October 15, 2024
If you bought a raffle ticket at a Sounds of Summer concert, you may have helped your neighbor enroll in his first baseball league. Maybe you support the Palatine Park Foundation through a matching gift program; you may have funded an accessible swing set at your local park.
Palatine Park Foundation, the charitable giving branch of the Park District, was founded on October 27, 1994 and is celebrating 30 years of contributing to the health and well-being of Palatine Park District residents. The Board accomplishes this by providing scholarship monies to residents with financial limitations, by assisting in funding Park District capital projects, by funding projects and events that provide physical accessibility, and helping to preserve open space throughout the Park District.
Kate McNally, a Foundation member since 2016, currently serves as its President. She got involved when Board member Jim Lennon, invited her to check it out. “When I was right out of college, I joined the Palatine Jaycees, an organization for young adults 21-40,” she said. After I finished my time there, I wanted to continue to support a community organization.”
“I am involved in the Palatine Park Foundation to help assure that no resident of the park district is unable to participate in athletics, the arts, or recreation programs due to economic reasons,” said Jim Lennon. “The park district has had such a positive effect on my family and my neighbors that I want the opportunities to be available to all.”
This year the Foundation awarded over $11,700 dollars in scholarships for programs such as soccer, dance, art, football, and baseball.
“Our three children have been involved in Palatine Park District their whole lives from preschool, gymnastics, dance, basketball, soccer, and cultural arts,” said Brian McGoldrick, Foundation Board member. “The diverse programming offered has helped them develop and make friendships throughout the community and everyone should have this same chance. Providing recreation opportunities to the whole community regardless of financial ability is vital to ensuring everyone can benefit from the great resources the park district has to offer.”
McNally said there are currently many requests for scholarships. “The need is intense right now,” she said. “We receive requests every single month and have been able to grant all requests this year, but we have to find new, creative ways to raise funds and awareness.”
McNally said past fundraisers included an event called Wine and Nine at Palatine Hills Golf Course. “Some of the holes were golf and others were for tasting wine. It was so fun and we raised a ton of money for the Foundation. I really hope we can run this event again.”
“I’m involved in the Palatine Park Foundation to help ensure access to enriching experiences in our community are available to children and families regardless of income,” Eric DeBellis, Board member said. “The Palatine Park District’s facilities, staff, and programming contribute greatly to what makes Palatine a wonderful place to grow up, and the Foundation plays a role in expanding access to it all.”
Currently, Palatine Park Foundation has 10 members, however, by-laws allow 13. Those interested in becoming members and assisting with the mission are encouraged to reach out at palatineparkfound@gmail.com “If you are a good fit, have time to give, and are willing, an invitation is extended,” McNally said. “We are a board made up of dedicated Palatine residents who range from members with young families, to Fred Hall who is a Palatine legend and has an amphitheater named after him. We are all people who are passionate about helping and who care.”
Monetary donations may be made through a matching gift program where you work, personal fundraisers on social media, and various means of pledging current or future assets through your will, estate, securities, real estate or retirement assets.
The 2024-2025 Park Foundation Board members are: Kate McNally, John Kurzatkowski, Brian McGoldrick, Monica Haun, Eric DeBellis, Fred P. Hall, Janet Leigh, Jim Lennon, Deb Lemonidis, and Joe Pietrini.
“The Foundation is a perfect fit for me as I am a product of so many great Palatine Park District classes and programs,” McNally said. “It is well worth my time to give back to this great town.”
