Summer Camp – Our first venture into the world of fundraising after the building opened was to subsidize the cost of summer camp for youth who were unable to pay. We met with Park District officials concerning the cost of the first program as compared to other parks in the city. We were able to co-sponsor the cost per child with The Parkway Foundation now known as The Parks Foundation. Thanks to the generous support of Rogers Park Builders Group and individual donations from neighborhood residents, we held our first summer camp.
Olympic Walkathon – We walked the route to Indian Boundary Park via other parks in between and back. Food was donated by various restaurants for lunch. The kids had their own Olympics with tin foil torches in a marathon run around the park. Medals were given to all participants and Ms. Mickey Norton held a story telling session about her friend, Willye B White.
The Chicago Bears Organization selected the grant proposal submitted by staff to sponsor their Jr. Bear Program. The PAC funded the purchase of football uniforms for the Wolverines Jr. Bears football team.
Rogers Park Men Can Cook – We held a contest inviting the men to come out and cook in the park. The gentlemen got to show off their best grilling recipes. School of Rock of Evanston performed.
Rock N Roll Concert – Two former members of 1968 era rock bands and other musicians took over the stage at Kathleen Mullady Auditorium at Loyola University. Everyone had a great trip to the good old days and there was dancing in the aisles too!
The PAC with help from the neighbors helped raise over $1,000.00 to send one young man to Italy to compete in the International Wheel Jam. He and one other young man were on Wolfgang Bientzle’s wheel gymnastic team that meets at Willye White every Saturday.