www.almosthomekids.org Spring/Summer20131

OnMay20,AlmostHomeKids’wastransformedintoamoviesetwhenavideocrewcameintoshootoneofourveryspecialchildren,LaurenGross.

Nostrangertothespotlight,LaurenwaschosenbyAHKstafftorepresentAlmostHomeKidsinavideopresentationforInternationalChildren’sDay,whichiscelebratedworldwideonJune2.TheorganizersoftheChicagoeventcommemoratingthisspecialdaycreatedavideotobeshownwithchildrenalloverourareathatreadoneoftheChildren’sRightsandResponsibilitiesStatementsdevelopedbyUNICEF.

Laurenisverymuchatypicalteenager—shelovesTwilight,shecan’twaitforthepromandgraduation,andsherecentlygotherfillofthelimelightwhensheperformedasoloinherschoolchoirconcert.Althoughsherequiresaventilatorandspecializedcare,shehasalreadyachievedmanymilestonesinheryounglife.

LaurenspeaksthroughauniquedevicecalledMyTobii,whichrecognizesLauren’seyemovementsaslettersandtypesthoselettersout,givingLaurentheabilitytocommunicatewithothers.WhatisLauren’sfavoritethingtosay?“LaurenGrossisAwesome”.Wecouldn’tagreemore.Congratulationstooursoon-to-behighschoolgraduate!

Lauren Gross is awesome!

HomeNewsSpring/Summer 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

CoverStory 1Lauren Gross

OurSupporters 2Angel Wheels Jen Sherrill Jeff Zimmermann Donor Spotlight: Ann Jackson

OurEvents 4An Evening at the Derby Raise the Rent Upcoming Events

OurCommunity 6Holiday Giving Volunteers of the Quarter Corporate/Community Groups First Things First–Gifts of Stock Our Needs: Wish List

Lauren is ready for Prom, pictured with AHK Nurses Dani and Nick

2

Our Supporters

Angel Wheels – Transporting HopeSometimestraumaticeventscanbeblessingsindisguise.AtthesametimeSteveWozniakwaslaidofffromhisjob,hismomsufferedastroke.Whilecaringforhismother,Stevelearnedthattherearemanyobstaclesandinadequaciesinthetransportationofthosewhoarewheelchairbound,andaftermuchthoughtandresearch,heandhiswifeElizabethdecidedtostarttheirownbusiness.ThisishowAngelWheelsbeganservingthoseinneedthroughcompassionateandcustomizedtransportationwithasmile.

ItwashappenstancethatLayenieAnderson,AlmostHomeKids’DirectorofCaseManagement,sawtheAngelWheelsvanonthestreetanddecidedtocontactthemtoseeiftheywouldbeabletoservethechildrenatAlmostHomeKids.TheygladlyacceptedLayenie’sinvitationtomeetandtolearnmoreaboutAlmostHomeKids’needforspecializedtransportationandwereeagertohelpinanywaythattheycould.Sincethatinitialmeeting,AngelWheelshas

transportedmorethan20childrenfromAlmostHomeKids.TheyalsoprovidetransportationtoandfromAHK’schildren’sannualChristmaspartyeveryyear.

SteveandElizabetharetrulypassionateabouttheircommitmenttothechildrenandfamilieswhoutilizetheirservice.Intheirownwords,“WeareblessedtohaveasmallroleintheservicethatAlmostHomeKidsprovides.Eachchildissuchablessingandauniquegift!Whiletheyallhavemanymedicalchallengesandneeds,ithasbeenajoygettingtoknowthemandtheirfamilies.Itisespeciallyfuntointeractwiththekidsandtrytofindwaystogetthemtolaugh”.Forexample,theyfondlyrecallteachingatwoyearoldgirlhowtohonklikeagooseorexposingoneofourteenagerstoclassicalmusicforthefirsttime.

AngelWheelsprovidessomuchmorethanjustaridefromplacetoplace:theyareanintegralpartofthecontinuumofcareforchildrenandfamilieswhofaceincrediblechallenges.

Resident Pilgrim. Finding Home.

“Ultreia!”ThisancientGalicianwordmeaning“walkon”isgraffitiedallalongthepathsacrossnorthernSpain.Lastsummer,asIplacedonefootinfrontoftheotherinordertoeventuallycover600milesontheCaminodeSantiago,Idiscoveredjoyinthesimplebeautyoftheearth.Throughoutthisjourney,Ifoundmyselfhumbledbythechanceblessingsinmylifethatallowedmeto“walkon.”

