Goofy Golfing Fights Cancer

They make crazy YouTube videos to promote their charity, and they have a "Wheel of Meat" and uniformed referees at their golf outings. It may seem out of the ordinary, but the wacky and fun spirit of two local brothers has helped raise more than $485,000 to fight cancer.  

Tom & Bill Latourette

In 2002, Tom and Bill Latourette started a golf outing to help raise money for a friend's wife diagnosed with breast cancer.  The competitive brothers called the tournament "Beat Tom & Bill and Beat Cancer". That year, 30 of their friends attended and they raised $3,000.  Since then, "Beat Tom & Bill" has grown significantly.  

This year, 300 golfers came out to White Pines Golf Course on Friday, May 10.   They brought in an amazing $100,000 for 2 cancer charities (Sally's Studio  & Cancer Care Foundation), 1 financial endowment  (St. Patrick High School Cancer-Aid Endowment), and six local families with loved ones battling cancer (pictured below).

Click Here to read personal stories about all the families receiving funds this year.  Below, are some photos from the golf outing, dinner and auction from  Marcus Williams of Caramatt Photography:

 











To get a feel for the wacky nature of this event, check out one of the promotional videos they made: 

 
*Special thanks to Marcus Williams of Caramatt Photography for providing photos*

In Memory of Bob

 After nine weeks of non-stop fundraising, Mina Karagas has just over one week left to bring in as much money as she can for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She joined the non-profit's 10-week "Man & Woman of the Year" fundraising campaign in honor of her dear cousin who passed away when he was just 22-years-old. 

"Bob was part of the  University of Northern Colorado “UNC” Jazz Lab, on a scholarship.   At age 19, Bob was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and went into full remission after chemotherapy.   Bob was to attend Illinois Wesleyan University under a full scholarship when his Lymphoma returned, again after treatment, and surgery, he was in remission and went to the University of Northern Colorado under a full scholarship.  It is during his time at UNC that his Lymphoma returned along with an autoimmune complication.   Bob passed away 5 days after his 22^nd birthday on April 24, 1983 which was absolutely devastating."

Karagas hopes her fundraising helps raise money and awareness to help prevent other families from losing their loved ones, as she lost Bob.

This year, there are 13 inspiring candidates participating in the "Man & Woman of the Year" campaign in Chicago.  The male and female candidates who raise the most money will be chosen as "Man & Woman of the Year" at the Grand Finale Gala on Friday, May 17 at The Fairmount in Chicago.  

Click here for information on attending the Gala in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Click here to visit the fundraising page for Mina Karagas.

Tribute Excerpt Honoring Bob Hondros

Stay Strong Savannah

Friends of a little 5-year-old girl from St. John, Indiana are coming together to help raise money for her family as she fights cancer.  Just this year, little Savannah Delgado was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer most commonly found in children. 

Earlier this month, friends held an event at Savannah's daycare, Child Zone 41.  They're holding another event on May 18 at the Hammond FOP Lodge.  It will include lots of raffle prizes, karaoke and a spaghetti dinner!

Be sure to check out the Facebook page for the upcoming event.  You can also follow Savannah's journey online here.

 Here are the details on how to help this adorable little girl and her family during this hard time:

Stay Strong Savannah 

Saturday, May 18 

3 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

Hammond FOP Lodge 51 

7527 Kennedy Ave 

To Donate: 

Make check payable to "Stay Strong Savannah Benefit" 

Send to American Savings Bank FSB, 7880 US 41, St. John, IN 46373

Snowy Icy Ride, No Prob!

If you think it’s cold in Chicago this week, stop complaining! It’s still snowing in areas out west. And Andrew Beilat has been dealing with the elements first hand. 

He is riding his motorcycle 2,100 miles across the country to raise money and awareness for Ride Janie Ride. The non-profit is hosting its annual motorcycle ride and cancer fundraiser this Sunday. 

Beilat is riding his motorcycle from Oregon to Downers Grove to be there Sunday in support of his friend, Janie Bawel. 

