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 Twenty-five years ago, a small group of women in
Chicago’s South Suburbs found a recipe to help their
neighbors - women and children in need... From 1985
until today, the Abby Foundation’s mission has remained
constant: raise money and distribute it to established
nonprofit organizations, who
apply for a grant that help women and their
children and fund scholarships for both young women and
returning women.
In its early years, Abby women asked friends and
neighbors to join them at focus groups which eventually
grew into formal luncheons,. It was a simple recipe;
spend a little time and money and help a neighbor. The
first luncheon raised $2,000 that was quickly donated to
two established domestic violence shelters, the Crisis
Center for South Suburbia and the South Suburban Family
Shelter.
A board of directors and a membership component were
soon formed and as
luncheon attendance grew, breast
cancer awareness joined domestic violence prevention as
Abby beneficiaries. At the same time, a
scholarship
program was initiated.
Abby’s original 20
members became almost 100 in 2009 and
the board of directors hopes to continue growing that
membership so that more nonprofit organizations will
receive financial help. In its 25 years, the foundation
has distributed more than a million dollars through its
programs.
Membership is easy: Donate $100 per year
for an individual membership to the
foundation and attend the luncheon which features a
keynote speaker, a raffle, an
exhibit area for local
businesses and nonprofit organizations, an informational
program book that contains an A to Z
listing of
non profit organizations. Business memberships are also available
and include a business listing in the program book and
ticket to the Women Together luncheon.
At this year’s August luncheon, another Abby tradition
will continue, honoring local
women whose volunteer work
offers an extraordinary example to others.
Abby’s success since 1985 has been strengthened by the
support of the South Suburbs’ local newspaper, today’s
SouthtownStar.
The newspaper has yearly covered Abby’s story with both
editorial content and regular advertising space.
We invite you to click through our website and learn how
you can help your neighbors.
 Links:
Grant Application I
Woman of the Year Nomination
I
Women
Together Luncheon
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