Every year, RNRA provides financial and promotional support to non-profits doing incredible work in our neighborhood.
This year, our “adopted” charities include Friends of the Parks, Gilda’s Club, Friends of the Chicago River, The Anti-Cruelty Society, The Chicago Help Initiative, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and Ignite the Spirit.
Friends of the Chicago River
River North’s boundaries include the Chicago River on the south and the west. Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River system. Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
Friends of the Chicago River
121 W. Wacker Drive - Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601
312-939-0490
www.chicagoriver.org
Chicago Help Intitiative
Every Wednesday evening, The Chicago Help Initiative (CHI) gathers at the dining hall at 721 North La Salle Street to serve a warm meal on white-clothed tables to 130 guests in a safe and dignified setting. An additional 70 individuals receive a bag meal to go. The nutritious and delicious food is provided by local restaurants and hotels from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and River North areas.
CHI serves food, but we also serve information, compassion and guidance.
Before dinner, a speaker from a local organization gives a brief presentation, typically on resources on finding temporary shelter, housing, medical care or job training. During the meal, guests share fellowship and, when possible, enjoy the sounds of a local piano player, singer or musical ensemble.
While at the meal with CHI, guests also have an opportunity to visit resource tables staffed with volunteers who maintain listings on a wide variety of services, including shelter, legal aid, medical care and job opportunities. CHI partners with local service agencies to provide the needed information. Furthermore, guests are given an opportunity to participate with several ongoing programs after dinner, including literacy, gardening, art classes, smoking cessation and bicycle repair.
It is CHI’s mission to assist our guests in bettering their lives and becoming contributing members of the community once again. CHI is very much a local organization, drawing our support from the residents and businesses that surround us. We have only one paid staff person supported by interns, but every meal is served with upwards of 25 volunteers. We are an organization that succeeds by leveraging existing partnerships and resources.
The Chicago Help Initiative
440 N. Wells St.
Suite 440
Chicago, Illinois 60654
www.chicagohelpinitiative.org
Gilda's Club Chicago
Dear Friend,
Welcome to Gilda's Club Chicago. If you or someone you know has cancer, this site will introduce you to a program of social and emotional support that is unique in the City of Chicago. Men, women and children diagnosed with cancer and their familes and friends are always welcome here. And all of our activities are absolutely free.
Gilda's Club, located at 537 North Wells Street, is a warm and exceptional place. After traveling through our site…our virtual clubhouse…I invite you to visit the real thing. Our door is always open!
Laura Jane Hyde
Chief Executive Officer
Gilda's Club Chicago
537 North Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois 60654
312-464-9900
www.gildasclubchicago.org
Friends of the Parks
Friends of the Parks (FOTP) is a 501(c)(3) designated park advocacy organization, dedicated to preserving, protecting, and improving Chicago's parks and forest preserves for all citizens. Since 1975, FOTP has increased its private and public commitment to Chicago's parks through establishing park advisory councils, developing new parks, renovating playlots, and presenting public workshops and lectures to create and informed citizenry.
Friends of the Parks' Mission is to preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of Chicago parks, forest preserves and recreational areas for the benefit of all neighborhoods and citizens.
Friends of the Parks
17 North State Street, Suite 1450
Chicago, Illinois 60602-3315
312-857-2757
www.fotp.org
Anti-Cruelty
Anti-Cruelty exists to prevent cruelty to animals and to advance humane education.
Since 1899, Anti-Cruelty has been committed to serving the needs of companion animals and the humans who care for–and about–them.
Since 1999, the beginning of our second century of caring, we have found loving permanent homes for more than 40,000 pets, spayed or neutered more than 61,000 animals and taught messages of compassion and caring for the animals to more than 225,000 school-aged children and community groups.
Anti-Cruelty Society
157 W. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 644-8338
www.anticruelty.org
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The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and Get Behind the Vest
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to honoring the lives of our fallen Chicago Police heroes. The Foundation provides support and financial assistance to the families of Chicago Police Officers who were killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty. We have already completed (and now maintain) the nation’s finest police memorial in Gold Star Families Memorial and Park located on our lakefront. Now the Mission Beyond the Memorial continues the tradition of loyalty and generosity of the Chicago Police Department and focuses on the needs of the men and women of this great department, and their families.
GET BEHIND THE VEST
The Bullet Proof Vest
A vest isn’t bulletproof forever. It wears out. It breaks down. It needs to be replaced every 5 years. And just one bullet permanently damages a vest, making it unusable. Chicago police officers are responsible for replacing their own vests. At $500 or more per vest, in addition to other equipment and uniform expenses, the costs can quickly add up. That’s why we need your help. Your donation ensures that every officer out there protecting you is protected.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has extended the Get Behind the Vest Program to supply vests to Chicago Police K9 Officers. We are now protecting the K9’s who protect our Officers!
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation
1407 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 499-8899
www.CPDmemorial.org
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Ignite the Spirit Fund - Chicago
Support Your Firefighters
Are you looking for a way to give back to those who selflessly serve our community? Look no further than Ignite The Spirit. As a charity established by the Chicago Fire Department, we provide crucial funding and resources to our brothers and sisters in need, as well as to our community as a whole. Through a variety of fundraising events and donations, we've been able to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. And now, you too can get involved in this impactful effort. Whether you choose to volunteer your time, attend one of our upcoming events, or make a tax-deductible donation, every contribution makes a meaningful impact. Join us in supporting our local heroes and our community today.
Join us in making a real impact in the lives of Chicago Fire Department families. For nearly 20 years, Ignite the Spirit has provided support to over 800 families in need, and with your help, we can continue to make a difference. We understand the importance of giving back to those who sacrifice so much to protect and serve our community. To date, our donors have contributed over 2.0 million dollars to help ease the hardship of these families. With your support, we can ensure that no family is left behind. Join Ignite the Spirit today and be a part of something truly meaningful. None of this would be possible without your generosity.
Order your copy of the 2025 Calendar today for only $10! Support your Firefighters!
PURCHASE HERE
Ignite the Spirit Fund
6400 N. Northwest Hwy - Unit 402
Chicago, IL 60631
www.ignitethespirit.org