Ride Janie Ride was formed in 2007 after Janie was diagnosed with cancer. Friends came together and organized a ride to raise money for her treatment.  Afterwards, Janie decided to “pay it forward” and has continued the rides each year since.  The organization has helped countless others thanks to generous supporters and donors like Andrew.  

“I’ve always wanted to do something for Janie, we are grade-school buddies and I have watched her go through so much. So when she started the ride I always wanted to attend, but it never worked out. At the same time I love to ride my bike and have had way too little time on it, and always wanted to do a cross country trip. It is just time!” 

Janie is incredibly grateful for Andrew's support and says she's been following his journey.  “It's had a snowball effect....no pun intended as he is traveling through much snow on his way here. He has put a new twist on raising money for Ride Janie Ride and we are so pleased.”

7th Annual "Ride Janie Ride" Event

Sunday, May 5th

Registration at Fox River Harley Davidson in St. Charles at 8:30 a.m. 

Kickstands go up at 11:00 a.m. sharp

Ends at Iron Horse Saloon in Lockport with free food, raffle prizes and live music

Register by visiting: http://www.ridejanieride.org/

Donations can be sent to:
Ride Janie Ride Foundation
PO BOX 307
Downers Grove, IL 60515  

 

 

Check out previous articles on INSPIREme Chicago related to Ride Janie Ride here: 

An Emotional Ride

Cupcakes For Courage

Ride Janie Ride

Michael Matters

Marisa and Michael

When she needed advice about school, life or work, Marisa Schostok simply walked down the hall to her Dad’s office for a chat.

He was a big trial lawyer in Chicago-- The “Schostok” of The Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Law Office.  She was following in her Dad’s footsteps--   a law student, who also worked as a clerk at his office on the side.  

 “It was more than a father-daughter relationship. You kind of share the bond of doing the same thing and being able to learn from him,” recalls 25-year-old Marisa. 

But as her first year of law school came to an end in 2012, news came that would change her life forever.  Her Dad, Michael Schostok, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor.

“You grow up thinking your parents are invincible,” says Marisa.  “So when something like that happens, it shakes your whole world because everything you’ve known is pulled out from underneath you.” 

Michael had a cancerous brain tumor that was inoperable.  With expensive drugs and care, doctors told Michael they may be able to prolong his life a year to 15 months.

Marisa considered taking a semester off to spend more time with her Dad.  But he was insistent that she stay in school and finish on time.  
Just before her 3^rd year of law school, her Dad passed away.  It was 15 months after his diagnosis. 

Michael and his wife Mary

  
“It was the worst 15 months of our lives,” recalls Michael’s wife Mary.  “But it was also the best 15 months of our lives. We enjoyed every single day like it was Michael’s last.”    Michael spent all the time he could in his final months with his wife and three children, Marisa, Gina and Mikey.  

Michael Schostok

Mary says she and Michael were blessed with successful careers and good health insurance, which helped give them those extra 15 months together.  

She hopes a new non-profit started by one of Michael’s co-workers will give other families that same time, and even help find a cure and a cause for this fatal disease. 

“My husband was the most healthy person you’ve ever met.  He never smoked, never drank, and he worked out six days a week.  You think you’re going to live until 100 because you’re so healthy, and then you get stricken by something there’s absolutely no explanation for.  It’s mind boggling.”

***

After Michael Schostok passed away, his co-worker TJ Saye decided to start a foundation in his name. He had zero non-profit experience, but didn’t let that stop him. 
  

“I used to go to charity events in Chicago and support causes,” says TJ, “but I didn’t realize how much work went on behind the scenes.”

He quickly learned what needed to be done and took care of everything from picking a board to developing an official 501(c)3.  The Michael MattersFoundation was born.  “If there’s anyone deserving of a foundation in his name, I’ll tell you, this is the man”  says TJ.

The non-profit is hosting its first fundraiser this weekend at the Schaumburg Boomers Baseball Stadium, where 400 people are coming together for a 5k walk. 

The goal is to raise funds for research and to support families who may need financial assistance paying for treatments. 

