For many an onlooker, the word “poverty” and the name “Barrington” do not appear to belong together. Yet, they do. Whether, material, social, emotional, physical or educational, poverty in the greater Barrington area is just often well hidden.
And that pervasive hidden element has been diligently addressed for the past six years by the Barrington Children’s Charities through many fundraising events, including their annual Holly Ball and Kentucky Derby themed parties.
Since spring has actually sprung, now is the time to find your swankiest Derby “duds” for this year’s Derby Party, which will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at the new Shakou Restaurant, 121 W. Main St., Barrington. The cost per person is $150, and the afternoon features live music, live derby broadcast, sumptuous food, open bar, Best Dressed and Best Hat awards, 50/50 raffle, and even a festive After Party! More than 200 people are projected to attend, with a goal of raising $25,000.
The number of children Barrington Children’s Charities helps each year is continually increasing, due to their successful fundraising. One essential lifeline for many families is the Blessings in a Backpack Program, which helps feed about 700 local children in need with a backpack full of food over each weekend during the school year, and long holiday weekends. The program, which costs about $100 per child, per year, covers all eight elementary schools in District 220, and aids students already on the federal free and reduced price meal program.
Another essential program gives $25,000 annually through Alexian Brothers to help with mental health initiatives in the Barrington Middle School, Station Campus and Middle School, Prairie Campus.
“We fully fund a counselor at the high school and the middle schools,” said Kirsten Baseley, vice president. “It’s an incredible program for us, and it’s very, very viable.”
The charity’s total annual distribution to its programs is about $100,000 per year.
Barrington Children’s Charities is also led by dedicated board members: chairman of the board, Thomas Hills; president, Darby Hills; treasurer, Chris Bilton; secretary, Laura Fitch; and members Jodie Barbera, Tom Barbera, Christopher Barry, Dacien Barry, Anna Bilton, Mike Fitch, Jaimee Hamilton, Mark Hamilton, Lauren Klauer, Michael Klauer, Michelle Maison, Claire Miller, George Miller, Christine Smith, Matt Smith, Jason Welsh, Jennifer Welsh, Greg Werner, Sara Werner, Angela Wilcox and James Wilcox.
The Derby event is supported by some of the most substantial benefactors in the greater Barrington area, including Barbara and Paul Hills and the Foglia Family Foundation.
Barrington Children’s Charities’ stated mission is to “heighten public awareness of children’s issues and foster solutions to their problems. Secondly, we raise monies to fund a wide variety of important worthwhile projects benefiting local children.”
Baseley has a great attachment to the Barrington community, and loves her involvement with the charity.
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“We’ve really live and breathe the mission of the charity,” she said, specifically supporting local District 220 children and covering the four elements of the mission: material, social, emotional, physical or educational.
“Barrington is so large! The funds come from the community and we give back to the community,” Baseley said. “The children are so important to us that everyone that gets involved gets so much back.”
For more information on this 501c3 nonprofit organization’s work, visit www.barringtonchildrenscharities.com. They seek donations in many forms, including major sponsorship contributions from businesses, trusts, families and individuals, online e-commerce contributions, silent auction and raffle goods and services, and in-kind donations of goods and services that may be used to offset fundraising event costs. Donations may also be mailed to Barrington Children’s Charities, 145 W. Main St., No. 204, Barrington IL 60010-4311.