Artists Unveil Playful Works At Garden Party
May 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment
United Way sculpture display starts Monday
By MIKE MITCHELL mmitchell@scn1.com
Local artist Gigi Gentile created a frog on a throne “because as a single gal, I’m hoping for a magic kiss to turn someone into a prince.”
The Naperville United Way is hoping for some magic of its own as it unveiled 39 of its fiberglass sculptures Thursday at Edward Hospital for this year’s Garden Party - an outdoor display that is expected to raise about $100,000 this summer.
 |
The Naperville United Way is hoping for some magic of its own as it unveiled 39 of its fiberglass sculptures Thursday at Edward Hospital for this year’s Garden Party. (Jonathan Miano / Staff photographer) |
 |
Carolyn Finzer shows mayor George Pradel her sculpture. (Jonathan Miano/STNG) |
 |
Jack Gunderson takes a photo of his dad, artist Bart Gunderson, and his sister Abby Gunderson, background, in front of a butterfly sculpture Bart painted. (Jonathan Miano/STNG) |
 |
Victor plays on a frog sculpture. (Jonathan Miano/STNG) |
“We don’t believe this year will necessary have more people participating because of the popularity in previous years. Certainly, this is now a part of Naperville, and it’s a great part of Naperville, but we don’t expect it to be significantly more,” said Deb Rigdon, co-chair of the event. “With the economy going the way it is, some of our building and construction sponsors may have not been able to help the way they have in the past. But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to reach our goals.”
Gentile, of Lombard, designed three pieces of art for this year’s outdoor event that will begin Monday and conclude with an auction and dinner Sept. 12 at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge.
Her favorite work is a frog shaped like a seat. It has a throne-like image painted on the front of the fiberglass sculpture and a village painted on the back. It is one of the many items people can bid on online to raise money for the Naperville charity that will be in flux until the group merges with the DuPage Area group this October.
The art again will be placed throughout downtown Naperville this summer. For this year’s fundraiser, the Naperville United Way will have giant butterflies (birdbaths), dragonflies (benches), oversized frogs (chairs) and gigantic ladybugs (playhouses). Joining them will be wooden garden carts also decorated by local artists.
Gentile designed a cart with cats painted on the side of the wooden barrels.
“I spend about a day doing this piece,” she said. “These were a good idea because you had a lot of room for creativity.”
The sculptures will go on display Monday. Many of them will be propped in front of local businesses with children playing, climbing and interacting with them.
“It’s going to be a part of it,” said Maureen Baier, co-chair of the event, when asked about the popularity of the pieces being accessible to children. “It’s a part of our downtown now.”
But Baier wasn’t sure if more outdoor art exhibits would take place in the downtown area.
“We just don’t know at this point,” she said. “We do know this is for a good cause and should continue to be a good way to help our community.”
Letters to the Editor: Merging United Ways Was The Best Move
May 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Merging United Ways was the best moveFriday’s article, “United Way Groups to Merge,” shows what success looks like when caring people are committed to serving our community in the strongest possible way.
As chief professional officer of the Naperville United Way for the past eight years, I commend our outstanding volunteer leaders for making this change, ensuring that Naperville’s most pressing human care needs can be met more effectively.
While we achieved our campaign goal this year, the rapidly growing needs of people in our community require us to think beyond “business as usual,” not only spending dollars wisely but identifying ways to reduce costs and engage more donors.
Combining Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area is our best option to do just that. I have never been so proud of what we have accomplished together and congratulate the Naperville United Way board for making the right decision.
Susan Fritz
Chief professional officer
Naperville United Way
Editorial Opinions: Be It Naperville Or DuPage, United Way Merits Support
May 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
THE ISSUE: Faced with stagnant donations, the Naperville United Way is going to merge with United Way of DuPage Area.
OUR VIEW: We hope this synergy makes for a stronger United Way for we have always urged residents to support and intend to keep on doing so.
This reflects not only the difficulties charitable organizations across the country are having in a tough economy, but also increased need in the Naperville area.