***

The Schostok Family will be at the walk and says they are all incredibly humbled by the support they have received.  It’s a bittersweet time for them. Not only is the walk this weekend, but then in two weeks, Marisa will graduate from law school.  And she’ll graduate on time, just as her Dad wanted. 

“Even though he won’t physically be there, he’ll be watching me," she says.  "He’ll be very happy that I finished on time. I know he’ll be there.”

Michael Matters Foundation 
5K Stadium Walk

Schaumburg Boomers Baseball Stadium

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Registration at 11 a.m.

For details and donations:  https://www.michaelmatters.org/

Check out this video created by The Michael Matters Foundation:

Fill Your Day with Acts of Kindness

Fill your day with acts of kindness for one another; not looking for anything in return, it becomes a gift to oneself.    -Gene Pellegrene

One person can make a difference in their community! Logan Square's Gene Pellegrene is proof. 

Five weeks ago, he decided to donate some of his clothes to homeless people in his neighborhood. He thought it would be nice to add some food items to the bag, like some water and nutrition bars. 

That sparked an idea:  how about creating full care packages for the homeless people he sees everyday?

"It put me into a mindset of what would be needed and appropriate. I purchased a few bottles of multi-vitamins and the care packages were created and delivered and then I was hooked," says Pellegrene. 

In the last five weeks, he has successfully delivered 19 care packages including everything from food and clothing to flash lights and toothpaste.  Each bag also has a list of services and resources for the homeless in Chicago, which was compiled with the help of the offices of Alderman Rey Colon, State Representative Toni Berrios and State Senator IrisMartinez. 

At first, the recipients of the bags were cautious and apprehensive to accept the handout. But as you will see in the video below, repeat customers have gained trust in Pellegrene and are incredibly thankful for his kindness. 

Pellegrene hopes his actions will have a ripple effect and other people will step up and make a difference in their neighborhoods. He's already had several friends donate to help him make more bags. 

"Its important, for your own outlook, to fill your day with acts of kindness for one another; not looking for anything in return, it becomes a gift to oneself," says Pellegrene.  "I've been experiencing a feeling of closer connectivity to my community as well as a more positive outlook that's making me more patient, aware and generally I'm just smiling more on a daily basis since I've been doing this".   

As Pellegrene has proven, it's easy to make a difference in your community... and who knows, you may also make a difference in your own life while you're at it!
 

Check out this video that Gene made with help from his friend, Nathan Schill:

How you can help:

Gene is looking for Costco and Target gift cards so he can continue delivering care packages to the homeless.  You can send them electronically to GenePellegrene@hotmail.com or via mail:

Gene Pellegrene 

P.O. Box 479304

Chicago, IL 60647 

Vote By Midnight!

I recently learned about a great non-profit called Moneythink.  It's an amazing organization that mentors inner-city teens and teaches them how to manage their personal finances to prepare for a future of success and independence.

What a great concept!  So many kids leave high school without a basic understanding of how to manage money or even set up a bank account.  Moneythink gives low-income students the tools and information they need to become financially literate, empowering them to become successful.



Photo from moneythink.org



I met Moneythink co-founder, Ted Gonder, earlier this year when we both spoke at my high school's career day. I could write an entire article about the 23-year-old University of Chicago alumnus and all his amazing accomplishments.  But right now, he just needs our help!!

His organization is growing rapidly. It started in Chicago and is beginning to grow across the country. They are now reaching thousands of teens, which means they need more money to help make an even bigger impact in educating future generations.

State Farm is hosting a contest on Facebook and the winning non-profit will receive $25,000!  Moneythink has made it to the top 200 out of thousands of competing organizations.  Now, they need your help getting into the top 40!  In order to do so, the group needs about 25,000 more votes by tonight at midnight.

Here's how you can help:


-Click this link:
https://apps.facebook.com/sf_neighbor_assist/cause/390/moneythink

-Vote 10 times for MONEYTHINK!

Spread the word, Chicago! This is a great cause that is changing lives in our city!  And be sure to click here to learn more about Ted Gonder and Moneythink!