tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150Sat, 26 May 2012 20:39:54 +0000LLSVideosInspiring KidsFeature StoriesInspiring QuotesEventsInspiring Reads by Local AuthorsSportsLocal Media StoriesSeason of GivingInspiring SongINSPIREme Chicagohttp://www.inspiremechicago.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)Blogger237125inspiremechicago/ZldNhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-6490952150462017026Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:02:00 +00002011-12-20T08:02:31.010-06:00Coffee and a Cause! Habitat for Humanity in Haiti  All month, a Chicago coffee shop is helping Habitat for Humanity raise money for its projects in Haiti! When you walk into Dolce Casa Cafe (4947 N Damen) you'll see artwork all over the walls created by Haitians. A local Habitat for Humanity group brought the artwork back from their latest trip.  Dolce Casa Cafe owner, Ross Outten, let the group put the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/lSjFYDCX2vQ/coffee-and-cause.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/lSjFYDCX2vQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/12/coffee-and-cause.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-7882804639202356619Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:36:00 +00002011-11-27T21:39:02.293-06:00Feature StoriesBrought Together By FateFate recently brought two strangers from the same town together, and now they’re on a mission to help support others who are diagnosed with the same life threatening disorder that they both survived. Roopa Desai and Lauren Melnick both survived brain surgery after being diagnosed with brain aneurysms.  The two young women didn’t know each other at the time, but their passion for helping http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/7Uusr61j8h4/brought-together-by-fate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/7Uusr61j8h4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/11/brought-together-by-fate.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-95126455272641659Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:20:00 +00002011-11-11T07:21:01.453-06:00Helping Children in KenyaA Chicago based organization is holding a benefit on Saturday to help children in Kenya living in poverty.  Deacon Willie C. McLaughlin created the non-profit Friends of Shelter Children in Kenya (FOSCIK) after visiting Kenya in 2003 to distribute bibles for a mission project.  On his trip, he visited the Shelter Children Rehabilitation Center and met so many orphans that touched his heart.  He http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/RLHui-GHjgU/helping-children-in-kenya.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/RLHui-GHjgU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/11/helping-children-in-kenya.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-2724304853074836291Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:04:00 +00002011-11-02T08:05:33.231-05:00Different is the New Normal Photo from documentary FB page An inspirational documentary about a Highland Park teen premieres in Chicago this Sunday on WTTW. The documentary "Different is the New Normal" is about Ariel Small, a 17-year-old who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when he was six years old.  Teachers originally thought he was just acting out, but he was actually experiencing uncontrollable tics caused by http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/TevDCKa1NnU/different-is-new-normal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/TevDCKa1NnU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/11/different-is-new-normal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-1100807230556638233Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:46:00 +00002011-11-02T06:57:07.379-05:00Bike Program Encourages Youth Photo:  AP, Martha Irvine Kids on the south side of Chicago are learning valuable life lessons from a bike shop in the Woodlawn neighborhood.  Blackstone Bicycle Works has an after school youth program that teaches kids how to build a bicycle.  They learn mechanical skills and learn how to conduct themselves in a work environment.  The best part, is that after they log 25 hours in the shop, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/C_uaNEUxBFc/bike-program-encourages-youth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/C_uaNEUxBFc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/11/bike-program-encourages-youth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-5622197960362334069Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:25:00 +00002011-10-27T18:25:50.851-05:00Local Media StoriesLocal Dentist Steps Up Photo from www.nbcchicago.com  A Lincoln Park dentist is helping give a carjacking victim a new smile. Dr. Jack Manikowski decided to help 18-year-old Edwin Rodriguez after seeing a story about him on NBC 5. The story detailed how Rodriguez got carjacked early Wednesday morning outside the Wit Hotel.  He suffered several injuries after being dragged from the car for about a block.  Dr. