Special Gifts Theatre fundraiser

Special Gifts Theatre’s Strides for the Stage Community Walk Fundraiser was a huge success on Sunday, September 28 at Techny Prairie Park in Northbrook! Community members gathered to walk and raise funds to support Special Gifts Theatre’s inclusive theatre programs.

The organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. SGT was founded Northbrook in 2000 with eight students and has grown to serve 350 participants in 9 programming locations annually.

Many thanks to the fundraisers, sponsors, and walkers who joined for the event. Before the walk began, SGT actors performed a couple of songs and dances for the group and announced the fundraising total: $65,940! 

Special Gifts Theatre relies on fundraising to cover 75% of its operating budget. The annual community walk fundraiser helps to ensure we can continue to grow and serve more individuals with disabilities.

Thank you to the event sponsors: 

The Strides Sponsors: 

The Kotel Foundation, Von Tobel Foundation and the Rechtin Family

Gold Sponsors:

The Luthra Family, Aligned Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley and First Bank Chicago

Silver Sponsors:

Wintrust, The LeVay Family, Harold and Judie Bregman and the Polsinelli Law Firm

Bronze:

Lakeshore Psychology, Everactive Solutions, Dan De La Cruz with State Farm, Brad Stephens and Linda Mehnert

The weather could not have been any better. I would love to see the entire pathway be blacktop, as the gravel was harder to walk on. The sponsors, participants and board members had a special treat as John Manchester of Windy City Sweets, in Chicago, came by to say hello and give the final results on the 2025 ice cream contest between “Out Chicago” and “Around The Town” , both on WCPT 820. Turns out that Al Bresloff (  a board member of SGT) won this year, but in fact, the true winners were those who had fun with the contest and of course Special Gifts Theatre, who received a check in the amount of  $716.25.

Stop by Windy City Sweets and you can help by buying a coffee mug filled with candy. Go to 3308 N. Broadway in Chicago- 773-477-6100