Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 – The Chicago Charity Challenge, a Chicago- based nonprofit announced the 2016 winners at their annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. Inspired by Call One employees' dedication to community service, the Charity Challenge was created to motivate other corporate groups to work together on behalf of those in need.
The project partnered dozens of Chicagoland's business leaders, such as Quaker, Starbucks, Groupon, Mesirow Financial, and CNA Insurance, with some of the city's most impactful charities addressing issues including hunger, homelessness, education, poverty, disability and disease.
During a successful three-year span, Charity Challenge teams raised more than $33 million and volunteered nearly 100,000 hours while building long-term, meaningful relationships that will undoubtedly continue to reap benefits for both businesses and charitable organizations for years to come.
The evening consisted of five awards highlighting stand-out contributions and kicked-off with the Philanthropy Award which featured the two companies that raised the most money for their charity. Kolcraft proudly accepted for their work in raising over $350 per employee for the March of Dimes and GGP accepted for their almost $20,000 contribution to Open Books.
Co-founder Terry Foster pointed out the contributions of each team, and how the charitable attitude of these corporations helped communities throughout Chicago.
“The charitable offerings from each of these teams has really made an impact here,” she said. “We are proud to work with these organizations.”
The ceremony continued by acknowledging Motorola Mobility and NSCA Athletic Recruiting with the Issue Impact Award for their work with Citizen Schools and The Sports Shed respectively. In addition, Latham & Watkins and The Scion Group won the Helping Hands Award. Throughout 2016 Latham & Watkins employees contributed to their partner charity, Do The Write Thing and The Scion Group partnered with Horizons For Youth.
Mesirow Group and CNA were also highlighted with the Community Impact Award. This is the second year in a row that Mesirow Group has won this award for their donations of money and time to the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council as CNA joined the winning ranks for their contributions to Chicago Lights.
The final award of the evening was the Grand Prize GiveBack award which recognized overall contributions through money donated, time volunteered, and extraordinary impact on an issue and community. The Chicago Fire Soccer Club and its partner charity, Chicago Fire Foundation, gladly accepted the $10,000 prize. The club had nearly one hundred percent employee participation and raised $230,000 in donations which allowed the Chicago Fire Foundation to make an outstanding impact on hundreds of children on Chicago’s south and west sides.
Craig Foster, one of the Chicago Charity Challenge founders, expressed his gratitude.
“It has been our privilege to work with all of you and to be just a small part of your large accomplishments,” Foster said.
Within three years, the Charity Challenge built countless relationships which provided vital funds and volunteer hours to some of the most impactful charities in Chicago. It inspired employees and brought needed awareness throughout a number of communities. The awards ceremony was another way in which the Chicago Charity Challenge has motivated businesses to give back through annual competition.
About the Chicago Charity Challenge
The Chicago Charity Challenge is a volunteer and fundraising competition that teams businesses with charities to motivate, support, and reward employee giving. A registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Charity Challenge works with companies and their select nonprofits to collaborate throughout the year to support causes and win monetary awards for their charity partner. Sponsors include Call One, MB Financial Charitable Foundation, BKD CPA’s & Advisors, Mandell Menkes LLC, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, the Chicago Tribune and Michelle Damico Communications. For more information, go to ChicagoChaCha.org or follow Chicago Charity Challenge on Twitter (@ChicagoChaCha), on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.
About Call One
Call One®, a Chicago-based company, helps businesses simplify their complex needs by providing effective solutions for converging telecommunication technologies. Since 1992, Call One's® foundation has been built upon expert personnel, innovative engineering and focused client services. Visit www.callone.com to find out how we can help you simplify.