Naperville United Way Board President Chip Downing said that not only are there some efficiencies that can be achieved by the merger, but that he expects additional funds to come from it.
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, but we hope that this is not the case for the Naperville United Way.
As an article in Friday’s Sun revealed, after five years of flat donations, our local United Way is going to merge with the United Way of DuPage Area this October.
In a sense this is too bad, because the Naperville United Way in past years has been very successful, but of the $1.5 million in funding requests it received this fiscal year, the charity was only able to distribute $925,000.
Of the 30 charities currently supported by the Naperville United Way, 21 also receive funding from DuPage.
The merger will make life a little easier for those 21, because they will no longer have to file applications to Naperville and DuPage separately.
Also of the 30 charities supported by the Naperville United Way, seven are based in our city. Downing said these can expect support for at least one more year.
Naperville United Way’s annual Garden Party - the brightly painted sculptures that decorate the downtown before they are auctioned off in the fall - will be held this summer, but Downing couldn’t say if it will continue.
This type of change is not unusual for the United Way.
In 2004, six area branches were consolidated, leaving Naperville the only separate agency in DuPage County.
Given this trend, it was perhaps inevitable that someday Naperville would no longer have its own United Way.
We have always strongly supported the United Way editorially, and we ask residents to continue to support it. Locally, United Way has always had a good track record of running its operation efficiently and with low overhead, and support eminently worthwhile charitable organizations.
Whether it’s the Naperville United Way or the United Way of DuPage Area is still merits your support.
Two United Way Groups Set To Merge
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Naperville United Way soon will join forces with the United Way of the DuPage Area.
The two announced Thursday that they plan to merge Oct. 1 in order to use their resources more effectively to support area health and human services agencies.
Twenty-one of the 30 agencies the Naperville group serves overlap with the DuPage group.
Naperville United Way president-elect Stephen Frost said he’s excited about the merger and believes it will be in the best interest of the community.
“This will allow us a significant amount of benefits from consolidating without interfering with the services that are provided to the Naperville community and Naperville residents and gives us the opportunity to grow those agencies and programs,” Frost said.
Naperville will have five representatives on the new board of directors and will be participating in the organization’s many committees. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to be an honorary board member.
As part of the merger, the DuPage United Way will create two new fundraising positions.
“For non-profits it’s always a competitive time,” said Christine Lewis, chief professional officer for United Way of the DuPage Area. “I think we both are strong leaders throughout our areas and realize the nature of hard economic times for folks and we just want to think ahead of how we can really serve the residents of Naperville ? and this is the best opportunity we have.”
Together, the two groups said they will be able to invest $4 million into the communities they serve.
The agencies that don’t already overlap with the DuPage group, such as KidsMatter and Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry, still will receive funding for another two years before they have to re-apply.
KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold said she is not concerned about losing out on funding in the merger.
“We felt very good when United Way accepted us as a partner agency and we believe we’ll continue creating programs that will effectively help families raise healthy kids and are confident in the new merger ? they will also understand the importance of organizations such as KidsMatter,” Wenhold said.
The merger will not affect the annual outdoor public art display this year. Garden sculptures will be placed around the city later this month and auctioned in September as planned. The program is in its eighth year and organizers hope to raise $100,000 for charity.
Frost said the program will be re-evaluated after the merger is complete.
United Way Groups To Merge, Naperville Organization Unable to Meet Funding Requests
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com
After five years of flat donations, United Way of Naperville will merge with United Way of DuPage Area this fall.
Sluggish fundraising and rising needs in Naperville left the branch unable to meet its funding requests this year, said Naperville Board President Chip Downing. Of the $1.5 million in funding requests, the agency received this fiscal year, it was only able to distribute $925,000, he said.
“It’s a difficult climate for not-for-profits,” Downing said. “The campaigns we’ve had have been relatively flat, and the needs have risen. They haven’t been able to meet requests.”
Combining the two branches will make it easier for charities to apply for United Way funds. Of the 30 charities supported by Naperville, 21 also receive funding from DuPage. Now those organizations will only have to fill out one, not two, applications for United Way funds.
