Area Events to Support Charities
Many of the charities supported by the United Protestant Church hold their own fundraisers such as galas, races and golf events and awareness events.
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A Safe Place EmpoweRun/Walk 5K
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Independence Grove Forest Preserve
16400 Buckley Road, Libertyville
7:30am Onsite Registration Opens
8:30am Opening Ceremony
9:00am Race Begins
10:15am Closing Ceremony & Awards
Pricing
Registration March 1 through May 2nd, 2025
$35/Children 5 years old and under, $15
Day of Registration
$45/Children 5 years old and under, $15
What is the EMPOWERUN 5K?
The 13th annual A Safe Place EMPOWERUN/WALK 5K is a dynamic fundraising event uniting 400+ runners, friends, and supporters for a memorable spring day. Together, we run, walk, or donate to aid survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking while supporting vital programs for Chicagoland families.
Funds raised at the EMPOWERUN/WALK 5K enable us to sustain our comprehensive services for families affected by domestic violence and human trafficking, while also advancing community awareness of the profound impact and repercussions of violence. As the primary service provider in Lake County dedicated solely to supporting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, A Safe Place plays a vital role in addressing these critical issues within our community.
A Safe Place offers comprehensive programs aimed at helping survivors and their children rebuild their lives post-domestic violence, while also tackling the root causes through abuser intervention initiatives. Additionally, our community education efforts raise awareness about domestic violence and human trafficking, empowering individuals to take action towards their eradication. In the past year alone, A Safe Place reached over 32,000 community members, highlighting our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.
Our services include emergency shelter, permanent housing, a 24-hour crisis line 800-600-SAFE (7233), advocacy, therapy for individuals and children, support groups, art therapy, family visitation, monitored custody exchanges, batterer intervention, prevention education in schools, and community training.
Click here to learn more or register.
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Northern Illinois Food Bank
Fight Hunger 10K, 5K + Kids Mile
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Cantigny Park
1 S, 151 Winfield Rd
Wheaton, IL
Join us for the 12th annual Fight Hunger 10K, 5K + Kids Mile, returning to Cantigny Park in Wheaton on May 3, 2025. Expect a morning filled with delicious food, fitness, fun, and entertainment for the whole family. This memorable event unites over 1,500 individuals, spanning all ages and backgrounds, in a shared mission to support our Northern Illinois neighbors and cultivate vibrant, flourishing communities.
5 or 10K: Experience the picturesque surroundings of Cantigny Park, followed by the much-anticipated festival. As you cross the finish line, you’ll be greeted with a free beer or non-alcoholic option from Revolution Brewing, food trucks, music, treats from our generous sponsors, and the Kids Zone filled with activities for the family.
Kids’ Mile: Short and sweet, this enjoyable route spans a little over a mile, swiftly guiding you from start to finish. Ideal for walkers, and kids of all ages. As you cross the finish line, you’ll be greeted with food trucks, music, treats courtesy of our generous event sponsors, and the Kids Zone filled with activities for the family.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Feed My Starving Children Spring Gala
Saturday, May 3, 2025
6:00 -9:30PM
Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace IL.
Presenter John Paul Kiffasi, executive director of Irene Gleeson Foundation in Northern Uganda where they support 6,000 children.
Join us for a night of impact — where faith ignites action, generosity changes lives and every meal fuels a future. Together, we dream bigger.
- Bid on exclusive live auction items and enter to win unique raffle packages.
- Shop beautifully handcrafted items from FMSC MarketPlace™.
- Hear FMSC food partner John Paul Kiffasi of the Irene Gleeson Foundation (Uganda).
- Give to feed kids and transform lives.
Event details
- Location: Drury Lane (100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL)
- Time: Doors open 6 p.m. Program with plated dinner, 7-9:30 p.m.
- Attire: Semi-formal
- Dinner: Included with registration. All meals include dessert, coffee, salad and choice of entree. See full menu »
Learn more about this year’s speakers »
Preview auction and raffle packages »
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A Safe Place
Wine, Women & Shoes
May 16, 2025
6-9 PM
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Step Into a World of Glamour, Giving, and Good Times!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at Wine Women & Shoes – the ultimate blend of fashion, philanthropy, and fun, all to support A Safe Place’s vital mission. Join us on May 16th at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort for a night that will leave you inspired and empowered.
