We are proud to announce that we have been selected to be the recipients of the charity raffle proceeds from the Windy City Collectors BDC 3^rd Annual Club Dinner.  The dinner is to be held on Saturday, March 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn at 2390 South River Road in Des Plaines Illinois. 

The Windy City Collector’s Barbie Doll Club (http://windycitycollectors.org/index.html) was founded in March of 1992 by Julie Bronski.  Because of her love for Barbie, Julie wanted to create a forum for Chicago-area Barbie doll collectors to interact.  Initially, the general purpose of the club was for collectors and lovers of Barbie to share their passion with fellow enthusiasts.  They have since broadened their audience to include those who love fashion dolls, but Barbie is still their favorite doll.

In addition to monthly meetings where they get together to share and show-off their
latest treasures, they have two annual programs to benefit the community.  Each year,
they sponsor a Doll Display and Raffle as part of the Our Favorite Doll Show.  
Proceeds benefit a chosen charity.  Past benefactors have included CAFF, Make-A-
Wish of Illinois and PAWS.  Each Christmas season, they have a toy drive where they
collect and deliver toys to an area shelters.  Additionally, they have serviced the
community in other ways including food drives and sending supplies to the Katrina
recovery effort.

It's Not Just A Game - Extended for 2011

We are continuing our "It's Not Just A Game" campaign through 2011.  Our goal is to purchase 5 internet connected gaming systems for the Hope Children’s Memorial Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois.  Please help us accomplish our goal by donating because It’s not just a game!  The gaming systems will allow children hospitalized with life threatening illnesses to connect with their family, friends and the world while also providing them with a distraction and maybe enough fun to bring a smile to their face. 

Like Matt, many children spend months in the hospital and have limited visitation because of compromised immune systems or because they are too weak to get out of bed.  Visitations may be further limited by how far family or friends live from the hospital.  Contact may consist of talking to family and friends on the phone or reading cards and letters that are sent to them.  There is not much in the way of entertainment other than TV with few channels and even video games get boring when you can only play them by yourself.  So as you can see, It’s not just a game!  These gaming systems can connect hospitalized children with the outside world.  That is why our first campaign purchases 5 internet connected gaming systems for the Hope Children’s Memorial Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. 

The MRMF is starting our Campaign with $1,500 from our General Fund.  You can track our progress on the “thermometer” scale on the right.  To donate, just click on the “Donations” tab above.  You can donate through Paypal or by sending us a check. 

Thank you for your support!

Please keep these dates in mind:

• July 17 – The Kickoff of our It’s not just a game 2010 Campaign
• September 18 – Herrick Middle School “Tree Planting Ceremony” honoring Matt.
• Silent Auction featuring sports memorabilia from Chicago sports teams. 
• TBD – DG 58 schools “Penny Wars” challenge

December 31 – Conclusion of our It’s not just a game 2010 Campaign

Here are the “nuts and bolts.”  Each gaming system is comprised of the following items: