Happy Holidays! I hope you are getting ready to enjoy the holidays and head somewhere warm – or will at least be with friends/family. We will be spending the holiday in California this year, with a quick sidetrip to Vegas for Callie and the Northwestern Band to play in the SRS Las Vegas Bowl on Dec 23rd. Go Cats!

In this season of giving, I ask you to consider donating to Minds Matter Chicago (MMC). MMC levels the playing field for Chicago’s academically dedicated, low-income, high potential college-bound teens by supporting them to and through college. I have just started personally donating my time this organization, and I am excited by the potential it has to be a difference maker in lives of participating students!

100% of our MMC graduates are accepted to a four-year college and 99% of our graduates are enrolled in four-year college, exceeding the Chicago Public Schools average of 43%. As we know, higher education is a critical pathway toward greater social and economic equity after college.

While giving students the tools for success is our ultimate goal, MMC programming includes various supports for personal growth and development. Our students enter college with a clearer idea of purpose, sense of self, and the confidence to enact their goals. MMC is entirely free to students and relies on contributions to sustain our programming – we are a volunteer-based organization. Every donation makes a huge impact, so please consider supporting me and MMC during this season of giving. 

If that is not enough, everyone who donates $100 or more by December 8th will be eligible for a drawing to win two tickets to the Giants/Rams game in New York on December 31st, as well as two round-trip tickets on American Airlines to get you there!

Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Julie