Lake County’s Guide to Holiday Giving & Volunteering
Our annual Holiday Guide is now available! It includes giving and volunteer opportunities throughout Lake County, agency wish lists and contact information for food pantries to help our neighbors in need.
When we work together to support our community, we all flourish, making Lake County a truly enviable place to live and work for all.
Be a Community Hero for Children and Families in Lake County
We are on a mission to close gaps and open opportunities, building a stronger community where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create a community where heroes abound. Can we count on your support this holiday season?
By supporting education initiatives like Success By 6 and Youth Success, you become a hero for local children, ensuring they have the tools and skills for a successful future. Our 211 helpline, a beacon for those in need, has guided over 250,000 people to essential services—a lifeline made possible by heroes like you.
Through December 19, you can double your impact! Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County is matching all new or increased gifts up to $10K!
Watch our NEW VIDEO where a group of enthusiastic neighborhood kids join forces to support United Way of Lake County!
Power of the Purse Raises Funds for Early Education
On November 5, Women United held their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse. A sold-out crowd of more than 200 women joined forces to celebrate women, friendship and philanthropy. They enjoyed an afternoon of brunch, bubbly, purses, raffles and more. This year’s event raised nearly $70K!
Power of the Purse was a resounding success, thanks to the generous support of our members, attendees, including many first-timers as well as valued returning guests, and sponsors. The room buzzed with energy as attendees engaged in meaningful conversations and raised their hands in support of early childhood education. The event showcased the incredible impact that can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision for positive change.
Power of the Purse raises funds for Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund, which supports critical, local early education programs that focus on building the foundation for strong and successful academic futures.
Hispanic Heritage Month Books Distributed Throughout Community
Thank you to our Hispanic Heritage Month Book Drive donors! You helped us distribute 135 books to Greenwood Elementary, Clearview Elementary and Warren-Newport Library. Now more local children will have access to stories that promote cultural awareness, celebrate diversity, and honor Latinx and Hispanic culture.
Six Flags Student Leadership Summit
Six Flags Great America invited our Breakfast Club students to participate in their first-ever Student Leadership Summit. The more than 30 eighth graders got a behind-the-scenes tour and learned about Six Flags’ business operations. The students also immersed themselves in an exclusive day of learning with workshops on topics such as time management, personal finance and mindfulness.
Thank you to Six Flags Great America for sponsoring this incredible event! We can’t wait to see where these skills take our students.
“Six Flags had the wonderful opportunity of hosting United Way of Lake County’s Breakfast Club students at the park for a day full of enriching leadership workshops,” said Rachel Kendziora, Communications Specialist at Six Flags. “We were thrilled to have hosted such a positive event that enhanced the students’ growth and leadership.”
Leaders Have Wings
Our young professionals leadership group, Leaders United, has partnered with Wingstop to host a fundraiser in support of our before-school mentorship program, Breakfast Club, which provides a safe, supportive space for middle schoolers to learn the skills needed to be successful in high school and beyond.
Join us in supporting local students on December 14, between5:00–8:00 p.m. at the Gurnee or Waukegan Wingstop locations and show them the flyer linked below. 30% of in-store sales will be donated to Leaders United!
“Wine & Learn” About Women United
If you are looking for new ways to connect with amazing women in our community, new opportunities to volunteer and socialize, or new ways to make a measurable difference for children and families in Lake County, please join Women United for a prospective member Wine & Learn on November 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at a member’s home in Libertyville. RSVP by emailing Alina.Mozo@uwlakeco.org.
Women United mobilizes more than 135 amazing women to ensure children living in Lake County are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. In addition to caring deeply about this collective effort, they have a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals
At United Way of Lake County, we are committed to aligning our culture and business practices to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to better address our community’s needs. We recently finalized our DEI goals for fiscal year 2024 and are pleased to share them.
We’re Hiring: 211 Community Engagement Coordinator
We are looking for an innovative individual enthusiastic about serving others to help ensure that 211 Lake County excels in delivering referral services and information to people of Lake County. The 211 Community Engagement Coordinator is a key team member responsible for ensuring that 211 Lake County helps provide a positive experience and value to Lake County community members and stakeholders.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to LIVE UNITED.