Indulge in:
✨ Wine Tastings – Savor exquisite wines from top-tier vintners.
✨ Delicious Hors d’Oeuvres & Desserts – Enjoy an array of delectable bites and sweet treats.
✨ Shopping Heaven – Browse a chic marketplace of fabulous fashion, accessories, and must-have finds.
✨ Dazzling Fashion Show – Be captivated by the latest runway trends.
✨ Key to the Closet Raffle – Win a treasure trove of luxury items.
✨ Wall of Wine – Participate in our $25 Blind Box Wine Pull for a chance to take home a hidden gem.
✨ Exclusive Auctions – Bid on unique experiences and premium packages.
✨ Fabulous Swag Bags – Take home a collection of carefully curated items to make the night even more memorable.
✨ Commemorative Wine Glass – Raise a toast with a keepsake glass to remember the evening.
Wine Women & Shoes isn’t just an event – it’s an experience that brings together our vibrant community to make a difference. Every sip, every bid, and every step helps provide critical support for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Mark your calendar, grab your friends, and let’s step into a brighter future together. Tickets available soon – don’t miss the chance to be part of something truly special!
Click here to register or for more information.
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Lake County Haven 2025 Gala
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Avante Banquet
1050 Northwest Highway
Fox River Grove, IL
$200 General Admission: includes dinner, open bar, entertainment and late night snack
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Northern Illinois Food Bank
A Taste That Matters
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Drury Lane Theatre & Eve
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
6:00-09:00PM
A culinary event benefitting Northern Illinois Food Bank presented by Jewel-Osco.
Join us as we come together to empower our neighbors who are currently facing food insecurity in Northern Illinois. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with food, friends, and an extensive silent auction while giving back to those who need us most.
How you can help:
- Restaurants/Local Chefs: Showcase your favorite dish with a tasting station
- Get exposure for your business as an Event Sponsor
- Help plan the event by collecting auction items/packages, recruit tasting stations and sell tickets
- Volunteer on event day
Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.
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BERNIE’S Book Lovers Lunch
Spring 2025
Enjoy an exclusive and inspiring afternoon with a celebrated author. The program will feature a captivating talk by the author, a delicious lunch, and an engaging audience Q&A, all in support of Bernie’s Book Bank. Join us on Thursday, May 22nd featuring Renée Rosen in Greater Milwaukee and Friday, May 30th with Shelby Van Pelt in Chicagoland for Book Lovers’ Lunch 2025.
Chicagoland:
Shelby Van Pelt is a New York Times bestselling author known for her heartfelt and imaginative storytelling. A lifelong lover of books, she grew up in the Pacific Northwest and now resides in Chicago with her family. Her debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures, published in 2022, quickly captured readers with its unique blend of warmth, wit, and emotional depth. When she’s not writing, Van Pelt enjoys exploring nature, indulging in good stories, and spending time with her loved ones.
Schedule
11:30 AM | VIP Reception
12:00 PM | Guest Arrival
12:30 PM | Lunch & Program
2:00 PM | Event Concludes
Milwaukee area:
Known for crafting well-researched and fascinating backstories of moments in history, Renée Rosen is back to do it again with her new novel, LET’S CALL HER BARBIE, which follows the creative rebels behind Barbie, including Ruth Handler.
Schedule
11:00 AM | VIP Reception
11:30 AM | Guest Arrival
12:00 PM | Lunch & Program
1:00 PM | Event Concludes
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Saturday, June 21, 2025
Fox River Park
Waukesha, Wi
We invite you to lace up your sneakers and join us on Saturday, June 21st for our annual Stroll for Soles event at Fox River Park in Waukesha! This is a fun celebration for the whole family, as well as a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the impact of shoes and the Gospel across Africa. Choose a one or two mile route (both are stroller or wheelchair accessible), followed by a delicious lunch and fun for all ages! NEW this year: for the first time in Stroll history, Bernie Brewer™ will be making a special appearance and we are renting a huge party tent for all to enjoy lunch under the canopy.
