Latest news with #OriginPoint
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
BEDS Plus fundraiser puts spotlight on survivors of domestic violence
Five years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin Molek asked her friend Mike McNamara to help her raise money for women who had experienced domestic violence. In her work at BEDS Plus, the La Grange non-profit addressing homelessness in the southwest suburbs, she had noticed a surge in battered women needing assistance. McNamara, a mortgage banker with OriginPoint, said Molek requested help raising money. 'She said we're paying for hotels and for people to find safety,' he recalled. 'So I did.' But it was tricky trying to organize events amid the pandemic, he said, as sheltering in place became the rule of the day. But BEDS Plus supporters found a way. 'We got together and raised money,' McNamara said. 'It's great.' So began the tradition of the BEDS Plus yearly fundraiser specifically for battered women. This year's event, titled the Road to Independence, was at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield, directly across the street from the BEDS Plus facility in La Grange. About 150 people paid $30 each for tickets, which included an Imperial Oak Celebration Ale, live music, door prizes, a split the pot raffle and live auctions. There was also a Harley Davidson photo booth and access to Monk's Food Truck. 'It's a personal thing for me,' McNamara said, explaining that a family member had been in a long-term abusive relationship. 'She has been away from her abuser for 20 years, and she was with him for 19. She's doing much better, and she is here for the first time.' McNamara stressed abusive relationships are more common than many think. 'There are what I call the invisible women in every neighborhood, and you don't know it,' he said. 'They don't want you to know, that's why they're invisible. They're struggling with a level of domestic violence you probably don't know about. Donating to programs like BEDS Plus helps them get on their feet because they have the programs that will give them counseling and job assistance and, of course, safe housing, and the transportation to get to a job.' McNamara noted that having transportation was the main thing that allowed his sister to gain her independence and singled out Illinois Harley Davidson of Countryside for special thanks for their yearly support. 'We're just excited about the neighborhood feel and that everyone in the neighborhood is behind us,' said Molek, development manager at BEDS Plus. 'How our community comes out to support women who were victims is special.' Other BEDS Plus staff praised the turnout and support. 'This is always an amazing event and we're so appreciative of Mike and what he does for us,' said Terri Rivera, chief advancement officer. 'To bring awareness of the violence programs and assistance, and we appreciate the community coming out to support it.' Miriam Martinez, manager of families in transition, talked about her experiences with the organization. 'So I started working with BEDS Plus as a volunteer,' she said. 'And I was really passionate about working with the homeless population. I'd never had that experience before, so I was really happy to be involved.' Martinez talked about serving various functions at the organization before becoming involved with the victims of crime. 'A lot of the victims of crime that we were encountering were survivors of domestic violence and survivors of sexual assault.'
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Park Ridge ‘Wine Walk' brings together local businesses and area residents
Wine samplings, small bites, fellowship, pop-up tents and more filled Uptown Park Ridge as the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual 'Wine Walk' Sunday. on April 27. Twenty-one Park Ridge businesses — both new and long-standing — participated in the event, giving more than 250 attendees a chance to explore local shops and sip various wines. Tickets were priced at $45 per person and included a business passport checklist, goodie bags, souvenirs and entry into a raffle. 'The Wine Walk has been going on since approximately 2014. Some years we do more than one a year, but this year in 2025, we'll only be doing one,' said Jackie Mathews, executive director of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. 'It's an opportunity to explore our beautiful city, spend time in our beautiful businesses on a Sunday, and really visit businesses people haven't been to before- or ones they haven't visited in a while.' Since its inception, the Wine Walk has expanded, and chamber officials hope that growth continues. 'It's grown in attendance. Our businesses do such a beautiful job of really rolling out the red carpet for all those who are our guests,' Mathews said. 'They do a beautiful job of having little small bites, choosing a lovely wine, and we have options for those not partaking in wine. We've definitely made a concerted effort, thanks to our president, Jerry Kowalczyk. Since the event takes place in Uptown, we also invite businesses from North Park and South Park.' Harp and Fiddle, an American and Irish rustic-contemporary tavern established in 2016, served as the starting point of the Wine Walk. Businesses like Don Juan's Cantina and event sponsors Cooney Funeral Home, Chris Varco at Origin Point, The McGovern Group at RE/MAX Properties Northwest set up pop-up tents on the back patio. 'We do real estate here in Park Ridge, so seeing new homeowners come to this event and actually experience Park Ridge for the first time … it's awesome seeing that,' said Cassidy Gooding, a real estate broker for The McGovern Group, an original sponsor of the Wine Walk. 'Their faces light up just talking about being able to experience it, because you don't immediately go to 21 stops on your average Sunday.' At their pop-up tent, The McGovern Group and Chris Varco at Origin Point teamed up to offer Rosé and Spring Angel wine, along with a lip balm, headband and a special giveaway. Park Ridge residents Kimberly Walters and her daughter, Shea Walters, attended the event for the first time, calling it a perfect afternoon to spend together. 'It's my first time at this event. I've known of it, but I can't believe this is the first time because I do love everything in Park Ridge — and wine,' Kimberly Walters said. '[Shea] just got back in town. We're like, 'oh, this would be a great event to come out and spend a nice afternoon with my daughter' and again, support everything Park Ridge.' 2 Sisters Boutique A+L, an Uptown Park Ridge shop offering trendy clothing for women and men, was stop number 20 on the walk. The owners have participated in the event since it first began in 2014, and served rosé toward the back of their shop. 'There's a lot of new faces that I haven't seen before, and then many returning faces, which has been great. I just think it's wonderful that people are out, and they might not have been here before, but they're coming in here and seeing what we have to offer,' said Natalie Amabile, owner of 2 Sisters Boutique A+L. 'The weather has really helped. Everyone is in such a great mood, which makes it very fun.' Devin Kenny, a newer Park Ridge resident, attended with friends and it was her birthday. They spent the afternoon checking out businesses, sharing laughs, tasting snacks from local vendors and sipping some of their favorite wines. 'It's been wonderful weather, and checking out new businesses is great,' said Kenny. 'I like to get out, and we've already met brand new people. I love it.' 'I'm also newer here — five years — but I love that Park Ridge does so many things like this which helps me feel part of the community,' said Debbie Breit, who joined in celebrating Kenny's birthday. 'I didn't have that where I came from, so this is wonderful.' The next event the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is preparing for is 'Market After Dark,' officials said, returning for its second year. The event is expected to feature food trucks, drinks, music, vendors and other specialties, and will take place on May 31, June 21, and August 23 at the Park Ridge farmers market footprint.
