017 and, since 2020, has distributed – for free – over 7 million pounds of food to help community members in need. The Foundation is proud to partner with Maya on this venture, and Maya is excited to see the local establishments coming together to support Gather for Good. “The Highland Park and Highwood restaurant community has really banded together in this last year, and we all strongly believe in the Foundation and its mission—that’s why we’re here giving back to the community in whatever way we can!” said Maya.

Gather for Good 2023

In addition to all the wonderful food and drinks, Gather for Good includes a silent auction and raffle with exciting individual and bundled prizes, many with values of $1,000 and up, that will appeal to everyone! These range from a Highland Park Fire Department ride to school and a Highland Park Police Department adult ride-along to sports and entertainment tickets; jewelry; special event packages; artistic, recreational, and dining opportunities; health and wellness services; portrait photography; home goods; and more, donated by over 70 local businesses.

Over 100 individuals and businesses have committed to event sponsorships, recognizing the difference their support makes for residents throughout the Highland Park-Highwood community. The Foundation hopes to increase that number in the coming weeks to maximize the event’s success and the good that can be accomplished through giving where you live.

Gather for Good is a night for Highland Park and Highwood residents to gather, learn about the Foundation’s work and impact on the community, honor community members, and help further the Foundation’s goal of improving the quality of life for all. For more information about donations, tickets, and how to add you or your business’s name to our list of sponsors please visit hpcfil.org/events/gather-for-good!