Boosting education with its 8th annual fundraiser, the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation (ICECF)—headed by President Abby Hans of Glenview -- hosted its “Back 2 School 2012” kickoff luncheon with 200 guests at Maggiano’s Little Italy’s private banquet facility in Chicago on June 19.  Laura Freveletti of Inverness and Jack Devedjian, both from the YMCA (pictured above),
participated in the event. Guest emcees were Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt of NBC 5 Chicago morning news and the special day raised over $100,000 that will go toward helping 19,000 children and families to receive needed school supplies.

ICECF recognized Golden Apple President and CEO Dominic Belmonte with an Education Award, plus awarded two $2500 college scholarships to high school seniors Joey Thompson of Sycamore and Nora Castrejon of Chicago.  Education and Corporate Sponsor Awards
were presented to YMCA of Metro Chicago and MB Financial Bank.

A highlight of the event was the premiere of a Back 2 School documentary about the education crisis facing many local families. The 400 Illinois Currency Exchange locations will continue fundraising this summer with canisters to further support the initiative.  Donating just $11 funds a complete school supply kit.

Sponsors of the event included: the Community Currency Exchange Association of Illinois, Western Union, MB Financial Bank, Kits for Kidz and Republic Bank.

Attendees included representation from The Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office, the Chicago Public Schools, the Illinois Currency Exhange Charitable
Foundation (ICECF), the Community Currency Exchange Association of Illinois (CCEA) and many residents and companies from the North Shore and Chicago area.

The ICECF, in partnership with the YMCA of Metro Chicago, provides thousands of deserving children with school supplies to help them succeed in the classroom.  The Back 2 School program has distributed almost one million school supplies in the past seven years. This fall, 19,000 children in need will receive 500,000 school supplies from ICECF’s growing Back 2 School program.  A recent survey found
that 49.5 percent of families surveyed, who received school supplies from this program, had a household income of less than $10,500 (below the nation’s
poverty line). Youths receiving the supplies were 59 percent African American.

About the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Fund:  The Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation (ICECF), a 501c3 organization, creates and supports educational opportunities that enrich the lives of Illinois children.