Big Shoulders Fund

I was trying to remember a good running pun, but nothing 'jogged' my memory. Speaking of running, it was an honor to be among over 50,000 participants and 1.7 million spectators last weekend to complete my 4th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. If the winner was determined by who had the most fun, I may have made the podium. If you're someone who determines a race winner by their time then I did not fare as well. I felt like I gave out thousands of high-fives and the smile rarely left my face. I didn't meet all of my performance goals despite a lot of preparation, but I'm thrilled that I took the journey. We all have our journeys towards the goals that we set for ourselves. Things don't always end up the way that we planned and it's okay. Did we enjoy the journey? Did we have a positive impact on others? What did we learn? If given the opportunity, would we do it again and would we change anything? Do you have an experience where you didn't hit all of your goals, but the journey was still worth it? #chicagomarathon #embracethejourney

St. Nicholas Cathedral School has been educating and supporting nearly 100 refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion of their country in 2022. We are very grateful to an anonymous donor who has offered a $100,000 matching grant so the school can continue to provide services to help these children thrive. Please help us maximize this opportunity. To donate, click the link below and select “Ukrainian Aid Match” when designating your gift at check out. https://lnkd.in/g2WUJCTp #bigshouldersfund

We are excited to welcome friends and supporters to the 25th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Lend a Shoulder Day on Thursday, November 7 in Chicago. As we reflect on 25 years of working shoulder to shoulder, this day will bring our mission to life and show you how your investment continues to pave the way for the next generation of leaders.

Join us on Saturday, October 26 for our Give Back Day at St. Agnes of Bohemia School! You'll join fellow Big Shoulders Fund supporters in making an impact in the lives of the students and families in this school community. Invite your friends and colleagues and make a day of it – the more volunteers, the greater the impact! Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gPNrqhxu

SitStayRead was thrilled to be back at St. Ethelreda in Auburn-Gresham, a Big Shoulders Fund school, yesterday to kick off our third year with the second-grade classroom. Thanks to our Program Manager Cynthia Marroquin for leading our classroom residency with our volunteer Book Buddies and Dog Teams who give such care for these lovely emergent readers. Thanks also to KPMG US for underwriting this partnership and for providing us with new books to help stock the home libraries for these students. And to Evan Owens, a high schooler and Eagle Scout, who is leading a drive to give each teacher a set of classroom supplies.

Earlier this month, cohort two of the Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana Instructional Coach Initiative met to discuss the use of video to reflect and identify instructional goals. Thank you to St. John Bosco School-Hammond, IN for hosting! #BigShouldersFundNWI

Never underestimate the strength of a full-time working mom of four young kids who’s surrounded by an army of supportive friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. Nothing is impossible. Even a marathon. 26.2 miles of immense gratitude. Running like a girl never felt so good! Thank you, Chicago. Photo cred: Kathleen Toomey Big Shoulders Fund

THANK YOU to everyone who helped me raise over $2,300 for Big Shoulders Fund! As a racing team, we raised over $100,000 for students — a reminder that big things can happen when we work together! Let’s run it back in 2025! 🙌