A generous donation of $70,000 to the 39th Ward is set to support a variety of community initiatives, including the installation of wheelchair-accessible garden beds at a nearby school and improvements aimed at flood mitigation in Gompers Park.
This funds are courtesy of the late Donna King, an Evanston native known for her philanthropic spirit, who passed away last year after battling ovarian cancer.
Anthony Licata, the executor of King’s estate, collaborated with Ald. Samantha Nugent to identify local groups that reflect the community’s needs and align with King’s values.
At a ceremony held on Wednesday evening at North Park University, Nugent expressed her gratitude for the organizations that will benefit from the funding.
Nugent stated, “Each of the projects that are being funded by the grant reflects what makes the 39th Ward so special. Your organizations are the lifeblood of our community.”
The funding will be distributed among six groups which include the Northside Learning Center, Forest Glen Community Club, Mayfair Park Advisory Council, Gladstone Park Neighborhood Association, North Park Community Market, and Gompers Park Athletic Association.
The Northside Learning Center, which serves students with disabilities as part of Chicago Public Schools, is set to receive $15,000 to create wheelchair-accessible raised garden beds.
These beds will not only enhance accessibility but also provide fresh vegetables and herbs for the school’s culinary arts program, according to Principal Elizabeth Mourtokokis.
The Forest Glen Community Club, another awardee, has been allocated $15,000 for the creation of a new mural at the viaduct located near Forest Glen and Lansing avenues.
Club president Theresa Kelly shared that the mural is a long-awaited project reflecting the community’s identity and history.
“The mural will complete the ‘gateway to the neighborhood,’” remarked Kelly, noting that the group has previously raised funds for another mural in the area about a decade ago.
The Gompers Park Athletic Association, serving around 650 youth players in baseball and softball, will utilize their $15,000 grant to install underground drainage to resolve recurring flooding issues on their baseball field.
Meanwhile, the Mayfair Park Advisory Council has been awarded $5,000, which will be dedicated to planting a native plant and perennial flower garden as a tribute to longtime neighborhood volunteer Wally Eliason.
The Gladstone Park Neighborhood Association will invest its $5,000 into beautifying Chopin Plaza, planning to enhance the space with fresh landscaping.
The North Park Community Market is set to receive $15,000 as well, which will help promote the monthly market at Peterson Elementary School.
Board member and vendor Ryan O’Connell mentioned that the funds will go toward attracting more vendors and visitors, as well as repairing essential equipment like tents and tables.
Earlier this year, the King estate also donated $21,000 to Give-n-Receive, a nonprofit organization based in Belmont Cragin, to support their free community closets initiative.
Licata shared that a significant portion of King’s estate is allocated to scholarship funds, emphasizing the family’s desire to make impactful contributions to local projects.
Nugent expressed hope that the public ceremony would foster connections among community groups and raise awareness of various projects underway in the ward.
She concluded, “It’s my sincere hope that this serves as a source multiplier to create more good. Hopefully, more projects will stem from the work that we’ve been given seed money for tonight.”
Both Donna and Terry King, who was a prominent retail developer and deeply involved in the community, will continue to inspire through these charitable contributions, noted Licata.
As the community embarks on these projects funded by Donna King’s estate, the local organizations are optimistic about the positive changes they will bring, strengthening the bonds within the 39th Ward.
image source from：blockclubchicago