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/kmuIUIuhIFY/local-dentist-steps-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/kmuIUIuhIFY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/10/local-dentist-steps-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-6876531433130845451Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:06:00 +00002011-10-20T07:07:41.628-05:00Local Media StoriesOn The RiseA senior at Illiana Christian High School in Lansing has created her very own style and fashion magazine for teens and young adults. 17-year-old Chloe Graham always wished magazines would focus more on "real" people like herself.  Since many of them don't, she decided to take matters into her own hands.  Graham decided to start a magazine that would focus on real people, real fashion, real body http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/2A7LzIwrEXs/on-rise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/2A7LzIwrEXs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/10/on-rise.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-3911042445356919374Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:01:00 +00002011-10-10T07:01:43.635-05:00Marathon InspirationEvery year, I love hearing the inspiring stories from the Chicago marathon.  This year, I was super inspired by Tatyana McFadden!  The 22-year-old finished 1st place in the women's wheelchair division and will now be heading to London for the 2012 Paralympics. Photo from www.TatyanaMcFadden.com It's not just the fact that she's an amazing athlete that makes Tatyana so inspiring.  It's the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/zyvE4TlXoS4/marathon-inspiration.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/zyvE4TlXoS4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/10/marathon-inspiration.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-8546633560818631376Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:54:00 +00002011-09-23T06:55:26.245-05:00SportsBears Make Wish Come True NFL Network The Chicago Bears recently helped make a Northbrook boy's wish come true!   10-year-old Collin Wehr loves the Bears and has always dreamed of becoming an NFL Network reporter covering his favorite team.   Thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation, his dream came true! Collin got to spend a day with the Chicago Bears as a real NFL Network reporter!  It was a special day for Collin, who has http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/PQ6a2T4-zec/bears-help-make-wish-come-true.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/PQ6a2T4-zec" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/bears-help-make-wish-come-true.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-316034929198164586Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:12:00 +00002011-09-14T16:14:48.437-05:00Local Media StoriesBlind Man Bikes For Charity Photo from Elmhurst Patch A blind man from Elmhurst finished a 100 mile to bike ride to help raise funds for a charity that provides bicycles to people living in poverty. Ed Hill joined 650 other riders for the charity bike ride that started at Wrigley Field and ended at Miller Park in Milwaukee.  He was able to make the journey with the help of his brother, Bruce.  The two rode on a tandem http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/W5CZlj16Dug/blind-man-finishes-100-mile-ride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/W5CZlj16Dug" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/blind-man-finishes-100-mile-ride.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-6536792777762819659Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:51:00 +00002011-09-12T20:12:50.502-05:00VideosFeature StoriesRadiothon Raises $1.8 MillionThis weekend, a Chicago radio show raised $1.8 million dollars for Children’s Memorial Hospital!  It’s the 12th year in a row that The Eric and Kathy Morning Show on 101.9 The Mix brought in big bucks for the hospital with its 36 Hour Radiothon.  I was in the hospital lobby for the final hours of the radiothon on Saturday and saw the amazing impact that the hospital has on families.  Take a lookhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/d329RcnqWtI/inspiring-stories-help-raise-big-bucks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/d329RcnqWtI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/inspiring-stories-help-raise-big-bucks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-242276526862845957Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:42:00 +00002011-09-12T09:43:24.688-05:00Local Media StoriesStranger Saves IL Veteran Photo: Michael Tercha/Tribune A Vietnam veteran from LaSalle just met the stranger who saved his life. 59-year-old  Thomas Yepsen got the chance to thank Tricia McElhone in person on Sunday for giving him her bone marrow.  Yepsen got the transplant in 2009, after nearly 2 years of suffering with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There were only 2 people (out of 9 million people on the donor registry!) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/zbYjBGHN3Ns/stranger-saves-il-veteran.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/zbYjBGHN3Ns" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/stranger-saves-il-veteran.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-1951348171225952515Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:59:00 +00002011-09-12T08:49:56.093-05:00Inspiring KidsLocal Media StoriesHoops for the SEALs Photo from McLean Patch This story comes to us from outside the Chicago area, but still close enough (and good enough!) to share;)  Over Labor Day Weekend, a twelve-year-old boy from McLean raised about $31,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation by shooting baskets in his driveway!  