On the fundraising front. . . Our chapter is the only one to meet over the summer, and our August was full of activity!

Chapter AngelBaby Bags co-chairs, Trucia Drummond and Laurie Wiesemann did a stellar job of selecting and purchasing the components of the ABB’s, so we could meet our pledge of 60 stuffed diaper bags this summer. A “stuffing party” was held at Laurie’s home, and the completed bags were delivered to the Clinic on August 9th!

We held our 1st quarterly meeting of the new fiscal year on August 10th at the home of Diane Nesbitt. The date coincided with the Air and Water Show, so we had a meeting punctuated with airplane flyovers—so we mixed business and noisy pleasure!

We are very proud to announce that our own Kelley Gibson will be joining the Auxiliary in a newly created Auxiliary Board position, Janie’s Kitchen Pantry Coordinator. Janie’s Kitchen is one of a kind – the Chicago Food Depository is collaborating with IWS to open the pantry housed within the Clinic, exclusively serving IWS patients. Kelley will work in coordination with IWS staff to fill volunteer shifts to keep the pantry well-stocked and patients well-served.

Later in the month, Maria Enright and Diane Nesbitt attended the IWS Board Annual Cubs outing hosted by Board Member, Tim Johnson. Appetizers and libations were served at the Lucky Strike bowling alley, where our new IWS CEO, Heide Ortolaza-Alvear, was formally introduced to and welcomed by IWS Board and Auxiliary Board members, as well as IWS staff. The group then crossed the street to Wrigley Field and enjoyed a Cubs’ victory!