WhenIwasachildIhadalittlesister.Shewaslovelyandfornearlyayear,myfamilywasgiventimetoloveher,learnfromher,andtolivebothwithandwithouther.Lifewasfilledwithchaos,whitehospitals,bleachsmells,irregularbeepsandafamilythatdidn’tknowhowtocope.However,yearslaterasIwalkedthroughtheChicagodoorsof“AlmostHomeKids,”Isawanotherpossibilityforfamilieslikemine.Isawrefuge,love,laughter,hope,calm,andnormalcy.IsawanorganizationthatIdesperatelywantedtosupport.So,itwasnotadifficultstretchtocombinemyloveofwalkingandmydesiretohelp,bysettinga1000milewalkinggoalfollowingtheancientViaFrancigenatoRome,whilegleefullycoaxingfriendsandfamilytosponsormymileageforalloftheyoungangelsatAlmostHomeKids!MuchloveandUltreia!!–Jennifer Sherrill

www.crookedwindmills.blogspot.com

www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/1000milesorbust/hiketosaintpeter1000milesorbust

www.almosthomekids.org Spring/Summer20133

SupercoolChicagoartistJeffZimmermanncametousthroughourpartnershipwiththeMerchandiseMart.HehasbeengenerousenoughtocreateanoriginalpieceofartthatnowhangsinthelobbyofourChicagofacility.Jeffhasachievednationalandinternationalrecognitionforhislargescalemuralswhichfeaturepaintedimagesofcontemporarypopcultureandforhissensitivelyrenderedportraits.ThoughthepiecehecreatedforAHKisabitofadeparturefromhisusualstyle,ithasthesamewow-factor.Thelakeandsky-scapedepictedinhismuralhascompletelytransformedthelobbyonthe6thflooratAHKChicago,andweareextremelygratefultoJeffforhisamazinggift.

“It’sawonderfulfeelingtoknowthatmyhumbletalentscanhelpbringsomesmilestothefolksatAHK.Andthechancetosharesomecreativityforareallygreatprogramisalwayswelcome!Whowouldn’tenjoypaintingawarmcloudysunriseoverthelake?”commentedZimmermann.“IimaginethekidshavebeenintoomanyroomsandhallwayspreviouslyandexpectthattheseascapepresentsthemwithfaroffhorizonsandopenspacewhentheyfirstarriveatAHK.It’smypleasuretofeelalittlebitlikeI’mpartoftheteam!”

Donor Spotlight: Ann Jackson

AnnJacksonandherfamilyhavebeenabigpartoftheAlmostHomeKidsfamilyoverthepasttwoholidayseasons.AnnhassomuchpassionfortheAlmostHomeKids’missionandhastakenthatpassionandspreadittoherfriendsandfamily.Forthepasttwoyears,shehassolicitedthemforChristmasgiftsforthechildrenwhoarewithusonChristmasDay.LikeSanta,shegetsawishlistfromusforeachofthechildrenandshopsforindividualgiftswiththemoneyherfriends&familyhavedonatedtoAnn’sHolidayDonationDrive.AnnalsoworkswithourCommunityOutreachCoordinator(Lisa)toplanaholidaypartywhereSantaandtwoofhiselvesvisitanddistributegiftstothechildrenatbothofourlocations.Thisisalwaysaspecialday!Andshedoesn’tstopthere.InadditiontoensuringeachofourchildrenhaveagiftonChristmasDaytoopen,AnnalsomakessureourclinicalstaffandfamiliesthatareonsiteonChristmasEvehaveahotdeliciousmealtoeat,complimentsofherfamily.WelookforwardtosharingtheChristmasspiritwithAnnandherfamilyformanyyears.

Creative Philanthropy

From Left: Jeff Zimmermann in his Chicago Studio. Donna Corbat (GLP), Jeff Zimmermann, Gary Lee (GLP) and Debbie Grisko (AHK)

4

Our Events

Thehatswereimpressive,thebourbonwasflowing,andeveryhorsewasawinnerwhenwetransformedAshtonPlaceinWillowbrooktoanunforgettable“EveningattheDerby”.Asguestssippedmintjulepsandviewedtheexclusivesilentauction,theywereentertainedbytheWaubonsieValleyTri-MSocietyandbyABC7’sTracyButler,whoemceedtheevent.

EventChairBethanyKeownandherfabulouscommitteecertainlylookedthepartanddidanamazingjobplanningandorchestratinganeveningtoberemembered!Alltheirmonthsofdedicationcertainlypaidoffasover350oldandnewfriendsofAlmostHomeKidscametogetherforafestiveandprofitableeventwhichraisedmorethan$113,000forAHKNaperville.MarionValle,wastheauctioneeranddidafantasticjobalongsideTracy[Butler]tohelpraisefundsthroughtheliveauctionandfundaneed.

Congratulationsgototheevening’sawardees“SharetheCareChampion”RepresentativePatriciaR.Bellock,“VolunteerExtraordinaire”MichaelG.Busseand“DistinguishedDonor”LexisNexis.

An Evening at the Derby

A special thank you to our Event Sponsors:

NEUCO

FirstUnitedMethodistChurchofDownersGrove

CommunityBankofDownersGrove

Ann&RobertLurieChildren’sHospital/CadenceHealth

Compusystems

DeltaDental

MullarkeyAssociates

OakleyHomeBuilders

VeritasRiskServices

And Generous In-Kind Donors:

BolingbrookSigns

ChrisStoneGovernmentalConsultingSolutions

D&BGraphics

DanielleShannon–AllThingsCreative

JimBeam

MarkSaundersPhotography

RosemountEstate

RWAdvertising

SonomaCountyVintners

TheMeetingHouse

YourNightProductions

www.almosthomekids.org Spring/Summer20135

Upcoming EventsJune 2, 2013:Celebration of Life JoinincelebrationoftheliveswehavelostattheAHKNapervilleSerenityGarden.From12:00PM–2:00PM,allAHKfamilies,friendsandstaffarewelcome.

June 27, 2013: Summer Soirée AlmostHomeKidsinvitesyoutothewaterfrontforacasualsoiréeattheColumbiaYachtClub.Joinusforgreatfoodanddrinkinanunforgettablelocation.Ticketsare$100andareonsalenowatalmosthomekids.org

October 13, 2013: Team AHK for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Nothingsaysdedicationlikerunning26.2milesforthechildrenandfamiliesofAlmostHomeKids.JoinourTeamandmakeyourmilesmakeadifference!

October 25, 2013: Share the Care Ball Savethedatefortheeventoftheyear!Youareinvitedtodine,danceandbedelightedatTheDrakeforoursecondannualblacktiegalainsupportofAHKChicago.

AlmostHomeKidswasthrilledtobringoursignaturecompassionatecareinahome-likesettingtoawholenewcommunitythisfallthroughtheopeningofourChicagohomeat211E.GrandAvenue.Thisnewfacilityhasalreadyalloweddozensofchildrenandtheirparentstoexperiencethecomfortsofhomeastheytransitionoutofthehospital.ButChicagorealestatedoesn’tcomecheap…eachmonthofoperatingAHKChicagocostsmorethan$17,000.

BecauseofthetirelesseffortsofourChicagoBoardofDirectors,theChicagobusinesscommunityhasembracedAlmostHomeKidsandstrategizedcreativewaystomeetthesenewexpenses.Severalcorporationshaveplannedfunteam-buildingeventsthatnotonlyraisesignificantfundsforAlmostHomeKids,butalsoraisecamaraderieandcompetitionamongstitsemployees,andsometimesitsbusinessrivals!It’strulyawin-win!BelowarejustafewexamplesofhowcompaniesorgroupscanparticipateintheAlmostHomeKids“RaisetheRent”campaign:

■ �PlanaCompany“Bowl-A-Thon”-typicallytheseeventsraise$15,000!PricewaterhouseCoopersandJPMorganChasebothraisedmorethan$20,000!

■ �Schedulea“JeansDay”(orweek,ormonth,likeourfriendsatCareerbuilder!).

■ �“RunforaCause”–participateina5K,10KormoreandsignupwithAHKtohavefriendsandfamilysupportyourrunbyraisingmoneyforourchildrenwhoaremedicallyfragile.

■ �Createyourowngoalorcelebration(likeJenSherrill!)andhaveyourfriendsandfamilysupportAHKinhonorofyourmilestone.

■ �AdoptAlmostHomeKidsasa“CharityBeneficiary”foryourcompanyorassociation,likeourfriendsattheDesignCenteratMerchandiseMartandInternationalFacilitiesManagementAssociation(IFMA)–ChicagoChapter.

We make it easy.AlmostHomeKidswillprovideyouwithfundraisingeventmaterialsincludingawebsite,venuelistsandhow-toeventplanningtipstomaketheprocessforyounearlyeffortless!AccordingtoRyanMurphy,eventorganizerfromPricewaterhouseCoopers,“thebowlingeventgaveusachancetocometogetherasateam,andalsostayedtruetoourvalueofbeingabusinessleaderinthecommunity.WesecuredthevenueandAHKsetupthewebsite.Theprocesswasreallyeasy.”Tolearnmoreabouthowyou,yourcompanyoryourgroupcanhelpAHK“raisetherent”,contactJudithMcLeanatjmclean@almosthomekids.orgorcall312.399.0013.

Raise the Rent

6

We asked and you responded…

Theflowersarebloomingandthegrassisturninggreenoncemore,butnotlongagowhenthesnowwasfalling,wehadanoutpouringofsupportovertheholidaysthatourchildren,families&staffareverygratefulfor.Santawasverygoodtousthisyear:manyorganizationsandindividualslentusassistancebypurchasingChristmasgiftsforthechildrenateachofourfacilitiesaswellasassistedwithourfamilyChristmaspartywhichisheldforthefamiliesofchildrenwhohavestayedwithusoverthepast2years.Someoftheorganizationsthatprovidedtheseawesomegiftsorgiftcardsinclude:Brinks,Hofer,Gilson&Lione(Chicago)andtheYomechasIndianGuidesFederation(DownersGrove),AnnJacksonfamily(Manhattan),Rhonda&EricJacksonfamily(Bolingbrook),Bethany&BradKeownfamily,St.Peter&PaulOrthodoxChurch(BurrRidge),theCollegeofDuPage(GlenEllyn)andthemanydonorswhoanonymouslysentgiftsfromAmazon.com.

BoththeNaperville&ChicagositeswereabletoexperiencethefullholidayseasonwithbeautifuldecorationsanddeliciousfoodthroughoutthemonthofDecemberthankstoavarietyofgroups.WewouldliketothankthemanyvolunteergroupsthatmadetheholidaysspecialforourAlmostHomeKidsfamiliesandstaffincluding:HeritageHarley-Davidson(Lisle),NorthwesternMemorialHospitalMedicalExplorersProgram(Chicago),MandyHurstfamily(Chicago),HopeOrnaments(Grayslake),DaisyTroop#50925(DownersGrove),PaPa’sPizza(Woodridge),FoodForThought(Chicago)&AdventistMidwestManagementServices(Bolingbrook).

ThankstoeveryonewhohelpedbringsmilestothefacesatAlmostHomeKidsthisseason.Weareprivilegedtohaveyouasfriendsandsupportersofourmission.

Our Community

Volunteers of the Quarter AlmostHomeKidsreliesonover500volunteerseachyeartohelpsupportourmission.WhiletheyareallanintegralpartofthedailyfunctioningofAHK,afewofourvolunteersstandoutamongstthegroup.Thatiswhywechoosea“VolunteeroftheQuarter”andacknowledgethemwithasmallgiftcardinappreciationfortheirdedicationandcompassion.

OurCommunityOutreachCoordinatorwaseagertorecognizeAlex GliwainNovemberforhiscontinuouscontributionsvolunteeringtobetheofficial“Handyman”forourNapervillesite.Alexhastackledsomanydifferentprojectsforusandcompletedthemwithextraordinaryexpertise,oftenusinghisownresourcestocompletetheprojects.

WewereequallyexcitedtoawardMandy HursttheVolunteeroftheQuarterawardinFebruary.MandywasoneofourfirstvolunteersinChicagotocometoaVolunteerOrientationwhenweopenedandshehasn’tlookedback!Shehasbeenamazingwithourchildrenandstaff.Shelovestoreadtoourchildrenandholdthebabieswiththechildren’sfaceslightingupeverytimetheyseeorhearhervoice.NotonlyhasshededicatedweeklyvisitstoourchildrenbutshealsomadesignificantcontributionstoourSharetheCareBallandtotheChicagositeatChristmastime.

Wearefortunatetohavethesetwoindividualsvolunteeringwithusto“SharetheCare”.

www.almosthomekids.org Spring/Summer20137

Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione corporate partnership

AlmostHomeKidscouldnotachieveourmissionwithoutthecontinualsupportofourcooperatefriends.ShortlyafterourGrandOpeninginSeptember,InternationalFacilitiesManagementAssociation(IFMA)ChicagochoseAlmostHomeKidsasitscharitablepartnerfor2013and2014.TheCommunityServiceCommitteeofIFMAwhichprovidesmembersupporttonon-profitorganizationsisco-chairedbyMarkGuzzino&GeoffreyDeLuccaandwehaveMarktothankforbringingourorganization’smissiontotheCommittee.Alreadythisyear,IFMAsponsoredits13thAnnualCharityBowl-A-ThoninMayanddonatedtheproceedstoAlmostHomeKids.

ThroughourconnectionswiththeChicagoChapterofIFMAwewereveryfortunatetomeetJerryDiCola,whocurrentlyservesastheirVicePresident.JerryistheDirectorofFacilitiesforBrinks,Hofer,Gilson&Lione(Chicago)anditdidnottakelongbeforetheemployeesatBrinksHofer,Gilson&Lionewereembracingourmissionandaskinghowtheycouldhelp.Theydonatedanincredibleamountofawesometoysforourannualholidaypartyandreallymadetheseasonmemorableforourchildrenandfamilies.MargieSteirerhascoordinatedaninternalcommitteewithBrinks,Hofer,Gilson&Lioneemployeesanditismakingplanstosupportourneedsthroughouttheyear.AdeliciousmealfortheclinicalstaffonThanksgivingwascoordinatedandprovidedbythisenergeticcommitteeandtheyhaveorganizeda“DiaperDrive”inwhichtheycollected3000diapersonourbehalf.ThisspringtheysteppedupagainanhelpeduskickoffNationalNursesWeekinChicagobyprovidingacateredlunch&goodiebagsandfunraffleitemsfortheclinicalstaff.Itisagoodfeelingtoknowwehavethisamazinggroupavailabletocallon.Inaddition,someoftheiremployeeshavebecomerecreationalvolunteersatourChicagolocationontheirlunchhoursorafterwork.Weareverythankfulfortheseconnectionsandlookforwardtoalongpartnershipaswe“sharethecare”.

First Things First

LateinDecember2012,AlmostHomeKidsreceivedadelightfulphonecallfromasecuritiesbroker.AnanonymousdonorintendedtodonatesharesofUnitedParcelService(UPS)stock.ThiswasthefirsttimeadonorhadrememberedAlmostHomeKidsinthisthoughtfulway.Afterthestockwassold,AHKwasabletoputseveralthousanddollarstowarditsmission.

AlmostHomeKidsacceptsandencouragesgiftofsecuritieswithmarketvalue.Appreciatedstockisalmostalwaysamoretax-wisewaytocontributethancash.Stockgiftssaveintwoways:Youreceiveanincometaxdeductionforthefullmarketvalueofthestockandyouavoidpayingthecapitalgainstaxesontheappreciatedportionofthestocksvaluethatwouldbedueifyousoldit.Toavoidgainstaxes,thestockmustbeheld“long-term”,whichgenerallymeansmorethanayear.Andremember:thestockmustbedonateddirectlytothecharity,ratherthanbeingsoldbytheowner,inordertoavoidthecapitalgainstax.

Ifyouareinterestedinmakingagiftofstock,pleasecontactRaeannOlsen-Jackson,ChiefDevelopmentOfficer,at630.786.1765orrjackson@almosthomekids.org.

Theinformationinthisnewsletterisnotintendedaslegaladvice.Forlegaladvice,pleaseconsultanattorney.

AHK Chicago � UDraw-Game Tablet-Studio-Nintendo� iPad

AHK Naperville � 84"couchforplayroom (neutralcolor)� 7–32"TV/DVDcombos withswivelarm� 9–6'tracklighting,6heads� HamiltonBuhlRollingFlatPanel TVStand� UDraw-Game Tablet-Studio-Nintendo� iPad

Supplies Wish List � Firstclasspostagestamps� Papertowels� Handsanitizer� Babywipesunscentedor forsensitiveskin� Diapers� Gloves � Giftcardsinanyamountarehelpful� Colorfulfittedcribsheets� Bathsheetsandwashcloths� BoxesofKleenex � Rubbermaidstoragebins� Sensorysmalltoys&books� Highchairs

Our Needs: Wish List

7South721Route53Naperville,IL60540

Our mission at Almost Home Kids is to provide transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs, training for their families and respite care.

“Like”usonFacebookfordailyAlmostHomeKidsupdates!

Key Staff: DeborahGrisko,RN,PresidentandCEO

Administrative:DorothyGieren,ChiefFinancialOfficerRaeannOlsen-Jackson,ChiefDevelopmentOfficerJudithMcLean,DirectorofMarketing&CommunicationsGailLinhart,DirectorofOperationsLisaSnow,CommunityOutreachCoordinatorLizaLarsen,CoordinatorofSpecialEventsandStrategicDevelopment

Clinical:KathyStegman,DirectorofNursingCarrieAlden,ChiefClinicalProgramDevelopmentOfficerLayenieAnderson,DirectorofCaseManagementCherieStellman,CaseManagerDainaHalstead,CaseManager

Writers, Editors and Key Contributors: LizaLarsen,RaeannOlsen-Jackson,JudithMcLean,LisaSnow,andJenniferSherrill

Contactusat630.271.9155orvisitourwebsiteatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org