Latest news with #BigEvent
Chicago Tribune
02-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Regional superintendent, Fortune Brands honored at Lake County Partners' Big Event
Michael Karner's job as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools focuses, in large part, on educating the children who can sometimes be a challenge for the county's 47 public school districts. Between operating the Regional Safe School for students who need placement outside their home district, offering classrooms for a student who may be suspended for a few days and creating a statewide virtual school, Karner continues to find innovative ways to educate. 'We established the Safe School for grades six through 12 for students when they needed an alternative placement,' he said. 'We give them what they need when their home district can't.' Getting the attention of the business community, Karner started Career Navig8 Lake County for middle and high school students to expose them to potential careers at a young age so they can incorporate it into their education. Karner received the Lake County Partners Talent Advancement Award on Thursday at the organization's annual Big Event in Lincolnshire in front of more than 500 people for his shaping of career pathways, among other achievements. 'Dr. Karner is a superstar in the education space, and the complete list of his accomplishments would blow you away,' said Steve Madden, the chair of the Lake County Partners Board of Governors. 'He has ushered in transformative thoughts, concepts and programs at the cutting-edge of education.' Along with Karner, Deerfield-based Fortune Brands — operator of more than 15 lines, including Moen, Master Lock and Sentry Safe — received the Community Investment Award as it makes a major investment in its corporate headquarters. Madden and Lake County Partners President and CEO Kevin Considine talked about the growth of business in the county over the past year, and future expectations. The crowd also learned about the makings of good locations for business from real estate economist Joshua Harris. Last year, Madden said businesses made $1.43 billion in capital investments, added 4,000 new jobs and, in part through Lake County Partners' efforts, kept 2,500 existing jobs from relocating across the state line to Wisconsin or other locations. Joining with Chicago and six other suburban counties including Cook, Madden said Lake County Partners formed the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. Members including Considine and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, traveled abroad selling the area to companies. 'We're not just individual organizations, cities or counties,' he said. 'Together, we're a powerhouse with unmatched competitive advantages and a high quality of life, and we want site selectors, business leaders, investors and talent to know it.' Appointed school superintendent in 2021 by Hart upon the retirement of Roycealee Wood, Karner was elected to the position in 2022. He has worked with state and federal officials to obtain $18 million in grants to fund many of the programs. After inaugurating the Safe School, Karner said he started the Illinois Virtual School in 2022, offering online learning to 10,000 students statewide, from kindergarten through high school seniors. Each time a student passes a course, their home district is reimbursed for the expense. The Navig8 Lake County career fair in October drew 4,200 middle and high school students to learn what 100 employers do. Karner said he also started a care navigation service to help find mental and physical health care. 'It gives one-on-one service to help people find health care appointments,' he said. 'It has changed a four-month wait to four days in Lake County. It is primarily for mental health needs.' Fortune Brands is making a major expansion of its Deerfield headquarters. Leigh Avsec, the company's executive vice president for external affairs, said for the first time the corporate staff of all of the company's brands will be housed in one place. Some of Fortune Brands' businesses are well known to consumers, like Master Lock. Avsec said the others are very well known in their industry. She talked about how their safes preserved valuables when people had to flee a disaster. 'People had three minutes to flee,' Avsec said. 'When they returned (almost) everything was lost. When they opened the safe, all their valuables were there — their papers, their jewelry. It was all there.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redford food pantry holds May 8 fundraiser after deep federal aid cuts
The Brief Redford Interfaith Relief on Beech Daly offers free food and supplies to those in the community who need it most. Cuts in federal aid by the Trump administration has caused a 35 to 40 percent shortfall in food funding. The Big Event fundraiser is set for May 8 at Redford Union to help the food pantry raise money. REDFORD TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Volunteers are hard at work prepping for shoppers at Redford Interfaith Relief. Big picture view Wednesday is delivery day at the food pantry and soon the shoppers will make their monthly trip to the store - where everything is free. "This place has really been a godsend," said shopper Sabrina Towns. Towns discovered Redford Interfaith Relief when she was going through a divorce and raising her two sons. "This program is amazing," said Robin Simmons. Simmons had lost her job and was on disability - trying to feed her family. "It has helped my family out - relieved stress and pressure off of me - just by giving," she said. "It's not like they pack a box for you - you actually shop for yourself - based on the needs of your family - the size of your family." "I can focus on other bills - by coming to this program - so I appreciate it - to the fullest." She also volunteers there - it's a small but mighty operation. The number of families in need - has doubled. "We serve up to about 350 households monthly right now," said executive director Angela Wolf. "And we also deliver to about 60 homebound seniors as well." But most of their funding comes from the federal government - and the Trump administration has stopped sending aid. "Right now our funding that's been on hold is through the emergency food and shelter program and that's about 35 to 40 percent of our food funding," said CCC And that's a serious problem - they need to find other sources of revenue to continue this safety net. Keeping families fed is the priority there - and they have a big event - The Big Event. And you can get involved and help them keep these shelves stocked. It's coming up May 8th at Redford Union High School - with great food and auction items - lots of fun - providing a whole lot of help. "Almost everything has been donated - so it's all profit that can go to feed the community," said David Zarek, Redford Interfaith Relief. "The more people we get we won't have to worry about the budget shortfalls that way." Visit to get your tickets and more information about this incredible community resource, that needs a little help of its own. The Source Interviews with members of Redford Interfaith Relief were used in this story.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands of Aggies to give back in The Big Event
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) – The largest single-day student-led service event in the nation will be happening in the Brazos Valley this Saturday! Texas A&M University's Big Event was introduced in 1982, and since then has brought tens of thousands of students together to say 'Thank You' to residents of Bryan and College Station. Aggies will complete service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting for residents of the community. The message and the mission for The Big Event remains the same — to simply say 'Thank You.' It is a proud member of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M, and a recognized student organization of the university. The timeline for The Big Event is below: 8 a.m. — Volunteer check-in begins at Aggie Park with vendors and entertainment. Individuals in white polos, Executive members and Directors, are available for quotes. 8-9:30 a.m. — Kickoff ceremony begins. Speeches are given from Head Volleyball Coach Jamey Morrison, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Reber, Student Body President Cade Coppinger, and Director Becca Dawson and Associate Director Juliana Perez. 9:30 a.m. — Cannon fires releasing volunteers to tool distribution. 9:45-10:15 a.m. — Volunteers head to tool distribution, picking up various tools needed for their jobs in Lot 97 on campus. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. — Volunteers head to their job sites and start work. 2 p.m. ~ EOD — Tool return at Lot 97 from volunteers, and clean up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
