The 25th Annual Ted Fund Benefit

Please join us at the Ted Fund Annual Benefit on Saturday, April 23rd at 7 PM.

FACTS: While Evanston public school children sit side-by-side in classrooms during the school year, they spend after-school hours and summers in very different worlds. Children of the economically advantaged may be enrolled in organized recreation, music lessons, sports camps, arts classes, theater, and other programs of enrichment. Their free hours are brimming with activities that are stimulating, inspiring, and fun. In these informal settings they learn cooperation, self-expression, and other life-skills, experiencing informal mentoring and meaningful association with coaches and other adults. In contrast, children of families living below the poverty line are left behind since virtually all public recreation and day camp programs are fee-based.

MISSION: An important goal is to reduce the gap between life experiences of the “haves” and the “have-nots.” The TED FUND addresses this critical need for “leveling the playing field” by providing access to quality, fee-based programs. Specifically, the Ted Fund provides the opportunity and means for each child to choose summer day camp experiences of their choice…where they will acquire skills of teamwork, cooperation, and gain self-confidence.

LINK TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS: In partnership with District 65, scholarships are awarded annually to students in 2nd and 3rd grade on the basis of need. To provide maximum benefit, a 3rd grader will enjoy 3 consecutive years of camp, and a 2nd grader will look forward to 4 years of camp. In 2019, we supported 133 campers, representing all 13 Evanston public elementary schools.

TEAMING UP: The YMCA has generously awarded scholarships to Camp Echo in Michigan to many of our Ted Fund graduates at the junior high grade level. In addition, the YWCA Evanston/North Shore provides free swim lessons through their Learn to Swim program. Both Northlight Theatre and Music Theater Works are awarding scholarships to their summer programs to several deserving Ted Fund graduates.

STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY: Our goal is to ensure that every Evanston public school child will experience quality programming throughout the year. Investment in the development of our hometown children yields dividends for years to come and has strong, positive impact on the well-being of the entire Evanston community.

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS: The Ted Fund is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, run entirely by volunteers in donated office space. There are no paid directors or board members; every dollar benefits children. To enroll a single child in this vital summer day camp experience carries individual expenses of $2,400-$3,200 ($800+per year).

For more information or to make a donation visit us at www.tedfund.org