On Sunday, December 13, Lakeside CDC hosted dozens of supporters at its 2010 Year of Service Campaign Launch. The Campaign will result in 1,820 of volunteer time, talent, and treasure being contributed through Lakeside for the benefit of our clients and communities. The Campaign Launch event served to celebrate our 2009 volunteers and introduce the Campaign. Priarie Moon Restaurant served great food, the Edgewater Beach Trio provided wonderful music, and all enjoyed warm camaraderie.

Among the highlights:

• Robert Fickes (right) received Lakeside CDC's inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was given in recognition of Robert's unstinting generosity of time and talent to Lakeside as a grant writer, staff mentor, and all around good sport. Robert started volunteering at Lakeside in 2006, after attending a condo association workshop and recognizing the emerging organization might benefit from his past experiences in journalism, marketing and nonprofit management and development. Over time, Robert helped Lakeside raise funds, complete its application to become HUD-certified, and improve many of its key programs. His service to Lakeside continued even after he relocated Door County, Wisconsin, where his family has owned a home for nearly 30 years.

• Guests viewed "Pass it On", a PSA created by students at Loyola as part of their semester-long community service research project. The PSA highlights how indiviudals can help prevent a foreclosure by sharing information with someone they know who is facing a tough time. It has been documented that the intervention of friends and family are vital for making foreclosure efforts like Lakeside's successful. You can view the PSA here.

• Collecting commitments of time, talent, and treasure from more than two dozen guests, including commitments to create igive.com campaigns at work, field teams for Lakeside's spring Bowl-a-Thon, and commitments of more than 150 hours in volunteer service, nearly 10% of our goal!

Thanks to everyone who supported the event with tickets, donations, and ads in our program book. If you would like to donate to our 2010 Year of Service, it is not too late! Click here to make a donation. To learn more about volunteering, please contact our Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, Patrick Nolan at (773) 381-5253 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .