The Highland Park Community Foundation’s Gather for Good Benefit was a huge success. Approximately 300 attendees enjoyed the festivities. Residents, area business owners, civic leaders, and other HPCF supporters came together for an evening filled with cooking demonstrations, delicious bites, and sips featuring local chefs, and a surprise box raffle. Celebrity radio show host Melissa Forman of WLIT- FM 93.9 was the emcee for the event. Highland Park Councilman, Alyssa Knobel received the 2018 Jack Blane Community Service Award. Proceeds from the event and raffle will support the HPCF to help address the unmet needs of friends and neighbors in Highland Park and Highwood. The Gather for Good Event was co-chaired by Betsy Brint and Robyn Schuster.
Highland Park, IL – August 28, 2018: The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Golden Apple Award. Now in its ninth year of honoring excellence within the teaching profession in North Shore School District 112, the Golden Apple Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding teachers whose efforts demonstrate the impact that inspiring teaching has on children in the Highland Park/Highwood communities.
A party at a liquor store typically means headaches for the neighbors. Highland Park’s first annual “Gather for Good” celebration aims for the opposite — an evening of cooking demonstrations, food, drinks and a raffle to support community services that benefit Highland Park.
The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) will host the event on Sept. 14 at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Highland Park. WLIT 93.9 FM radio host Melissa Forman will emcee, and councilwoman Alyssa Knobel will receive the Jack Blane Community Service Award for her civic and charitable efforts. “We understand and care deeply about the needs of our neighbors,” HPCF Chairman Nancy Mills said.
Highland Park, IL – May 9, 2017: The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is pleased to announce the Highland Park Community Foundation Golden Apple Award recipient for 2018. This year’s deserving honoree is Jon Mall, Northwood Junior High 7th Grade Social Studies and Academic Exploration teacher.
Jon Mall changed his profession after 9/11 from a career in film and journalism to teaching. Teaching is his calling, and he feels as though he is a better person because of the children who touch him daily. Northwood Junior High is Jon’s home, and teaching is his passion. Throughout his teaching career, he has touched thousands of lives with this passion and with his outstanding teaching skills. Jon encourages his students to speak up, take risks, and push themselves to be the best that they can as they learn. The mantra on the wall in his classroom and his interactions with the students encourage every child walking into his room to: “Be Bold. Be Loud. Be Wrong.”
“Selecting Jon Mall as this year’s HPCF Golden Apple teacher is completely right,” said Sara Sher, HPCF Golden Apple Selection committee. “The Highland Park community is privileged to have exceptional teachers such as Jon guiding the next generation of Highland Park citizens. Through our recognition of deserving life-enhancing teachers, the Highland Park Community Foundation can celebrate the profoundly positive impact that their exemplary teaching has on the children of our community.”
In 2010, the Highland Park Community Foundation and a local family foundation initiated an annual Highland Park Golden Apple Award to recognize outstanding teachers in the Highland Park School systems. Nominations are made in a rotating cycle: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A selection committee, comprised of exemplary current and retired educators and administrators and former Golden Apple award recipients, evaluate the extensive application and complete a full day of observation. The final recipient of the award is chosen based on instruction, content knowledge, student and staff interaction, and contribution to school and community.
This year, nominations were accepted for full-time teachers in grades 6-8 in North Shore School District 112 who have completed at least four full years of teaching. The committee received excellent nominations, and after a rigorous and intensive review process, nominations were narrowed to three spectacular semi-finalists: Margaret Delligatti, Sarah Holsen, and Jon Mall.
The HPCF Golden Apple Selection Committee met this May to determine the 2018 recipient. Jon Mall receives a $2000 honorarium, a $500 gift card to Apple store, and a “Golden Apple” award.
All three of the semi-finalists will be honored publicly at the May 15 District 112 Board meeting. By honoring exceptional educators, the Foundation hopes to demonstrate the strength and importance of excellent teaching in helping young people reach their potential.
Highland Park, IL — December 4, 2017: The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has appointed Nancy Mills to the position of Chairman. Ms. Mills, an 8-year veteran of the Foundation board has served as Vice Chairman and co-chair of the Communications Committee.
“We are so fortunate to have Nancy, who is so capable and dedicated, at the helm of the Highland Park Community Foundation. I have had the pleasure of working with her as Vice-Chairman these past two years, and have seen her dynamic and strategic leadership style in action. She has a passion for the community and will work collaboratively with the community and Board to drive the Foundation toward its goals,” said Peter Flanzer, Chairman Emeritus of Highland Park Community Foundation.
Highland Park, IL – December 4, 2017: The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has appointed Nancy Mills to the position of Chairman. Ms. Mills, an 8-year veteran of the Foundation board has served as Vice Chairman and co-chair of the Communications Committee.
“We are so fortunate to have Nancy, who is so capable and dedicated, at the helm of the Highland Park Community Foundation. I have had the pleasure of working with her as Vice-Chairman these past two years, and have seen her dynamic and strategic leadership style in action. She has a passion for the community and will work collaboratively with the community and Board to drive the Foundation toward its goals,” said Peter Flanzer, Chairman Emeritus of Highland Park Community Foundation.
The Highland Park Community Foundation held its annual grant awards reception on October 18 at the Highland Park Community House.
The Foundation, established in 1992 to provide support and expand the services of social, cultural, and educational agencies in Highland Park and Highwood, awarded nearly $183,000, up almost 8% over last year, to 35 non-profit community agencies and programs.
“We are honored to be able to provide support to the wonderful organizations in the Highland Park and Highwood community that serve those in need and provide social, educational, and arts programs,” said Peter W. Flanzer, chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation. “The grants presented reflect the tireless efforts of those who generously work on behalf of others and are dedicated to the well-being of our community’s residents.”
HIGHLAND PARK/HIGHWOOD – After Terri Olian was appointed the first executive director of the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) by Chairman Peter Flanzer, she was so excited she wanted to shout out from Port Clinton Square, the center of downtown Highland Park.
But then it hit her.
“If you walk down the street and randomly ask 10 people do you know what the HPCF is, you wouldn’t find very many people who know what it is,” said Olian. “The fact that they don’t know about the foundation also leads me to believe they probably don’t know what the different organizations do — and they do a lot.”
The holidays came early for a handful of organizations on Oct. 18.
“I have a very big stack of checks here tonight,” Highland Park Community Foundation vice chairman Nancy Mills said as she stepped up to the podium at Wednesday’s grant awards reception. “This is the most fun part of the night for me—I get to give out all the money.”
