NORTH CENTER — The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce recently handed out a slew of super-sized checks to neighborhood nonprofits during the organization's annual philanthropy grant celebration.
The 10 grants totaled $31,000 — ranging individually from $1,500 to $4,600 — in support of causes including area food pantries and schools.
The philanthropy program has provided more than $185,000 to grant recipients since it was founded in 2008.
The 2016 recipients:
• Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) — $2,300 to help buying equipment needed for an emergency alert system for terrestrial broadcasting.
• Common Pantry — $3,600 to support the Common Community initiative, which addresses the root causes of food insecurity.
• Friends of Coonley Elementary School — $4,000 to support the school's “buddy program” and Special Olympics participation for students with special needs.
• Friends of Ravenswood School — $3,200 to upgrade sound and lighting equipment in the school’s auditorium.
• Gene & Rosemary Schulter Foundation — $2,500 to support safety and financial literacy programs for seniors.
• GiGi’s Playhouse — $4,600 to help fund a gym inside the playhouse’s new North Center facility.
• Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club — $3,100 to support new and improved basketball practice facilities.
• Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School — $2,700 to fund safety additions to the gymnasium.
• St. Benedict’s School — $3,500 to help buy playground equipment for the school’s “Peaceful Playgrounds” initiative.
• Windy City Playhouse and Thresholds — $1,500 to support a community night and fundraiser the theater is hosting for Thresholds.
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