REI Store Events Oakbrook Terrace

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Oakbrook Terrace Clinics and Events

REI Gives: 2009 Chicago Area Grant Recipients

2009

Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities, and encourage involvement in responsible outdoor recreation. REI employees nominate organizations, projects, and programs in which they are personally involved to receive funding or gear donations.

Active Transportation Alliance $10,000
Regional Bicycling Ambassador
Active Transportation Alliance (ATA) is committed to helping people overcome barriers to bicycling. The Regional Bicycle Ambassador program fulfills a key role for the organization in providing direct bicycle education. Regional Bicycling Ambassador seek to increase bicycling and decrease crashes by utilizing a variety of settings and messages to deliver education messages. The Ambassador's work will target persons of a wide variety of income levels and backgrounds who have great needs for bicycle safety information. The Active Transportation Alliance's Regional Bicycling Ambassador is part of a new, larger Bicycle Education Collaborative, which is made up of regional stakeholders including REI and other retail store owners, cycling advocates, police, park districts and other municipal organizations. REI funds will provide education materials and will support program coordination efforts for the Ambassadors.

Friends of the Chicago River $10,000
River Volunteer Stewardship Program (RVSP)
The Friends of the Chicago River's (the 'Friends') River Volunteer Stewardship Program (RVSP) seeks to increase the number of high-functioning volunteer stewards enabling the Friends to better restore and improve natural lands along the Chicago River. Utilizing a strong and effective framework, RVSP manages volunteers through a continuum of activities and advocacy. The Friends believe that this approach affects the health of the river more profoundly by drawing individuals and groups into deeper involvement with its organization and the Chicago River. This initiative is an evolution of Friends' existing volunteer stewardship efforts and places new emphasis on coordinated mission-driven, outcome-based volunteerism. REI's funds will support the dedication of additional staff time to increase volunteer participation and will also provide the materials and tools to support volunteer projects.

Girls on the Run-Chicago $5,000
Girls on the Run After-School Program
Girls on the Run-Chicago (GOTRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission of educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Since GOTRC's inception in 1999, thousands of women across Chicagoland have volunteered their time and devoted their hearts to empower more than ten thousand young girls with the confidence and character they need to become healthy, strong women. GOTRC's program serves girls in 3rd-8th grade. More than just a running program or an after school club, Girls on the Run uses a cutting-edge curriculum that addresses the unique developmental stages of pre-teen girls. The fun, innovative program combines training for a 5K run with interactive lessons that encourage positive development. Volunteer coaches guide and mentor girls through fun and uplifting interactive activities. Throughout the 12-week season, all participants take part in a community service project. At the end of the season, the girls participate in a 5K run as their capstone achievement. REI's grant will supporting training for GOTRC's 400+ volunteer coaches, and bus transporation for the girls to attend the final 5K race. Thanks to REI's support, GOTRC is better able to run its programs and expand its reach to more communities.

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) $10,000
YCC Summer Program and Waukegan Beach Cleanup
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Summer Program works in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserve to provide environmental education and leadership development to 16-18 year old high school youth by engaging them in conservation projects. The Goals of the YCC Summer Program are to foster an appreciation and respect for the environment--helping to create lifelong stewards--while completing important conservation projects on public lands that would not be accomplished without the efforts of the summer program participants. REI's funds will support additional youth participation in YCC summer Program and aid in the increase of volunteers for the Waukegan Beach clean up project by providing supplies and equipment.

Camp Fire USA Illinois Prairie Council $4,400
Outdoor Adventure Experience
Camp Fire USA's core values emphasize the power of nature to awaken a child's senses, curiosity, and a desire to learn. In order to help children experience nature and its benefits, Camp Fire USA is committed to incorporating outdoor activities in its program curriculum. REI's grant will provide resources for Counselors In Training (CITs) with Camp Fire USA's summer camp program to take part in service projects. CITs will also take part in hikes and outdoor experiential lessons about nature and the environment. REI funds will also provide opportunities for partner agencies who work with economically disadvantaged communities to take part in outdoor education programs. All programs include hiking and some programs include camping. Many of the children that Camp Fire USA serves would not otherwise have access to outdoor programming and will experience the outdoors for the first time through the support of REI's funding.

The Morton Arboretum $5,000
Growing Environmental Stewards
The Morton Arboretum is working to inspire people to become good stewards of the earth and lifelong students of nature. Unique among Chicago's visitor destinations, The Morton Arboretum is a 1,700-acre outdoor living museum which serves as a vital community resource for nature education, outdoor recreation, artistic expression, and scientific study. Key components of the Arboretum's efforts to connect children with nature are our Youth and Family Education Programs and Summer Science Camps. Each year thousands of children attend programs at The Morton Arboretum promoting the benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle and the protection and enhancement of our shared natural spaces. REI's grant will provide educational materials and supplies for the Morton Arboretum's Family Education Programs and Summer Science Camps.

CAMBr / RIDE Inc Chicago Area Mountain Bikers $5,000
Carpentersville Pump Track Park (CPTP)
The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers -- North (CAMBr) will use REI's grant funds to develop and maintain a new outdoor mountain biking facility, the Carpentersville Pump Track Park (CPTP). The CPTP will be located in the Village of Carpentersville and run through collaboration between the Dundee Township Park District, volunteers from the community and CAMBr North. The CPTP will provide a unique mountain biking skills development opportunity for Chicagoland residents, including a beginner and advanced tracks to challenge the novice and expert rider. REI's grant will provide equipment and materials for volunteers to help construct and maintain the track.

  • Cost: Free

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