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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Bernie Cup

Signature golf friendraiser 

Join us for a casual day of golf and fellowship in support of Bernie’s Book Bank. 2-Player teams, handicapped. Play your own ball.

2025 Bernie Cup Series

 

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A Safe Place’s 23rd Annual Drive Out Domestic Violence Golf Outing

Monday, August 11, 2025

Briarwood Country Club

Deerfield, IL 60015

11:00AM Registration and Lunch

1:00PM Shotgun Start

5:00PM Cocktail Hour

6:00PM Dinner and Program

For information or to Register

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Northern Illinois Food Bank

Hunger Scramble Golf Outing

August 18, 2025 | White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville

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.

Learn more

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Northern Illinois Food Bank

Smash Hunger Classic Pickleball Tournament

August 18, 2025 | White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville

Join Us for the Inaugural Smash Hunger Classic Pickleball Tournament!

Be part of something exciting and new! The Smash Hunger Classic is a doubles pickleball tournament and the latest addition to Northern Illinois Food Bank’s signature fundraising events, and it’s happening on August 18th at White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville – the same day and location as our 27th Annual Hunger Scramble Golf Outing!

Space is limited, so don’t wait! The tournament will begin at 10:30 AM (check-in begins at 10:00 AM). All players are guaranteed at least three games, and registration includes food and drinks during play and at the awards ceremony reception after the tournament at approx. 2:30 PM.

Register Now

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SOLD OUT

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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PADS Casino Royale: A Night of Chance and Change. 

Saturday, Sept 20, at 6:30 PM | Tighthead Brewing Company – Mundelein

Tickets  $80 if purchased before 7/11 or $100 after

 

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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

Enjoy a fun and meaningful day of giving, featuring volunteering, kid-friendly activities, entertainment, and light refreshments, all in support of Bernie’s Book Bank. This year’s children’s book theme is The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, bringing the magical world of Oz to life for all ages! Join us on Saturday November 8th, 2025 in Chicagoland and on November 19th and 20th in Greater Milwaukee for Booksgiving 2025.

For tickets or sponsorship

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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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13th Annual Celebration

Crafting a Better Tomorrow

October 16, 2025 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Double Clutch Brewing Company |2121 Ashland Ave, Evanston

Support Curt’s Cafe and our mission while enjoying a reception, silent auction, dinner and program

Silent Auction Opens October 9 at 12:00 PM  |  Closes: October 16 at 7:30 PM

Buy tickets          Browse, Bid or Buy Auction Items

 

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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

The 2025 Patrick Mannelly Award will take place at Bernie’s Book Bank’s Lake Bluff facility on December 13th

 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.

For tickets or sponsorship

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Northern Illinois Food Bank

A Cup of Hope

Sunday, March 1, 2026 | Abbington Banquets, Glen Ellyn
This elegant afternoon tea, hosted by our Executive Women’s Council, brings our community together to support neighbors facing hunger. Enjoy tea, light bites, live entertainment, and take part in our exciting silent auction and raffle. All proceeds help provide nutritious meals across Northern Illinois.   Watch for more information. 

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Northern Illinois Food Bank

Fight Hunger 10k|5k|Fun Run

Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Cantigny Park, Wheaton
Enjoy a 10K, 5K, or 1-mile run/walk with beautiful routes through CANTIGNY PARK in Wheaton on May 2, 2026.

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Grayslake Lions Club

Grayslake Lions Coffee

The Grayslake Lion Club has an ongoing fundraiser selling ground or whole bean coffee delivered right to your door.  It is 100% Arabica coffee made in small batches, roasted in the Midwest.  They have light, medium and dark roast levels plus decafs from Guatemala and Brazil.  Each 12oz bag is $15 and our organization receives a commission for each sale.  Feel free to order directly at our website: GrayslakeLions | Javajiveroasters or find us at the Grayslake Farmers Market in the Spring and Fall of 2023 or contact a Grayslake Lion directly at [email protected].
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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 .

Blanket Day

Second Saturday of odd numbered months
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
1133 Pfingsten, Northbrook, IL
Join the fun at the Gloria Dei Church for a day of blanket making. We usually have 60-80 blanketeers sewing Kids Helping Kids squares, knitting and crocheting beautiful afghans and tying the fringe or crocheting edges on fleece blankets. We process between 600 – 1000 blankets at each meeting. There is usually a table full of fabric and yarn where the price is right – FREE! Of course, please stay as long as your schedule allows. Bring a bag lunch if you want to stay through lunch. Drinks and sweets are always ready to keep you full of energy. Just for fun, we have a table of small door prizes which are given out throughout the day. It is a wonderful day of making new friends, chatting with old friends and learning new techniques. It is always fun to see the other blankets that people create. Such talented blanketeers we have! Reservations are a must so call Judi at 847-498-3987 or email her at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!