It was another record-breaking night for our Spring Gala Committee with nearly $250,000 raised at the fabulous Fire & Ice event! Thank you to all the generous attendees and sponsors who made it so successful for Almost Home Kids and to Lakesha & Jim Rose for brilliantly hosting and stewarding our program throughout the evening. Special thanks to Samuel Slennett for giving a wonderful parent testimonial and to our three awardees, Keith Veselik, MD, Christine Sajous, MD and Eric Maul (Maul Paving) for everything they do for AHK. The organizing committee led by Erin LaMantia and Stacie Ga ..read more

By Marilyn Berg As the first employed nurse at what would become Almost Home Kids, I have been a part of the AHK mission from the beginning! My career as a pediatric nurse spanned over 40 years and provided the opportunity to work in a variety of settings.  The majority of these years were spent providing home care for children with medical complexities where I had the privilege of caring for a special boy named Danny, whose mom became one of the founding mothers of Almost Home Kids.  While caring for Danny, I was encouraged to apply for the newly created Director of Nursing position ..read more

Our Spring Gala, Fire & Ice is on Friday!! If you already registered and will be at the event in person, you are in for an amazing night. If you aren’t able to attend in person there are still some cool ways you can support Almost Home Kids and still participate! Check out our fabulous online silent auction and bid early and often at: https://2024SpringGala.givesmart.com. Highlights include a spectacular Michigan holiday home that could be yours either Sept 26th-29th or Oct 3rd-6th of this year, when Michigan is at its best. If an experience is what you’re looking for, check out this fabul ..read more

Our AHK Running Team kicked things off at the Shamrock Shuffle with over $2,000 already raised for AHK! Bob Danko, Peter Smith (AHK Chief Medical Officer), Megan and Fiona were at the designated spot prior to the race start to meet with Andrea Kerr (AHK Development Coordinator) for a photo op. The fundraising site will stay open all year since we have several AHK Runners planning on Running for Reason at other races in support of Almost Home Kids! If you are planning on running this year and would like to join the team, please reach out to Andrea at ankerr@almosthomekids.org for more informati ..read more

Our work in the community is fueled when members become advocates for children with medical complexities. Reading about our mission is helpful, but witnessing the care first-hand takes it to a whole other level of understanding. Meeting the children, their parents, our volunteers, and staff helps you visualize what it is like to ‘share the care’ in the community. If you are interested in touring any of our sites (Chicago, Naperville, or Peoria), please send us an email info@almosthomekids.org to schedule a time. The children are up, bathed, dressed and ready to receive visitors by 10 a.m. up u ..read more

We are thrilled to announce that Karin Prangley has been named the Chair of AHK’s President’s Advisory Council in Chicago. Since 2011 Karin has been heavily and effectively involved with Almost Home Kids; serving on committees, co-chairing numerous events and making thoughtful introductions. She is a wealth planner in the Chicago Private Banking office of Brown Brothers Harriman. As a tax and estate planning lawyer by background, Karin’s work with her clients ranges from saving income and estate taxes on the sale of a business, to optimizing philanthropic goals, to preparing the next generatio ..read more

We had another super successful and very entertaining YAB sponsored Bingo event last week! The amount raised – over $1,300! was record breaking for this event. We are very grateful to Julia Nehf and the Young Associates Board for organizing the event, to Happy Camper in Old Town (and all the Bingo Goers)! for their amazing support AND to the hilarious and talented Bingo maestro himself Ryan. The post Bingo!! YAB & Happy Camper Style appeared first on Almost Home Kids ..read more

By Karl Maurer I first learned of Almost Home Kids many years ago; in fact, when the organization was in its early days and named “COACH*”. Even as a member of the Family Advisory Board at Children’s Memorial Hospital, where my son was being treated, I had no idea what they really did, but knew they were a big help to families at the hospital. When I learned about their transitional services for kids who are well enough to leave the hospital, but not ready to go home, I thought it was brilliant and introduced my friend Katie Weideman who is a philanthropic consultant, to the staff. She helped ..read more

Our annual wine tasting event promises to be another fabulous marquee event. Save the date or buy tickets/sponsorship now! Where: Verve Wine, 2349 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 When: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM The post 2024 Tasting for a Cause appeared first on Almost Home Kids ..read more

Almost Home Kids Young Associates Board (YAB) is excited to announce details for their annual “No Place Like Home” fundraise and cocktail party. Where: Porter Kitchen & Deck, 150 N Riverside Plaza, Chicago When: Friday, May 31, 2024 at 6:30 pm The post 2024 No Place Like Home appeared first on Almost Home Kids ..read more