The merger also will bulk up fundraising abilities for the United Way DuPage Area by turning the agency into a central funding point, Downing said.
As three staffers leave the Naperville office, two new positions will be created at the DuPage office. The new employees will focus on expanding the endowment, gathering individual donations and promoting United Way’s most lucrative operation - its workplace campaign.
“There are some efficiencies that can be brought by combining the two agencies,” Downing said. “We expect additional funds to come out of this merger.”
Five Naperville board members will join the 19-member DuPage board after the merger takes place Oct. 1. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to act as an honorary board member.
Naperville United Way’s annual Garden Party - its most creative fundraising event - will still proceed as planned this year, but Downing could not say whether it will be continued in the future. Each year, local businesses donate sculptures that are displayed downtown through the summer and auctioned in September.
After United Way consolidated six area branches in 2004, Naperville was left the only separate agency in DuPage County. Downing said the seven Naperville-based charities receiving funds can expect support for at least one more year.
“We’re very confident this is the right thing to do for Naperville,” he said.
Garden Party Keeps Growing
April 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sun staffWhat’s a garden party without the garden? Naperville United Way’s annual fundraising event already features giant butterflies (birdbath), dragonflies (benches), oversized frogs (chairs) and gigantic ladybugs (playhouses). Joining them will be wooden garden carts.
But the wheelbarrow-like carts need “gardeners,” or sponsors, to tend to them just like the about 40 fiberglass sculptures that will adorn downtown Naperville this summer.
The sponsorship fee is $150 and includes an artist to assist in decorating the cart, which is 51 inches long by 16 inches wide by 16 inches tall. Sponsors will be required to fill their carts with about $500 worth of merchandise.
A limited number of carts are available for sponsorship. The garden carts will be on display throughout the summer event. All garden carts along with merchandise will be included in the Garden Party auction Sept. 14. Proceeds from the auction benefit Naperville United Way.
Call 630-369-2676.
United Way Web Site Connects People, Group
January 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sun staff
The Naperville United Way has launched a new Web site at www.napervilleunitedway.org.
The new design features video testimonials from Naperville citizens, including Mayor George Pradel and Edward Hospital’s Sandy Benson, as well as news updates on current United Way happenings. The site offers the latest information on how the Naperville United Way is making an impact in the community.
The redesign also reflects the theme of the Naperville United Way: “We are the many faces of Naperville.”
Karen Walerow of Wheatland OmniMedia, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Naperville United Way, donated her time and talents to create the new site.
“This is exactly the kind of project I love to do,” Walerow said in a statement. “I was able to help the Naperville United Way by creating a Web site that helps communicate our purpose in a clear way. I was happy to be involved and lend aid in spreading our message.”
Susan Fritz, the chief professional officer of the Naperville United Way, already knows the many benefits the new Web site will bring.
“We are so sincerely grateful and appreciative of this new Web site design and all of Karen’s hard work; it will make communication with donors, volunteers and anyone interested in our cause so much easier,” Fritz said in a statement. “The Web site is easy to navigate, informative, and it looks great.”
‘Garden Party’ Guests Named
January 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
Custom-designed sculptures unveiled for United Way event
By KATE R. HOULIHAN ? Staff writer
It’s official - three unique insects and one amphibian will be in attendance at this summer’s Naperville United Way “Garden Party.”
Chief professional officer Susan Fritz unveiled the four designs Wednesday morning to The Sun. Sitting at the highest sponsor level is what Fritz calls a “very practical” ladybug playhouse. Five of the 5-foot-by-5-foot objects will be available.
| Ladybug playhouse |  |
| Dragonfly bench |  |
| Butterfly birdbath |  |
| Frog chair |  |
Also on the docket is a dragonfly garden bench, made up of a pair of dragonflies with outstretched wings to form the back of the seat, and cattails holding up the chair.
“I think these will be super popular,” Fritz said.
Rounding out the selections are frog chairs
featuring an amphibian whose neck is stretched to the sky, with a tongue reaching out to catch a fly, and a butterfly birdbath with the butterfly sitting on a large daisy with wings stretched up in a V-shape.
