Heartland Animal Shelter collaborated in a volunteer initiative alongside the SBB Research Group Foundation, which partners with local nonprofits through its Champion A Charity Program. The SBB Research Group Foundation in Northbrook hosted a Heartland Animal Shelter event, which focused on enhancing the well-being of shelter dogs through engaging in enrichment activities. With a focus on improving the mental health and well-being of animals, volunteers from the SBBRG Foundation and representatives from Heartland Animal Shelter gathered to construct busy boxes (enrichment puzzles) for the dogs. The boxes helped enhance their foraging skills and reduce kennel stress. This initiative highlighted the commitment to providing mental stimulation alongside physical activity for the shelter's residents. Laura Heisinger, Charity Leader, expressed delight at the enthusiasm among participants. "We had such an amazing turnout of volunteers and made an incredible number of busy boxes. Everyone was so eager to help—it was wonderful," Heisinger remarked. The event even had a unique canine visitor, Hoagie, a bulldog mix, who was a big highlight. He was the show's star, enjoying a brief escape from the shelter and spreading joy among the attendees. For those interested in learning more about Heartland Animal Shelter and its efforts to support animal welfare, detailed information is available on its official website heartlandanimalshelter.org . This story can be found on PRWeb

Hunger Resource Network received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation , which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Hunger Resource Network (HRN) , based in Northbrook, IL, focuses on reducing hunger by supporting food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters throughout Chicagoland. HRN’s mission involves providing essential food resources and fostering partnerships to address the nutritional needs of the local community, striving to make a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger. HRN envisions a future where those experiencing food insecurity receive comprehensive assistance. Key initiatives, like the Poultry to Pantries program, symbolize the journey toward food security and advocate for widespread support. The Poultry to Pantries event brings the community together to raise awareness about hunger issues and inspire participants to overcome personal challenges. Twice each year, HRN purchases hundreds of thousands of pounds of nutritious, protein-rich chicken—a crucial yet often scarce resource for organizations feeding those in need. On Poultry to Pantries Delivery Days, numerous trucks arrive at HRN's distribution center to collect their allocations of chicken, which they then distribute to various food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across Chicagoland. Kerry Smith, the Development Director of Hunger Resource Network, shares, "Our recipients frequently cook the chicken on the day they receive it, highlighting their immediate need. We are committed to enhancing our efforts to reach even more people in the future. In 2023, HRN successfully provided 436,670 meals." HRN's strategy includes educational initiatives, outreach programs, and collaborative partnerships to provide valuable insights, foster connections, and address critical issues like food insecurity and nutrition in the community. Peer mentorship programs offer a platform for individuals to share experiences and provide mutual support, fostering empathy and personal growth. HRN's Chicagoland Partnerships aim to create meaningful connections and camaraderie among community members, volunteers, and organizations through shared experiences and available resources. HRN remains dedicated to providing individuals with the resources and support needed to navigate food insecurity and lead fulfilling lives. “We are honored to support the Hunger Resource Network’s dedication to combating food insecurity through an initiative like Poultry to Pantries to support impactful organizations addressing critical community needs,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. This story can be found on Yahoo!

The SBB Research Group Foundation recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the May 2024 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits (in alphabetical order): Project Education Plus (Chicago, IL) enlightens youth on capitalizing on society's educational, technological, and recreational opportunities. Additionally, they assist marginalized communities in Chicago, including children, seniors, and families. Support Over Stigma (St. Charles, IL) is committed to saving the lives of military personnel, Veterans, first responders, and their families. They achieve this by providing the necessary support, education, tools, and resources to help individuals overcome mental health and service-related challenges. You Matter 2 (Flossmoor, IL) is dedicated to nurturing leadership and personal development among South Suburban youth. The organization empowers young individuals, honors cultural roots, and encourages community involvement. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant . Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on PRWeb

Support Over Stigma received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation , which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Support Over Stigma (SOS) , located in St. Charles, IL, is dedicated to empowering military members, veterans, first responders, and their families through a comprehensive array of support to address mental health and service-related challenges. SOS strives to provide the necessary aid, education, tools, and resources to help conquer mental health obstacles, ultimately saving lives. SOS envisions a future where individuals affected by service-related mental health challenges, such as military, veteran, and first responder PTSD, find comprehensive support. Guided by core values of inclusivity, empathy, integrity, transparency, and advocacy, the organization directs its efforts through initiatives like Steps of Strength, a symbolic event representing the journey toward mental well-being and advocating for broad support. Steps of Strength is a gathering of community solidarity and empowerment. It encourages participants to surmount personal barriers while raising awareness about the mental health struggles encountered by those in service. Educational initiatives, outreach endeavors, and partnerships form integral parts of SOS's approach, aiming to offer valuable insights, nurture connections, and tackle pressing issues like homelessness and food insecurity within these communities. Peer-to-peer mentorship initiatives provide a platform for individuals to connect, exchange experiences, and offer mutual assistance, fostering empathy and personal development. Additionally, SOS's Midwest Military Partnerships facilitate meaningful connections and camaraderie among service members, veterans, and their families through shared experiences and available resources. Zoeie Kreiner, SOS President and CEO, says, "We all have the ability to make a difference. It's just about making the choice to get up and do it." SOS is committed to equipping individuals with the tools and support they need to navigate mental health challenges and lead fulfilling lives. “Support Over Stigma’s commitment to empowering military members, veterans, first responders, and their families with crucial mental health support aligns perfectly with our mission to make a meaningful impact,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. This story can be found on Business Wire

