Community

7th ANNUAL Back 2 School Distribution Event Breaks All Previous Records

12,500 Children Receive Free School Supplies

The Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation’s Back 2 School ’11 event on August 4 was a massive success. More than 150 volunteers distributed more than 375,000 school supplies in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Once again we set a new record for helping deserving children and their families.

We are now the largest program of it’s kind in the entire state! We were fortunate to have beautiful weather and some fun activities for those in attendance. We also were honored by special guests including, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, Alexei Ramirez from the Chicago White Sox, Alderman Ricardo Munoz and Alderman Danny Solis and team mascots from both the Chicago Fire and Chicago White Sox.

While the distribution event for 2011 is over, we are already hard at work on next years program. You can still make a contribution to buy school supplies by clicking on the link below.

A huge, “Thank you,” to all of the Currency Exchange owners, employees, and our customers that contributed time, energy and donations to this year’s efforts.

Make your Contribution to Buy School Supplies

$5.00 - Back To School Donation $10.00 - Back To School Donation $20.00 - Back To School Donation $25.00 - Back To School Donation $50.00 - Back To School Donation $75.00 - Back To School Donation $100.00 - Back To School Donation $150.00 - Back To School Donation $250.00 - Back To School Donation $500.00 - Back To School Donation All donations made to the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation, NFP are tax deductible to the extend allowable by law.

Donations go directly to purchase school supplies including notebooks, pens, folders, calculators, crayons, rulers, etc.

Back 2 School Program Partners and Sponsors:

2011 from 2010 Back 2 School Kickoff Event Pictures
2011 from 2010 Back 2 School Distribution Event Pictures

 

Currency Exchange Awards two $2,500 College Scholarship Awards to Zori Paul & Alexa Seda

Zori Paul – 2011 ICECF College Scholarship Winner

Zori Paul has been chosen to receive a 2011 ICECF College Scholarship Award.

Zori is a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, having achieved a 4.5 grade point average (on a 5.0 scale). During her high school career, Ms. Paul was on the honor roll and listed as a Principal Scholar for all four years. She served on the student council as well as the yearbook committee and was a participant in the poetry slam club. Ms. Paul is an accomplished flutist and performed as member of numerous bands and orchestra. She is an active congregant and serves as an usher for Sheperd's Community Church. Additionally, she participated in the Dinosaur Giants program of Project Exploration at the Field Museum of Chicago. Students become experts on dinosaurs, fossilization and extinction, and then serve as guides to museum visitors.

Ms. Paul will attend the University of Chicago this fall to pursue a degree in Psychology.

Alexa Seda – 2011 Tufano Family College Scholarship Winner

Alexa Seda has been chosen to receive the 2011 Tufano Family Scholarship Award. Alexa is a graduate of Lindblom Math and Science Academy, having achieved a 4.5 grade point average (on a 5.0 scale). During her tenure at Lindblom, she received several scholastic honors including being selected as a member of the National Honor Society, Outstanding Senior Award and an ISAC Scholar. Plus, Ms. Seda was an active member of the running club. She worked as a volunteer for Firman Community Services, which offers supportive human services for at-risk children and families. For many years, Ms. Seda has been a very active volunteer with Build On, a nonprofit that helps raise funds to build schools in developing countries. Most recently, she was accepted into their CORE program, the organization's new leadership development program.

Ms. Seda will attend DePaul University this fall to pursue a degree in Psychology.

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Fire Safety

We have a long history of working to promote fire safety and education. As part of our effort to teach young people how to recognize a fire and what to do if one occurs, we have created a bi-lingual coloring book. Please take a moment to download the coloring book and teach a young person about fire safety.