On June 4, 2023, runners will race to honor the victims of the Highland Park shooting and benefit impacted community members. The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is proud to be the charitable partner of the Highland Park Strong Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Run (or walk), formerly known as the North Shore Classic. One of the best in Chicago, the half marathon begins in downtown Highland Park and makes its way north past historic sites in Fort Sheridan before heading back to downtown HP. The 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk make a quick loop around the neighborhood. There is a virtual option for those who want to participate at a distance, and there will be a post-race celebration for participants as well as the entire community.

Ventures Endurance is known for producing unique races and athletic events that bring communities together in an active way. After nearly five decades of producing the North Shore Classic, Stuart Wall, Senior Director, Event Development & Operations at Ventures Endurance, says this year is “an inflection point” for the event in light of the Highland Park shooting. Reflecting on what makes this year’s race different from those in the past, he said, “we are enhancing the community atmosphere and participant experience by engaging more local partners, extending the post-race celebration, and creating meaningful connections with neighbors. We look forward to welcoming new runners and non-runners to the event and 1 Mile walk. We will also remember those impacted by the shooting.” Participants can raise money for the HPCF’s July 4th Recovery Fund, which will be distributed to local organizations dedicated to providing mental health, legal, and other services for impacted community members.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has recognized three well-deserving Highland Park High School teachers with 2020 HPCF Golden Apple Awards. This year’s honorees are Josh Chodoroff, HPHS Band Director; Nairy Hagopian, Spanish Teacher; and Katrina Tolemy, Special Education Essentials Teacher.

“The Highland Park Community Foundation is privileged to honor Josh, Nairy, and Katrina as the HPCF’s 2020 Golden Apple Recipients,” said Sara Sher, HPCF Golden Apple selection committee chair. “We want to recognize these exemplary teachers for the valuable work they do every day on behalf of the children in our community. The Highland Park Community Foundation celebrates these extraordinary individuals for their positive impact and their teaching in both the classroom and the virtual world.”

The Highland Park Community Foundation bolstered the work of 15 community agencies that assist Highland Park and Highwood residents with a fourth round of COVID-19 grants totaling $25,000.

With this round of emergency funding, the HPCF has now disbursed 55 grants, totaling close to $145,000, to community organizations that are dedicated to serving Highland Park and Highwood residents in need of emergency assistance during the pandemic.

Agencies benefiting from this additional round of grants include: A Safe Place, Center for Enriched Living, Cradles to Crayons, Family Focus Highland Park, Family Service of Lake County, Glenkirk, Gratitude Generation, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highwood Public Library, Jewish Council for Youth Services, Keshet, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Project Shop N’ Drop, The Josselyn Center, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recognized Cookie Anspach Kohn with the 2020 Jack Blane Community Service Award.

“We are thrilled to honor Cookie with the annual Jack Blane Community Service Award,” said David Reich, HPCF chairman. “Her dedication to service within our community along with her selfless efforts to improve the lives of others are inspiring and truly embody the spirit of this award.”

“To be recognized as this year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award recipient is an honor,” said Cookie Kohn. “I am extremely grateful to Jack Blane for his leadership and generosity and the friendship we shared. I am also so grateful to serve as a Highland Park Community Foundation Board member. I have learned so much from the organizations that provide critically needed services for Highland Park and Highwood residents.”

52 programs and services benefiting Highland Park/Highwood residents receive funding.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) announced its annual grants distribution for 2020. The Foundation awarded $512,550 in grants to support 52 programs and services provided by local nonprofits to assist and enrich the lives of Highland Park and Highwood residents.

This year’s grants were funded primarily by contributions from the community in support of the Foundation’s annual fundraising efforts, with additional funds coming from the Foundation’s endowment fund. The remaining $50,000 was funded by a grant from the City of Highland Park.

“We’re proud to provide such a significant amount of grant funding to address unmet needs of our community. This year’s allocation more than doubled the amount of funding distributed in 2019 ($225,00), which was our previous high,” said David Reich, chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation.

We certainly do love to partner with everyone – organizations, individuals, and businesses, and others – who help our community! The first quote was not exactly right, however, the Rotary Club matched the HPCF’s grant that was provided to support Operation Warm’s efforts to ensure all children in our community have coats to make it though the winter – a basic need of many Highland Park and Highwood children that would otherwise have been unmet.

The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield gifted new winter coats to children in need earlier this month, providing 250 of them to students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade at North Shore School District 112.

The district serves Highwood and Highland Park.

“Our club believes a brand new coat is more than a coat, and offers a child physical and emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed and hope of a brighter future,” said Rich Lalley, secretary/treasurer of the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield.

Lalley said the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette, Wilmette Harbor, Glencoe and Lake Forest-Lake Bluff supported this outreach with cash contributions.

First Bank of Highland Park has joined the Highland Park Community Foundation’s Corporate Champion Program.

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) welcomes First Bank of Highland Park to its Corporate Champion Program. Corporate Champion Program. Launched in 2020, the HPCF’s Corporate Champion Program provides the opportunity for all businesses to become philanthropic partners in helping to address the needs of the Highland Park/Highwood community and expand opportunities for all residents.

First Bank of Highland Park became a Corporate Champion by pledging a 5-year financial commitment to support the Foundation’s work and joins the Foundation in its efforts to enhance the quality of life for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) welcomes Highland Park Bank & Trust to its Corporate Champion Program.

The HPCF’s Corporate Champion Program is an exceptional opportunity for all businesses to become philanthropic partners in helping to address the needs of the Highland Park/Highwood community and expand opportunities for all residents.

Highland Park Bank &Trust has pledged a 5-year financial commitment to support the Foundation’s work. This newest member of the Corporate Champion program joins the Foundation in its efforts to enhance the quality of life for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.

“We are delighted that Highland Park Bank & Trust has joined us as a Corporate Champion. Their multi-year support will provide us with reliable resources to address unmet needs in our community and enrich the lives of all residents,” said Betsy Brint, Vice Chairman, Highland Park Community Foundation.

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) welcomes Banner Kitchen & Bath, a respected industry leader since 1946, to the HPCF Corporate Champion Program.

The HPCF Corporate Champion Program, launched in 2020, was created to develop relationships with businesses and build long-term partnerships that will help the HPCF address unmet needs of and expand opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. The HPCF awards grants on an annual basis to nonprofits and agencies that provide a wide range of programs and services for the youngest to the oldest members of our community. Donations to the HPCF through its Corporate Champion Program will help ensure the HPCF has the financial resources it needs to support these programs.

The Highland Park Community Foundation has released an additional $25,000 in emergency funds to help Highland Park and Highwood residents who are still suffering from the impacts of COVID-19.

Since the March 2020 launch of the HPCF’s Emergency Response Appeal, the foundation has provided six rounds of emergency grants. The total disbursement to nonprofits who support residents’ needs has now reached nearly $200,000, distributed through 90 grants.