DKMS collaborated in a volunteer initiative alongside the SBB Research Group Foundation , which partners with local nonprofits through its Champion A Charity Program. At Framingham State University, an exciting endeavor took shape as Jennie Osber, the volunteer project leader, led a collaboration between the University’s Aspiring Health Professionals Club and the nonprofit organization DKMS. DKMS, known for combating blood cancer and disorders, focuses on awareness, donor recruitment, and fundraising to cover registration costs for bone marrow donors, thereby supporting vital research in blood cancer therapies. The event centered on encouraging attendees to join the bone marrow registry by undergoing a simple cheek swab process facilitated by DKMS-provided kits. Thanks to Osber's efforts, the event saw an impressive turnout, with approximately 30 new participants signing up for the registry and word spreading rapidly across campus. The collected cheek swab samples were swiftly dispatched to DKMS for crucial human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing. This essential step enhances the chances of successful bone marrow transplants by identifying compatible donors, offering hope to those grappling with blood cancer. This event at Framingham State University not only advanced DKMS's mission but also underscored the profound impact of community engagement in the fight against blood cancer. The commitment of SBB Research Group Foundation and DKMS volunteers exemplified the power of collective action in making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals affected by blood disorders. For further information, please visit dkms.org . This story can be found on Globe Newswire

The SBB Research Group Foundation named Bolaji Akorede a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Bolaji Akorede is a first-year graduate student in biomedical sciences at the University of Wyoming. He has worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in the High-Altitude Exercise Aging Research Team (HEART) Lab, and has used his work to drive data-driven solutions to socioeconomic problems. "Bolaji has a strong vision for the future for himself and his community. I'm so glad we can play a part in his success," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation's STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org . This story can be found on Yahoo!

The SBB Research Group Foundation named Jesus Manuel Reyes a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Jesus Reyes, a first-year graduate student in biological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, has conducted various field research, including searching for Burmese pythons in Florida, handling alligators and pythons at an animal park in Texas, and conducting crocodile population surveys in Belize. "Jesus has made the most of his educational opportunities, and we're proud to help him move toward his next adventure," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation's STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org . This story can be found on PRWeb

The SBB Research Group Foundation named Michelle Lam a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Michelle Lam, a first-year student, studies mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Outside the classroom, Lam has designed an adapted baseball launcher for children with disabilities and worked to bring STEM education to under-resourced schools. "Michelle is so creative, and she's excited about using her education to make the world a better place. We're lucky to be able to support students like her," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation's STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org .

The SBB Research Group Foundation recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the June 2024 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits (in alphabetical order): A&L Youth and Family Services (ALYFS) (Chicago, IL) empowers young individuals by providing a secure environment, supportive mentors, and impactful programming. These initiatives help youth develop life and workforce skills. ALYFS is committed to offering diverse and engaging opportunities for youth and mentors, fostering community servant leadership. Chicago Wall of Fame (Chicago, IL) offers transformative programs for at-risk youth. It provides small group sessions, one-on-one mentoring, homework assistance, and life skills training for low-income families with high-risk youth. It also provides community assistance to seniors aged 55 and older. Hunger Resource Network (HRN) (Northbrook, IL) is dedicated to alleviating hunger by connecting surplus food with people in need. HRN operates through initiatives like Community Outreach Days - Poultry to Pantries, coordinating services via recipient agencies rather than serving individuals directly. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant . Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Business Wire

The SBB Research Group Foundation invited three prior grant recipients to share updates on their critical efforts to support the local community. The Foundation awarded additional grants to further each of the respective organization’s missions (organizations listed alphabetically): Caring 4 Kids Clothing (Winthrop Harbor, IL) Caring for Kids Clothing addresses the pressing issue of clothing inadequacy among hundreds of children annually. Providing essential items such as warm winter gear, school uniforms, everyday clothing, and more, ensuring that every child's basic needs are met. Intergenerational Computer Education (Chicago, IL) Intergenerational Computer Education (ICE) aims to empower individuals across all age groups to excel in the digital realm through inclusive education and training. Milton Township Food Pantry (Wheaton, IL) Milton Township Food Pantry’s provides support to individuals and families facing food insecurity. This organization ensures residents have access to nutritious, wholesome fresh food, including perishable and non-perishable items. "We're proud to support these organizations as they continue to make meaningful differences in their community," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Yahoo!