“It will catch water in the daisy and the wings will be the focal point,” she said.
All pieces that will adorn the downtown and Riverwalk this summer are custom-designed for Naperville, a first, Fritz said. Different sponsorship levels for the sculptures are available, with the ladybug playhouses at the highest level, followed by gold, silver and bronze classifications. Fritz said sponsor packets will likely be available by Friday.
Come the second Friday in September, the United Way will auction off the sculptures with all proceeds benefiting the organization. Last year’s selection of seahorses, mermaids, dolphins and sea turtles netted more than $100,000.
“I just think these pieces are stunning,” Fritz said about the new sculptures. “I think they’ll be popular, these pieces. We built them to be functional.”
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224.
Restaurants, United Way Join For Fundraiser
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sun staff
The Naperville United Way is partnering with local restaurants to benefit diners and the United Way alike.
Several Naperville restaurants are selling $20 gift certificates for $10 and donating the money to the Naperville United Way through their fundraiser “Support Naperville United Way by Dining Out!”
Catch 35, Sullivan’s, Caf? Buonaro, Raffi’s and City Club have joined the United Way to provide dinner and donations.
“We are so thrilled to have the participation of these wonderful Naperville restaurants in this program,” said Susan Fritz, Naperville United Way chief professional officer. “Naperville residents can now eat at the best restaurants in town while donating to the United Way.”
To purchase food gift certificates, interested parties can visit the specific restaurant. Gift certificates are available during regular dining hours, and purchasers do not need to be dining to purchase certificates.
There are no restrictions on the number of coupons that can be used at one time. The only exception to this is Caf? Buonaro, which limits use to a meal other than lunch and to one coupon per couple, per visit. The only other restriction applies at Sullivan’s, where certificates are not redeemable on Valentine’s Day. These restaurants are donating the entire $10 purchasing price to the Naperville United Way, and they are donating the $20 value in food.
The certificates are valid on food only and do not apply to liquor, tax or gratuity. They are valid until May 31 at Caf? Buonaro, Raffi’s, City Club and Catch 35, and until March 31 at Sullivan’s.
Summer United Way Fundraiser Gets ‘Buggy’
January 18, 2008 | 3 Comments
“Ugly Bug Ball” this will not be.
By KATE R. HOULIHAN Staff writer
Burl Ives belted out that tune in the 1963 movie “Summer Magic” as a way to show beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And come summer, there will be no shortage of beautiful insects downtown thanks to the “garden party” theme of the Naperville United Way’s annual sculpture fundraiser and outdoor art display.
“We’re looking at incorporating these bugs into a bench or chair,” said Susan Fritz, Naperville United Way chief professional officer. “A dragonfly may look like a garden bench with the wings stretched out to form the back, a ladybug may look like a playhouse and a frog may look like a garden chair. We might have a butterfly with large wings. We’re looking at an idea of possibly a garden cart.”
Form and function combined with the fanciful has become an important aspect in deciding what type of Fiberglass sculptures to place along the Riverwalk and throughout downtown. All sculptures are auctioned off in September.
“We’re trying to incorporate the practical with the fun,” Fritz said. “We really need to keep in mind what works with auction. We wanted to go a bit more sophisticated, but we still wanted to have some whimsy to it, because that’s what drives people and families downtown to see them.”
Fritz said the big bugs will work well for people who want to incorporate them into their gardens. In addition, they’re aiming for pieces that offer ample canvas room for artistic expression.
Final details will be known when a committee examines design drawings from Chicago-based Cowpainters and narrows the selection next week. Fritz said two new co-chairs, Debbie Rigdon and Maureen Baier, are heading the charge this year, and she said their experience organizing the annual Little Friends Inc. auction should help.
Last year’s splashy symphony of water-themed creatures drew more than $100,000 when all was said and done.
Fritz believes the unique designs at this year’s garden gala will be “phenomenally successful.”
“We’ve gotten wonderfully creative, outstanding pieces,” she said.
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224
