A special Giving Tuesday campaign will be held this week because of the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on nonprofit organizations, and Elgin-area agencies are hoping they can count on residents’ support.
Set up the same way as it is on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, donations can be made directly by going directly to individual nonprofit websites — local or national — or by going through the Elgin Gives website, www.elgingives.org/. There, donors will find a list of more than 65 Elgin-area charities seeking assistance and direct links to contribution pages.
“The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world,” according to a statement on the Elgin Gives site.
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Charities run the gamut from food pantries to youth groups to organizations devoted to the arts, medical fundraising, women, children and family support, ecology, education, animal, park and history preservation causes. To see the list or make a donation, go to www.elgingives.org/.
Dolphin Cove aquatic center won’t open this summer
The Dolphin Cove Family Aquatic Center in Carpentersville will not open this summer, the Dundee Township Park District said.
Families that purchased a pool pass for the 2020 season will be given the option to extend their pass into 2021 or receive a refund, according to a park district news release.
Officials did not rule out the possibility that swimming will be allowed at its Sleepy Hollow pool this summer, but it would depend on “ever-changing safety guidelines” from local, state, and national authorities, the release said.
“The Dundee Township Park District Board and staff feel this is the right decision to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, visitors and staff as we continue to cope with how the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds,” the release said.
The Huffman Park Splash Pad in West Dundee is also closed until further notice.
The district has also canceled its June slate of Concerts in the Park, the June 14 Randall Oaks 5K and Kids Fun Runs, the June 16 Family Night in the Park, and concert and fireworks scheduled for June 27. Its summer camp programs will not feature any field trips or swim days.
Dundee Township Park District and the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department facilities will remain closed through the end of May. While most of Elgin’s Hawthorn Hill Nature Center is closed, its trails are open from dawn until dusk, a release said.
U-46 doing survey on its COVID-19 response, distance learning
U-46 is asking families to complete a survey on the school district’s COVID-19 response and its distance learning by Tuesday.
Families were sent a link to the survey earlier in the week and it also can be found on the district’s website, www.u-46.org/.
The survey addresses three topics: food and housing needs of district families, technology and internet service, and remote learning experiences to date. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish, a district news release said.
The multiple-choice, short-answer survey is anonymous, although it does collect respondents’ demographic data, including what school their child attends, the release said.
Parents with multiple children in U-46 schools can take a survey for each child, and an option to provide a name and contact information will be provided so district officials can address issues involving a specific student, the release said.
This survey is being conducted by Boston-based Panorama Education, the firm U-46 has used to gauge reaction to its full-day kindergarten program.
A separate survey will be sent to students in May to obtain information on equity and inclusion issues.