Will Thomas wanted to help the families of the Navy SEALs who were killed in Afghanistan on August 6th.  He has no http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/dHwDgaLFf_g/hoops-for-seals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/dHwDgaLFf_g" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/hoops-for-seals.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-1085267121736112320Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:23:00 +00002011-09-02T15:47:00.592-05:00VideosFeature StoriesDiagnosed Too YoungA young woman from the Chicago area found herself in the fight of her life just days before her wedding.   Ten days before she was set to say "I do" doctors told Roopa Desai she had a brain aneurysm.  Then several days later, she  learned she also had a blood clot in her lungs.  See how Roopa fought and survived two life threatening illnesses and how she's now using her story to help others: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/B5CFTpiUHxY/diagnosed-too-young.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/B5CFTpiUHxY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/09/diagnosed-too-young.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-2000968339830312195Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:43:00 +00002011-08-26T15:44:07.172-05:00Improv Marathon Helps KidsA Chicago improv group is holding a 30 hour improv "marathon" to raise money for local school kids.   K.C. Redheart will start performing tonight at 5 p.m.  Then every hour, a different guest improv group will join them until it wraps up at 11 p.m. tomorrow night!  The money they raise from the event will go directly to Namaste Charter School in Chicago.  Karisa Bruin, K.C. Redheart member, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/8W_r0WHfLDk/improv-marathon-helps-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/8W_r0WHfLDk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/improv-marathon-helps-kids.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-3790941495057099081Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:13:00 +00002011-08-23T09:13:36.601-05:00Local Media StoriesArt Therapy Photo: Keri Wiginton/Chicago Tribune A disabled man from Libertyville who can only communicate by moving his eyes is using art to express himself better than ever before.  21-year-old Armando "Mandi" Saltiel began taking art therapy and his parents say it's transformed him.  They say the sessions have made him a more confident communicator and have given him something to be passionate about.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/bjz0JoaDyrI/art-therapy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/bjz0JoaDyrI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/art-therapy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-688639526998449500Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:36:00 +00002011-08-16T06:37:49.340-05:00SportsFormer Bear Encourages Reading An NFL Veteran and former Chicago Bear is inspiring kids to read and live healthy lifestyles.  Linebacker Chris Draft visited the Chicago Public Library's Richard M. Daley Branch on Kedzie to get middle school kids in Chicago excited about reading and going back to the classroom after their summer break.  He encouraged the kids to go to their public library and get a library card to help keep http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/XfnolkG8aTE/former-bear-encourages-reading.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/XfnolkG8aTE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/former-bear-encourages-reading.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-5913286842034549366Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:42:00 +00002011-08-08T18:44:13.391-05:00Inspiring KidsFrom Lemonade to Popcorn Abby Enck with all her donations! Do you remember the adorable and inspiring Abby Enck?  Last summer we shared her story after she sold lemonade kits to buy more than 1,000 boxes of crayons for children at Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Park Ridge.   This summer, the 9-year-old decided to do even more for the kids at the hospital. She made and sold popcorn kits so she http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/BssX4bO0dyQ/from-lemonade-to-popcorn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/BssX4bO0dyQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/from-lemonade-to-popcorn.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-163145533495668611Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:20:00 +00002011-08-02T14:20:57.581-05:00VideosFeature StoriesHockey Dream Come TrueA little girl from the south side of Chicago never imagined she’d have the opportunity to play ice hockey. It’s not something that’s available in her neighborhood, not to mention how expensive it is to get all the equipment and the ice time. But thanks to a non-profit called 1World Sports, 11-year-old Aja Collins got to attend a youth hockey camp for a whole week this summer on a scholarship fromhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/cQ97RjqBEks/hockey-dream-come-true.