Registration begins on March 27th for individuals, families, and teams, so be sure to take advantage of the Early Bird Pricing while you can! Your registration includes t-shirt(s), food truck lunch and shaved ice treat, parking, and access to all activities.
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BERNIE’S Birdies & Books
A charity golf clasic
Monday, August 25, 2025
Shoreacres
1601 Shoreacres Rd
Lake Bluff, IL
Birdies & Books is the longest-running fundraising event for Bernie’s Book Bank. This signature event affords players a meaningful and exclusive golf experience at the prestigious Shoreacres. Sponsorships help Bernie’s Book Bank create pathways to success through book ownership. Save the date!
4-Player Teams. Play your own ball.
Click here to register or for more information.
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A Safe Place Golf Outing
August 2025 (TBD)
Stay tuned for more information.
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Northern Illinois Food Bank
Hunger Scramble Golf Outing
An annual event, presented by Old Second National Bank, when golfers enjoy a round of golf, food/drinks, fun games, and an extensive raffle/silent auction on a beautiful course with colleagues, customers, partners and friends.
How you can help:
- Get exposure for your business as an Event Sponsor
- Register to golf
- Help plan the event by collecting auction items/packages, recruit golfers and sponsors, and brainstorm ways we can make the event memorable and impactful.
- Volunteer on event day.
Watch for more information.
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Walk Event Date:
September 27, 2025
Location:
Montrose Harbor
601 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL
Schedule:
Check In: 9:00 AM
Event Start Time: 10:30 AM
The Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk is a 1-3 mile fundraising walk, designed to engage the community in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death. It raises funds to continue it research, advocacy, education and support projects.
Click here to register or support a walker or to volunteer to help at the walk.
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BERNIE’S Booksgiving
Fall 2025
Stay tuned as updates are announced.
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Northern Illinois Food Bank
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2025 | Join the Northern Illinois Food Bank Team
October 12, 2025
Grant Park
When you run the Chicago Marathon for Northern Illinois Food Bank, your miles mean more.
Why?
Because you’ll be fundraising for 570K neighbors facing hunger in Northern Illinois!
Sign up now and join a marathon team that makes a difference!
Perks of joining the Northern Illinois Food Bank Charity Marathon Team:
- Guaranteed entry into the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
- Choice of Team Athletic Singlet or Training T-Shirt
- Free Registration to the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Fight Hunger 5K in April
- Discount code for the Fight Hunger 5K event to share with friends and family
- Team Volunteering Opportunities & Meet-up
- Virtual Training Program with Coach Seth Kopf
- Race Day Charity Row Support and Cheer Squad
Click here to register or get more information.
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A Safe Place Unmask the Violence Gala
October 18, 2025
Stay tuned for more information.
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You are Invited to our 16th Year Celebration!
Luncheon & Auction will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at the Brookfield Conference Center.
Stay tuned for more information.
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PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD
BERNIE’S BOOK BANK IS PROUD TO BE THE BENEFICIARY OF THE PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD
Bernie’s Book Bank is a proud beneficiary and charity partner for the Patrick Mannelly Award, celebrating the best college Long Snappers in the country. Stay tuned as updates are announced.
With shared values of excellence, integrity, effectiveness, teamwork, and balance, both the Patrick Mannelly Award and Bernie’s Book Bank aim for the award to be recognized by the National College Football Awards Association, which recognizes 25 awards on an annual basis. Recognition will not only acknowledge the incredible college Long Snappers, but it will also provide an opportunity for national awareness of Bernie’s Book Bank, which has the potential to benefit so many children.
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Grayslake Lions Club
Grayslake Lions Coffee
Project Linus
Gurnee Sit n’ Stitch
1st and 3rd Wednesday
10:00 AM – Noon
McDonald’s, 6380 Grand Ave (Rt. 132), Gurnee, ILL, 60031
Enjoy a fun morning of blanket making and conversation. They will have a yarn and fleece exchange on the 3rd Wednesday. Grab your current project and meet at McDonald’s in front of Gurnee Mills .