IPRA Today - 'Tis the Season to Pay it Forward!

'Tis the Season to Pay it Forward!

The endowment is housed within the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and only the interest earned will be used to support IPRA member’s educational needs. The principal will remain intact to ensure that the funds donated by individuals like you, will be used to help build the future of parks and recreation professionals throughout the state of Illinois for years to come.

Through the generosity of current and retired park directors, superintendents and professionals the endowment fund stands at $245,000. The goal is to reach $500,000. Last year more than 100 individuals donated a total of $10,000. There is no reason we cannot double that amount this year. The interest from this fund is used to award scholarships and financial aid to park and recreation majors and young professionals in Illinois. The higher the endowment the more interest it generates; hence more aid can be given.

We are asking every park, recreation and conservation professional in the state to make a donation to the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation to perpetuate well educated, highly qualified leadership of our park and recreation agencies.

IPRA has provided the networking forums and professional interaction that enabled us to build our reputations and open the doors to career advancement.

Please join us in making a contribution so that those that follow us will have the same opportunities afforded to them.

Ray Ochromowicz and Mike Rylko
Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation Trustees

To make a donation today, click here. All donations are tax deductible.

Grab hold,
And take this hand that
Reaches out to you.

Look up
Into my eyes;
My spirit
Cries out to you:
Friendship is my thought.

Let us climb
The jagged cliffs of life
And fight the ascent of
Opposition together.

If I can lift you today,
You will look back
And grab the hands of a thousand more.

Two Native American Indians are struggling on the face of a jagged cliff. The one above reaches out and extends himself, grasping for the one below. The one below looks up and also reaches out to receive the hand of safety and strength. Climbing the mountain of life we learn, grow and, hopefully, increase in wisdom. As we continue the trek, we realize it is not just about ourselves. It is then that we pause, turn around, and reach out our hand in assistance to those who can benefit from out travels.

536 East Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525 | Phone: 708-588-2280 | Fax : 708-354-0535