Thank you for making a donation to the 2022 IPRF Silent Auction!

With the 2022 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference just around the corner on January 27-29, we are once again preparing for the Illinois Park & Recreation Foundation Silent Auction.  Following the success of last year’s virtual conference and Silent Auction, this year’s conference attendees will be able to view the baskets both in person or virtually and bid from their phones.   More info to come about the logistics of the auction because this letter is a call to action!

As we transition into the new normal, IPRF’s mission is still clear to assist students and IPRA professional member’s continuing education and professional development opportunities through our scholarship programs.  The Silent Auction raises funds for the scholarship programs that can provide professionals and students the opportunity to attend professional development conferences and workshops.

Between 2010 and 2021, the IPRF has provided over $83,500 in individual scholarships; $27,200 for student scholarships and $56,300 for professional scholarships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, late 2020 and early 2021, the IPRF Board authorized up to $40,000 in Special Assistance Grants to assist eligible professional members who were experiencing financial hardships due to furloughed, lay-off, terminated from their agency and needed financial assistance. At the conclusion of this assistance program, $33,000 was given out to our fellow professionals in need.

Your help is needed to make this a success!  This is your opportunity to help your fellow professionals and invest in the future of a park and recreation professional by donating items for a gift basket for the Silent Auction.   No donation is too small or too big.  Of course, certificates for golf foursomes, Water Park passes and restaurants are always welcomed as well!

If you'd like to make a monetary donation to the IPRF, you can do so at: http://tinyurl.com/y8ubsp36

Donated items can be brought to the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) office no later than Friday, January 14th.  

The NWSRA office is located at:

Northwest Special Recreation Association
3000 W Central Rd, #205
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

If you have questions, please email Anne Kiwala (silentauction@iliprf.org), Silent Auction Chair or Heather Weishaar (heather@ilipra.org), IPRA Communications & Marketing Director.