We celebrate unique and diverse identities and experiences. We believe that all people deserve fairness, justice and security. We create a welcoming environment in which everyone feels valued and respected.
We commit to aligning our culture and business practices to advance diversity, equity and inclusion to better address our community’s needs.
View our anti-racism statement, goals and DEI Committee members below.
You’re Invited: Power of the Purse!
Join Women United on Sunday, November 7, for their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse.
After an online event in 2020, we expect to be in person with CDC protocols in place. Those who attend the in-person event will enjoy a champagne brunch and a fun-filled afternoon of games, prizes, and special surprises. We will also have a virtual option again this year; an online buying and bidding shopping experience that includes dozens of designer bags, silent auction purses, baskets and items.
100% of all proceeds and items purchased will support early education programs in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities through our Little Kids, Big Futures Fund. Since 2014, Women United has distributed $850K to worthy nonprofits to ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed.
Whether you join us in person or online, you will have many opportunities to shop, support children’s education and have fun! Buy your ticket today!
Join Us Tomorrow to Celebrate Two Years of 211
We are proud to celebrate the second anniversary of 211 services for Lake County. Join with community leaders and stakeholders on September 23 to learn how 211 has grown to become a lifeline for people across the county seeking help meeting basic needs.
You’ll hear about 211’s measurable impact, data on community-specific needs, and the results we have seen in year two during this critical time of the pandemic. You’ll also hear stories of how 211 has made a real difference for community members, employers, agencies and local government. Marc L. Jones, Waukegan Township Supervisor, will moderate a panel of local leaders discussing how 211 more efficiently guides people to resources to help improve lives, including a more in-depth discussion on the top needs and solutions to address them.
Help us recognize the incredible support and collaboration of so many individuals, employers, community leaders and partners who have joined with us to bring this vital service to Lake County, and celebrate the results we’ve achieved together.
Women United Brightens a Waukegan School
Women United members recently took on an Early Learning Trail volunteer project at Clearview Elementary School in Waukegan. They painted paths marked by numbers, letters and shapes to help students at Clearview develop social, cognitive and kinesthetic skills in a playful and safe space. Thank you to all the women who braved the heat to make Clearview an even better place to learn and play!
Company Spotlight: Aon
Aon and United Way of Lake County have been working together to improve lives in Lake County for nearly a decade. We are grateful to the Aon colleagues who have volunteered their time on dozens of projects in our neighborhoods and schools—from creating and painting early learning trails at local schools to organizing school supply drives.
During this challenging year, Aon colleagues stepped up to support our School Supply Drive benefitting Waukegan Public Schools and other local school districts. Several colleague groups organized donations of school supplies and volunteered their time at a massive distribution event this past August. The participation of our partners helped us surpass our goal of 800 backpacks by almost double!
We are fortunate to have Aon’s Michelle Hansen, Senior Partner in Aon’s Wealth Solutions business, as a member of our board of directors and our Women United affinity group. Michelle’s energy and enthusiasm for our mission reflects how Aon colleagues represent the best of the firm by demonstrating a commitment to service that extends beyond their day-to-day business responsibilities.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Aon on our shared goal to enrich and improve lives in Lake County.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with your organization through United Way of Lake County, please contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.
Launch a Workplace Giving Campaign
Change doesn’t happen alone. Your organization, large or small, can help us create a stronger Lake County through a United Way workplace campaign. Whether your campaign is virtual or in-person, we’ll provide you with the tools you need to plan, coordinate and implement a successful fundraising campaign.
Is your organization ready to LIVE UNITED? We’ll help you get started.
Get Involved with Leaders United
Leaders United is a caring group of young professionals committed to generosity and volunteerism in Lake County, IL. They are on a mission to engage young leaders in creating a positive impact in Lake County through giving, advocating and volunteering. Together, they support one another, have fun and strengthen our community!
