“COMMUNITY TREES” DISPLAY OPENS AT McCORMICK MUSEUM NOVEMBER 25 Seven area nonprofits to participate in fifth annual holiday event for charity Wheaton — The Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park invites visitors to a special holiday attraction honoring Colonel McCormick’s philanthropic legacy. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 25, the McCormick Museum will feature seven “Community Trees,” each decorated for Christmas by a different local nonprofit organization. The area charities were invited to participate because their missions involve issues or causes that were important to Robert McCormick during his career and life at Cantigny. “We’re delighted to offer this program for a fifth year, and to have provided support for 35 local charities so far,” said Diane Gutenkauf, director of the McCormick Museum. “The trees help raise public awareness for the organizations and generate funding for their important community programs. Besides, we enjoy decorating the museum and commemorating Colonel McCormick’s philanthropic spirit makes it all the more meaningful.” Each participating organization will receive a $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. They also collect 100% of any donations made by museum visitors, all of whom are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree. The agency whose tree gathers the most votes will receive an additional $2,500. The Foundation commits $20,000 annually to the program. The chosen agencies recall Colonel McCormick’s passion for community service. Decorating trees in 2014 are: · Community Housing Advocacy & Development (CHAD), Wheaton – Providing affordable housing to low income people in DuPage and Kane counties. Family Shelter Service, Wheaton – Transforming lives by offering help and hope to those affected by domestic violence. Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities, Winfield – Providing therapeutic equestrian activities for people with disabilities. Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, Naperville – Providing food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient. RevelationGolf, Elk Grove Village – Improving the physical, social, emotional and spiritual quality of life for veterans and others with disabilities by using the game of golf. Ronald McDonald House, Winfield – Keeping families together during difficult times, to help kids heal and cope better. We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center, West Chicago – Providing people with disabilities the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and to train and work in a supportive, safe and caring environment. The trees creatively decorated by these seven organizations will be positioned throughout the McCormick Museum, with one tree in the Gold Theatre and six on the first floor. For the fifth consecutive year, Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts will design and decorate the grand 18-foot-tall tree in Freedom Hall, Colonel McCormick’s historic library. McCormick Museum hours in November and December are 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, with visits by free guided tour. In addition, the museum will host a special Open House from 5 to 8 pm during Cantigny’s Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival on Saturday, Dec. 6. The museum is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving and the day after, and also closed Dec. 24-25. The last day for the Community Trees exhibit is Dec. 30, the museum’s final day of 2014 operations. Parking at Cantigny is $5 per vehicle or $2 after 4 pm. More information, including park hours, directions and details about upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org. ### About the Robert R. McCormick Museum The McCormick Museum is a historic house museum interpreting the life and legacy of Colonel Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is located at Cantigny Park, the Colonel’s 500-acre Wheaton (Illinois) estate that he left as a gift to the public. About Cantigny Park Part of the nonprofit Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Cantigny is home to 30 acres of spectacular gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum and a 27-hole championship golf course. All are open to the public. Cantigny also is a popular destination for special events, weddings, concerts, lectures, workshops and other recreation and learning opportunities for all ages. Full-service banquet and dining facilities are on site. More information, including hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events, is online at Cantigny.org. For details about Cantigny Golf, including the Cantigny Golf Academy and 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links, please visit CantignyGolf.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:00:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015