They scale the world’s tallest mountains. They navigate shifting sheets of ice on the Arctic Ocean. They trek the treacherous North Pole. And they do it all together. They are the father-son expedition team of Rick and Taylor Sweitzer. As we sat on the porch of their home in Wilmette, Rick, 56, and Taylor, […]
For about 30 years, Links North Shore Youth Health Service has been educating young adults about sexual health and well being. The Northfield-based nonprofit already serves hundreds of adolescents in about 70 communities, and plans to expand its outreach under the leadership of its new executive director Amy Skalinder. “We can build on the good […]
Make It Better is proud to partner with businesses that give back to the community—often in extraordinary ways. Here are a few initiatives from our many philanthropic advertisers. Lewis Floor & Home Steven Lewis, owner of Lewis Floor & Home, has donated more than $100,000 to the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, and a portion […]
The people who do the most good in our communities rarely have press agents.
Sophia Siskel grew into her dream job as president and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden, which lets her combine her passion for gardening with her commitment to serving Chicago’s cultural institutions.
The REACH orchestra at William G. Hibbard Elementary School in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood starts kids off learning about music by simply putting instruments in their hands and letting them create chaotic sounds.
Mark Schimmel of Northbrook, an experienced filmmaker, recently captured Crystal Bowersox and 8 other musicians performing “Sweet Home Chicago” on the streets of our favorite big city. Click here to watch the 4-minute video. Schimmel, who has produced videos for large corporate clients such as Nintendo, donated his time to make this video for […]
Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean a lot. Olga’s Beautiful Beings, founded by Olga’s Day Spa owner Olga Nisenboim, saw a need to help women who have experienced life’s downside. Nisenboim wants to offer support to women who’ve experienced life-altering events that have negatively impacted their self-esteem. The organization’s first endeavor was to […]
Chicago’s homeless got a taste of wild game last week when the national tour of Hunt Fish Feed made its first-ever stop here. Clad in aprons and hairnets, volunteers for the organization sautéed 40-pound batches of venison, chopped tomatoes, cilantro and lettuce and spooned out portions of salsa and sour cream. About 200 guests of […]
It’s not every day we see fathers dancing with their daughters on stage as part of their daughters’ dance performance. Then again, Chicago Ballet Arts (CBA) is no ordinary dance school and Leslie Saunders, of Glencoe, is no ordinary co-director. A non-profit, community outreach program, CBA serves a culturally diverse group of students ages three […]
