Chamber Choice Business Awards Program February 11, 2009

APPLICATION FORM –COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THE JUDGING PROCESS ALL INFORMATION BELOW MUST BE COMPLETED. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL BE ELIMINATED.

A. Choice of Category: (check one) Not-for-Profit (X) Philanthropic ( )

B. Initial Criteria necessary to move forward through the judging process: 1. Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry Member (X) 2. Business or organization has been in existence for five or more years (X) 3. If a not-for-profit, primarily privately funded (not fully supported by tax dollars) (X) If the nominee does not meet the above criteria the candidate will be eliminated.

C. General Information:

Business or Organization Name: Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 ______

Address: 1030 Warren Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515

E Mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Phone 630-968-4550

Principal(s): Roy A. Brown III, Governor – Michael R. Pelling Administrator

Number of years in business or service: 78 Years in Downers Grove, at present location since 1953

Note: Within one week of semi-finalist announcements, it is required that a jpg or tif version of headshot(s) be e-mailed to the Chamber office ([email protected]).

Page 1 of 5 For the following part of the application, please use additional sheets for your response. The following section should be typed and sent to the Chamber office in hard copy format.

D. Judging Criteria

NOTE: It is to your advantage to provide as much information as possible to assist the judges in the selection process as nominations are graded only on the information provided and not previous knowledge (if any) of the nominee. Questions left unanswered will impair the evaluation.

1. Unique or innovative approaches: (extent to which the applicant contributes to customers, employees or the community)

Moose, the Family Fraternity: An international organization of men and women, dedicated to caring for young and old, bringing communities closer together and celebrating life.

Our Lodge plans family activities for bringing families together, such as: - Breakfast with Santa - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - Children’s Halloween Party - Member’s Halloween Party - Live Music Nights in the social quarters for members to enjoy fellowship. - Tea dances on Sunday afternoons for our senior members to enjoy lunch and dancing. - Friday night dinners from September to May. - Monthly membership breakfast and monthly Moose Legion Breakfast. - Special Family events on Saturday nights with Food, Fellowship and Family Fun. - Fall & Winter Bags League in Lodge to bring members together weekly. - Craft activities with the children from Mooseheart. - Dinners planned for the children at Mooseheart. - Summer Sports teams playing in multiple leagues bringing members together on the field of competition. This year we had teams compete in Softball, Volley Ball and Bowling.

We are a fraternity that offers events and clubs for all members:

- Loyal Order of Moose (LOOM): 1050+ Male members in Downers Grove Family Center #1535 planning activities and supporting community events in and around Downers Grove.

- Women of the Moose (WOTM): 250+ Women members in Downers Grove planning activities and events to support the Loyal Order of Moose and community activities in and around Downers Grove.

- Moose Legion: 50+ LOOM members who donate to scholarships, Lodge needs, Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Moose legion members hold breakfasts and dinners in an effort to raise money for worthy causes.

- Fellowship – 15+ LOOM members who donate to Lodge needs, Mooseheart, Moosehaven and community service.

Page 2 of 5 - Pilgrim – 3 LOOM members who donate to Lodge needs, Mooseheart, Moosehaven and community service.

- Rod & Gun Club – 30+ LOOM & WOTM members interested in Hunting as a sport.

- Mooseriders – 25+ LOOM & WOTM members interested a motorcycle safety and short group trips.

- Keenagers: 20+ LOOM & WOTM members 55+ who gather together for fellowship and events such as day trips and casual dining.

2. Community involvement: (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, service organizations, etc.)

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 has been part of the community since 1930, and in our present location since 1953.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 has been an active member of the Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce since 2005

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 provided Tommy Moose to Downers Grove Police & Fire Departments. Tommy Moose a warm stuffed animal given to calm young children in crisis situations.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 is a founding member of the “Salute to Service” organization in Downers Grove. Two of our members are currently on the Board of Directors of “Salute to Service”, with two others highly involved.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 sponsors two Cub Scout Packs and a Boy Scout Troup.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 provides space for Tiger Scout, Cub Scout and Boy Scout events such as Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold Dinner.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 provided a space for a Local Eagle Scout Candidate to plan, execute and complete his eagle scout project.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 sopnsored two teams in the Dolls Softball Program. We also provided two scholarships for young girls to play in the Doll Softball program.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 provided space for multiple clubs and organiczation such as:

- Road Runnes Youth Soccer - Downers Grove Little League Organizational and draft meetings - Westmont Babe Ruth Youth Baseball organizational and draft meetings. - Downers Grove pool meetings. - Downers Grove Junior Womens Club yearly fund raiser. - St. Joseph fund raising space. - Bunco for Breast Cancer. Page 3 of 5 - Car judging during Heritage Fest.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 Rod & Gun Club co-sponsored the Fishing Derby held this year for their eight time.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 Rod & Gun Club sopnsored a team in the Downers Grove Little League Program.

The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 Rod & Gun Club provided eight two day gun saftey courses to youth interested in hunting as a sport.

3. Bonus: (Putting it all together, enlightened employee empowerment, or other attributes that set this organization or individual apart from typical benchmarks.)

- The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 is a family fraternity completely run by a volunteer Board of Directors. There are nine LOOM members on this board that volunteer many hours of their time each week to make sure that the our Moose Family Home is a place all our members want to visit.

- Our Lodge Publishes a newsletter, “The RoundUp”, every month that is mailed to 1350+ members. This advises all members of planned events and activities.

- Our Lodge eMails an eNewsletter to membership to advise members of new activities planned or changes to current activities.

- Our Lodge utilizes the World Wide Web by having www.DGMoose.org web site up and available to members 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year.

- Board of Officers Names, Phone Numbers & Email addresses are available to all members if a question comes up. All members are advised to call one of the Board of Officers at any time.

- The Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 was recognized with in the Moose International Fraternity with the following awards this year:

a. 2007-2008 Illini Star - Lodge of the Year b. 2007-2008 Illini Star - YCC contributions c. 2007-2008 Illini Star - Rookie – Haynes d. 2007-2008 Illini Star - Sponsor - Stocki1. e. 2007-2008 Quota Buster f. 2007-2008 Moose Lodge of the Year - Nominee g. 2007-2008 Moose Charities h. 2007-2008 DG Rookie of the Year i. 2007-2008 DG Moose of the Year j. 2007-2008 Presidents Club - Jay Stocki k. 2007-2008 Presidents Club - Roy Brown l. 2007-2008 Premier Lodge - Silver Division m. 2007-2008 YCC Old Faithfull n. 2007-2008 Web Master - Mike Pelling Page 4 of 5 Included are our lthe Downers Grove Moose Family Center #1535 Family activities and community service reports for last year.

Signature of applicant or nominator: Roy A. Brown III ______

Date: December 8, 2008 ______

Return this application by December 5, 2008 to: Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry; 2001 Butterfield Rd., Suite 105 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Thank you very much!

Check List:

(X) Choice of category chosen (X) Initial criteria met (X) General information completed (X) Judging criteria completed (X) Unique or innovative approaches (X) Community involvement (X) Bonus information (X) Form signed and dated (X) Eight copies of application packet submitted (X) If chosen as a semi-finalist, you are prepared to e mail jpg or tiff version of headshot(s).

Please notify Chamber staff if you wish your application packet to be returned to you. One copy will be maintained at the Chamber office for archiving purposes.

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