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/cQ97RjqBEks" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/hockey-dream-come-true.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-6895651715939501433Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:18:00 +00002011-08-01T06:18:16.496-05:00One Man Makes A DifferenceA Lake Geneva man is being recognized nationally for his generosity and compassion.  CNN just featured Sal Dimiceli in its "CNN Heroes" segment after learning about all the people in his town he's personally helped. Dimiceli has a newspaper column in the Lake Geneva News called The Time Is Now To Help.   People who have fallen on hard times write to Dimiceli and he personally responds to them tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/tWKCNhHHKDU/one-man-makes-difference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/tWKCNhHHKDU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/08/one-man-makes-difference.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-5957655487273510002Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:24:00 +00002011-07-27T07:24:49.085-05:00SportsShe's Back On The Soccer Field Photo from ESPN.com Last night, the ESPN program, E:60 highlighted a high school soccer player from Wheaton Academy in West Chicago. The show boasts telling the "best stories in sports" and the inspiring story about Lexi Youngberg doesn't disappoint.  Youngberg lost her leg in a boating accident in 2009, just after winning the state soccer championship with her high school team as a sophomore.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/lxmkhG4K8dA/shes-back-on-soccer-field.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/lxmkhG4K8dA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/07/shes-back-on-soccer-field.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-8916104279674898308Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:15:00 +00002011-07-22T17:15:41.972-05:00Zoo Uses Sports to Teach The Brookfield Zoo is teaching visitors about nature and animals with the help of Chicago's favorite sports teams.   On specific weekends throughout the summer, different sports teams will be highlighted at the zoo as part of the "Real Fan Days" series.  This weekend, Chicago Cubs fans will get to celebrate their team at the zoo.   Fans at the zoo will learn all about Boston Ivy, which is the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/o1rzi4lpbu0/zoo-uses-sports-to-teach.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/o1rzi4lpbu0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/07/zoo-uses-sports-to-teach.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-2646285672492926015Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:11:00 +00002011-07-21T18:11:23.974-05:00Inspiring KidsLocal Media StoriesTeen Genius Helps Fight Cancer Photo from Daily Herald/Rick Majewski A Naperville teenager is using his brains to help fight cancer.  There's a great article in the Daily Herald about 17-year-old Nolan Maloney. Maloney is about to be a senior at Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) and his name is already listed on an important research paper to help find a cure for a rare kind of cancer.  He's been working with adults http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/bkz2RQn4yYY/teen-genius-helps-fight-cancer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/bkz2RQn4yYY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/07/teen-genius-helps-fight-cancer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-2632536579763511430Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:41:00 +00002011-07-21T08:43:47.793-05:00Rising Above Her Disability Photo from ChicagoParent.com There's a great article in Chicago Parent Magazine written by a 20-year-old college student who is rising above her disability.  Hannah Thompson was born with cerebral palsy and three movement disorders.  She uses a wheelchair and a communication device called a DynaVox to speak.   Despite her disabilities, she says she consistently demands excellence from herself http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/Nq2L8JhZa9o/rising-above-her-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/Nq2L8JhZa9o" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/07/rising-above-her-disability.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733840650188125150.post-4209413433220832475Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:41:00 +00002011-07-21T08:10:16.912-05:00Golf Pro Gets Massive Support Photo from FriendsofRichFlores.org Two area golf courses will be filled on Monday with friends and family members of golf instructor Rich Flores. Earlier this year, Flores was diagnosed with a rare condition called Cardiac Amyloidosis that was complicated by a form of blood cancer.  The Batavia man has gone through chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and had stem cells that were previously harvestedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~3/UZ1Gqs-tMrA/golf-pro-gets-massive-support.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah Jindra)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/inspiremechicago/ZldN/~4/UZ1Gqs-tMrA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.inspiremechicago.com/2011/07/golf-pro-gets-massive-support.html