Build the Backdrop for Your #GivingTuesday Story by Refining Your Community Needs Assessment Skills

The Nonprofit Utopia community will be hosting 2 free webinars to help nonprofit professionals strengthen their community assessment skills.  Facilitated by Valerie F. Leonard, the community’s founder, the webinars will provide an overview of the community assessment process and help participants demonstrate need, even in communities that seem to be over-resourced.

MadeGood Foods in collaboration with My Dental Gallery and Razzmatazz Games & Grill host FREE Back to School Bash for Chicago’s south side area youth

To ensure children residing on the south side of Chicago are well equipped and excited to head back to school, MadeGood, a company dedicated to providing healthy snacks that are school safe, organic and rich in nutrients, is partnering with My Dental Gallery and Razzmatazz Games & Grill to host a first-of-its-kind Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 26 at 3900 S. Ashland Ave.

“The Back to School Bash is a part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring all students are well-equipped for the school year,” says Nima Fotovat, president of MadeGood Foods, Inc. “Because nearly two children in every classroom have a food allergy, we’re thrilled to provide book bags filled with school supplies and allergy-friendly, school-safe snacks for students to enjoy throughout the school day. We’re also thankful to USA Expo and American Family Insurance for jumping at this opportunity for additional support in making this a possibility”.

During the event, students will enjoy a variety of free products, including fully stocked book bags packed with MadeGood’s Granola Bars and Crispy Squares, free game cards for all-day play at Razzmatazz Games & Grill, and free dental cleanings from Dr. Ogbonna Bowden, DDS, owner of My Dental Gallery. To top it off, children can get free haircuts from award-winning barber Mark Lawrence, the owner of Shop Official, and up-and-coming barber, Martese Cole.

“We’re thrilled to host the Back to School Bash in partnership with MadeGood and My Dental Gallery,” said Simon Horwell, general manager at Razzmatazz Games & Grill. The celebration is another avenue for children to authentically be themselves and enjoy the experience, innocence and fun of being a child, in a safe setting, and we’re pleased to be a part of this experience.”

“As someone born and bred on Chicago’s South Side, I respond to any opportunity to give back to my community and this event is a great example of business leaders coming together to influence our youth positively,” said Dr. Ogbonna Bowden DDS, owner of My Dental Gallery. “Every child should have access to dental care, but that’s not always the case. It’s my hope that free cleanings for students will ensure each child shows up for their first day of school with fresh and clean pearly whites.”

About MadeGood

MadeGood® is dedicated to providing healthy snacks that are rich in nutrients, allergy friendly and minimally processed. All products contain wholesome and organic ingredients that are ethically sourced. MadeGood is a good choice for your health, your family’s health and the planet’s health. Trust in something better. For more details, visit madegoodfoods.com or follow @madegoodfoods on Twitter.  

About Razzmatazz Games & Grill

Located on Chicago’s South Side, Razzmatazz Games & Grill is a 20,000-square foot indoor entertainment complex with thrilling games, attractions and slides for adults and kids of all ages. The entertainment center has over 80 games, Route 66 bowling, bouncy houses and inflatable slides, as well as a full service bar and restaurant. Open daily, it hosts birthday parties and event outings for any group type. Visit razzmatazzchicago.com to learn more.

About Chicago Indoor Sports

Located next to Razzmatazz, Chicago Indoor Sports is Chicagoland’s premiere 90,000 square-foot indoor sports facility, featuring state-of-the-art turf fields and a basketball court. Additionally, the facility hosts special events, trade shows and conventions. Guests can always enjoy delicious meals and cocktails at the full service bar. Visit chicagoindoorsports.com to learn more.

About My Dental Gallery

My Dental Gallery is a state-of-the-art facility that utilizes the latest technology to provide patients with the highest quality dental care. Boasting a wide variety of services and procedures, My Dental Gallery can help you enjoy a restored and vibrant smile. Visit our Woodlawn Chicago Dental offices to enjoy special amenities, including cell phone charging stations, cable television, custom music options, and ultra-leather reclining chairs.

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Transformation: Making The Electric Grid Smart

The six-year ComEd Smart Grid journey transformed the electric grid, boosted the local economy with new jobs, helped small businesses grow and resulted in record-breaking reliability, fewer outages, faster restorations, thousands of jobs and more control for customers.

What You Should Be Doing Right Now to Prepare for #GivingTuesday and #ILGive

It’s August, 2018, and #GivingTuesday is November 27th. What should you be doing right now to ensure that your campaign is successful?  Here is a timeline of recommended activities from the Complete Toolkit published by #GivingTuesday.  Visit www.givingtuesday.org to register  for #GivingTuesday and to download the toolkit and other valuable resources.  If you are an Illinois nonprofit, also register at #ILGive at https://www.ilgive.com.  You should also review their timeline and download their resources. 

Back to Bud: New Parade Leadership Gets Back to Basics

One of the most anticipated days of the summer is approaching. The second Saturday in August has become known in Chicago as the day when neighbors sit out in lawn chairs along King Drive, barbecue pits are fired up on the South Side, kids run freely behind the barricades awaiting the South Shore Drill Team, the Jesse White tumblers, and …

Community Leaders Hope to Inspire Auburn-Gresham with 13th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival

For the past 13 years, community leaders have managed to transform Auburn-Gresham area into a peaceful, approachable neighborhood for families of all ages to enjoy the 79th Street Renaissance Festival. Their work continues to inspire and promote change in the community in hopes of expanding the festival to cater to an even larger audience for years to come.

School’s out, now all you hear is “I’m Bored!” – Razzmatazz can change that!

Razzmatazz, the family fun center, and Chicago Indoor Sports, a multipurpose sports facility, are two of Chicago’s most hidden gems. Based on Chicago’s South-West side, this joint facility offers entertainment for the entire family.

Razzmatazz is equipped with games that are suitable for all ages. Ranging from one or two player immersive video games, such as Jurassic World and Aliens Armageddon, to physical interactive experiences like Down the Clown or Color Crush. Over 70% of the games and attractions offer a chance to win points that can be exchanged for prizes varying between small candy and PS4! Razzmatazz also has a restaurant serving items such as chicken, pizza, nachos, and loaded fries. Alongside the restaurant, there’s a bar serving specialty drinks.

Attached to Razzmatazz is Chicago Indoor Sports, also referred to as CIS. Chicago Indoor Sports is a purpose built, indoor sports facility. With fields that are optimally designed to ensure the very best sporting experience; no matter your pursuit. Visitors are able to enjoy soccer, lacrosse, flag football, field hockey, frisbee, bubble soccer, rugby and cricket activities year round. All of the fields are installed using the highest quality materials available. CIS has the very latest in indoor turf technology to provide an incredible playing experience and professional grade tempered glass to surround the playing areas. Inside of CIS there is Mike’s Blue Flame Lounge. A full service bar with views of the fields serving a variety of beers in additional to a wide selection of top shelf and well liquors. There are three large HD TV’s situated inside, all showing the best sporting action from around the world.

This 20,000 square-feet, two-for-one spot, is perfect for food, drinks, games, and indoor sporting attractions. Additionally offering a space for  birthday parties, conventions, trade shows and private events.

For more information, please visit Razzmatazz and Chicago Indoor Sports websites.