Serving under-resourced Lake Zurich School District 95 students & families
Our Mission
Joanie’s Closet is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that serves under-resourced Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 students and their families, by providing basic needs to help students achieve their full potential.
Joanie’s Closet was founded in the spirit of May Whitney Elementary School’s long-time nurse, Joanie Bednarz, who passed away unexpectedly in August of 2005. Joanie was well known for her humanitarianism and generosity, especially toward May Whitney families in need. She helped families quietly, providing assistance with care, respect, and dignity.
After Joanie’s unexpected passing, the Joanie’s Closet organization was originally created as a PTO committee, then later as a committee of the Educational Foundation. As of July 2024, Joanie’s Closet is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that continues to serve the under-resourced students and families of Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 in collaboration with the community.
How We Help
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School supplies
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Winter coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, and boots
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Clothing, underwear, socks, shoes
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Health office snacks for hungry students
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Grocery and gas cards
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Household necessities
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...and much more!
Students can't learn optimally when their basic needs are not being met, and hunger is a prime example.
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Snacks are provided by Joanie's Closet to the schools' health offices for those times when students are experiencing hunger.
Every under-resourced Lake Zurich School District 95 student is eligible to receive new school supplies and a backpack from Joanie's Closet. These supplies mirror the District 95 supply list.
Having the tools they need to learn is important for a student's social-emotional well-being as well as their academic success.
Any under-resourced Lake Zurich School District 95 student is eligible to receive a free winter coat, hat, and mittens/gloves. Immediate family members in the same household are also eligible to receive coats.
Many families struggle to pay for basic needs like food and clothing. Winter outerwear can present a big financial challenge for some families - especially with growing children.
Support Us
Join Us in Making a Difference!
Joanie’s Closet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer organization. Monetary donations of any amount are welcome electronically through the 'Donate' button or via check, mailed to the address below. Additionally, sponsorships are available at the Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels as defined below.
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Donating by Check?
Mail your donation to Joanie's Closet, 832 S. Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL. 60047
We also accept the following in-kind donations and will honor the appropriate sponsorship level based on the value of the donation:
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New backpacks - solid colors
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New school supplies from the Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 list
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New winter coats, gloves, hats
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Individually packaged snacks
Sponsorship Levels
Joanie's Platinum Level
$10,000 Donation
​Joanie's Platinum Level Acknowledgements
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Joanie's Closet community presentations
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Social media postings
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Website acknowledgement
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Quarterly newsletter acknowledgement
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Valentine's Dance Sponsor - 2 raffle baskets
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Valentine's Dance special signage
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Valentine's Dance pre-event communications​
Joanie's Sponsors
Thank you to these generous donors!!
Joanie's Platinum Level Sponsors
$10,000 Donation
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Foglia Family Foundation
Joanie's Gold Level Sponsors
$5,000 Donation
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Deacon John and Bobbi Sfire
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Huntington Bank
Joanie's Silver Level Sponsors
$2,500 Donation
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​​Echo Incorporated
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American Legion Post #964
Joanie's Bronze Level Sponsors
$1,000 Donation
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Ann Marie and Scott McConnell
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Rotary Club of Lake Zurich
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Sally and Chris Kutsor
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Lamp, Inc.
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The Pesch Family
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Hawthorn Woods Family Dental Care
Joanie's Dance Sponsors
$200-750 Donation
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$500 (Craft Table) - Baird & Warner Lake Zurich
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$350 (Photography) - Ali & Ian Finn
More About Us
Volunteers
Joanie's Closet is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, managed by an Executive Board, in cooperation with Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95.
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In addition to the Executive Board, volunteers serve as school liaisons through the PTOs, as committee members for initiatives like school supplies, winter coats, and the main fundraiser (Joanie's Closet Valentine's Dance).
Joanie's Closet
832 S. Rand Road
Lake Zurich, IL. 60047
Executive Board Members
President
Ann Marie McConnell
Vice President
Sally Kutsor
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Secretary
Michelle Hanson
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Treasurer
Scott McConnell
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