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The Debra Gelfand Children's Foundation
Welcomes You

The Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation is a charitable organization supporting Glenview School District 34 students and families experiencing hardships by providing resources and assistance, leading them toward independence, emotional well-being, and long-term stability. 

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“Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me ”
– Fred Rogers

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THE DEBRA GELFAND CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

Board of Directors*

President

Barbara SIlver

Vice President

Zach Gelfand

Secretary  

Dru Van Harte

Treasurer

Howard Silver

Director of Fundraising

Julie Gordon

Director of Business Development

Steve Kavetsis

Director of Communications

Kate Ahmed

*updated November 2023

D34 Gelfand Event Reps 2023-24

Henking

Amy Alberts

Hoffman

Kristin Spalo & Nicole Carlson & Amy Alberts

 

D34 Preschool & Westbrook

TBD

 

Glen Grove  

Brooke Martyn & Katie Thomas & Marie Ratajczyk

 

Lyon

Whitney Langas

 

Pleasant Ridge

Jennifer Savage & Megan Shine

 

Attea

Carrie Mathis & Mary Wehrle & Jen Crouse

 

Springman 

Kim Lundgren & Jen Wiesman  & Suzy Pachtman & Mara Lindsay

Join Us!

The Debra Gelfand Children's Foundation could not exist without District 34 parent volunteers! Consider joining us and becoming a part of what makes District 34 so special.

 

Contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

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WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO?

All donations received by the Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation go directly to the students and families of District 34. Foundation provides shoes, clothing, temporary transportation, rental and utility assistance, medical bill assistance, school supplies, books, uniforms, field trips, band instruments, and many other supports, to District 34 students who are experiencing an emergency crisis and/or financial needs. The Foundation works with all eight schools in the district. Our school social workers work directly with the students and families as liaisons to our Foundation.

 

Also part of the Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation are The Gelfand Necessities Closet and the Gelfand Gardens. Both of these amazing new additions to our Foundation could not have been possible without the amazing support from The Glenview United Methodist Church (“GUMC”). Both the Closet and the Gardens are located at GUMC-727 Harlem Avenue in Glenview. 

 

The Gelfand Necessities Closet provides cleaning supplies, hygiene products, school supplies, diapers and other baby products, and paper goods to our families in need. The closet is also supported by our social workers and families can reach out to them directly to access this support.

 

The Gelfand Gardens was another gift from our friends at GUMC. The Gardens are currently being used to support teaching and learning for our students through hands-on opportunities to plant, grow and harvest! The Gardens will be hosting several student field trips this fall. This summer, our summer school was invited to the Gardens and they weeded, dug holes, planted and watered!! Food that is grown will be donated to the Northfield Food Pantry. 

MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

"A single act of kindness throws our roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."

-Amelia Earhart

Contact The Debra Gelfand Children's Foundation

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