our 9th annual fundraiser is here!!

 Our ninth annual fundraiser is on Saturday April 26,2025 at the Morris Country Club.
Don't miss out, it will be a great night!! $45 at the door. It will be a great night!!!

sponsorship opportunities

Thinking about becoming a sponsor for our 9th annual fundraiser? Click on the file to see the different levels of sponsorship opportunities to support Team Make a Difference. 
If you would like to donate to TMaD, click on the link below:

Video from Kindness gala

sharing the video we played at the Kindness Gala that TMaD was honored October of 2022

in memory of Sandra Roechner donations

We would like to thank all who have donated to Team Make a Difference in our mom, Sandy's honor

Dave and MaryBeth Adams
Jim and Nan Allers
Nick and Marijo Amatulli
Dave and Karen Babich
Todd Baker
Al and Heather Baras Family
Jim and Diane Barnes
Shirley Barr
Debra Benante
Carrie Bernickus
Rick and Marcy Bernickus
Dan Beutel and Ani Toke
Felicia, Karen, Katy, Jennifer, Susan, Candy from Dr. Roechner's office
Vicki and Steve Breslan-Golub
Joan Buechel
Edna Cagwin
Jennifer Cantu
Don, Sandy, and Mike Carey
Vittorino and Phyllis Carusi
Joyce Chirich
Bill and Tonja Conte
Bill and Judy Corum
Terry and Susan D'Arcy
The Fred Dames Family
Mark and Eric Demick
​Katherine Diemer
Doug and Dr. Lanette Disera-Geissler
John and Andrea DiVeccio
Ed and Gloria Dollinger
Wayne and Janice Eltoft
Robert Fornier
Tom and Janice Giarrante
Mary Gliwa
​Megan Goolsby
​Bill and Mary Greenback
Sharon Gryzb
Juan and Yaritza Guzman
Kari Hamilton
Ellen Hanouw
Dave and Sue Harris
Keith and Amanda Hernandez
Greg and Debbie Homer
Jay Homer
Angelo and Fran Hondros
Lorie Hungate
Dave and Lisa Jolin
Phyllis Keca
Marco and Lainie Kennedy
Pat Krakar
Richard and Luann Krall
Frank and Joan Krumpoch
Judit Toke Ksiazek
Dave Laketa
Tony and Jody Lakota
Donna Likovic
Margaret Lindgren
Mark Lord and Marge Hummel
Sylvia Michas
Joan Middaugh
John and Toni Muren
Mike and Nicole Murray
Barry and Diane Narvick
Lauren Offerman
Moira Olivetti
Otto's Bar
​Greg and Patti Paul
Jim and Amy Pelnarsh
Patrick and Megan Phillips
Gary and Cristy Pirc
Doug and Traci Plut
Pat Potter
Shirley Price
Dave and Martine Pullara and Family
Matt and Beccie Ramuta
Richard and Linda Roberts
Fred and Bonita Robinson
Zoe Roechner
Robert and Chris Romac
Mark and Anita Schneidewind
Mary Shutty
Ken and Nettie Simonich and KC
Paula Skiotes
Erin Spinola
Steve and Sandy Staniszewski
Ron and Mary Strohman 
Gina Thomas
Thanas Thomas
Otto Toke Family
Rozalia Toke
Diane Troy (Three Hierarchs Philoptochos Society Board)
Pete and Barb Valek
Jeff Verchimak
Linda Verchimak and Dana Howd
Richelle Voitik
Tom and MaryAnn Walsh
Rita Weiss
Dan and Koni Whiteman
Shelley Wyka and Family

lINKS TO NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ABOUT Team make a difference

IN MEMORY OF KIM BAKER DONATIONS

We would like to thank all who have donated to Team Make a Difference in Kim's name

​Melissa Athos                                           Velta Kalejs                                            Joanne Rosenbush
Jason and Amy Buss                                Lynne, Lynch, Lorin Lichtenauer               Kelly Studer
Martha Donlon and Mary Carberry          Burke Masters                                        Pooja Verma
Kim Gregory                                             Alan and Kathleen McLaughlin               Giannina Wlison
Renee Kalejs                                             Michael Mostyn                                     Joliet Bourbon Club

We would also like to thank the following for donating to the Baker makeover
ASA- chicago chapter                              Meg Denewellis                                     Samantha England
Doug and Mary Lynn Gallentine               Nicole Hennings                                     Eric and Lori Ortineau
Andrew and Susan Runde                       William Schuler - State Farm Insurance

in memory of Frank shutty donations

We would like to thank all who have donated to Team Make a Difference in Frank's name
Darin Weakley                                              George and Paula Skiotes                          Shirley Price
Roger and Karen Christanson                     Sue Stith                                                      Bev Ketenbrink
Pat Casanova                                               Lea Kontos                                                 Don Carey
Phyllis Keca                                                  Della Mae Weakley                                   Catt and Vic Carusi
​Mary Loretta Shutty

in memory of ryan bernickus donations

We would like to thank all who have donated to Team Make a Difference in Ryan's name
Victor and Marguerite Babic                             Carolyn Bernickus                                   W.J. and Mary Bernickus
Peter Butler                                                         Peter and Theresa Butler                        Valerie Connor
Mark and Gayle Conrad                                    Lori Davis                                                Mike and Sue Day
Kim and Trudy Deslauriers                                 Michelle Drescher                                  Jim and Wendy Feeney
R.A. and B.A. Fournier                                         Patty Fox                                                  Pat and Sherry Friend
Tom and Janice Giarrante                                 Joanne Gonda                                       Jeff Gromos
Greg and D'Anna Gugerty                                 Leigh Hall                                                Brent and Jane Hanouw
Duane and Ronita Harseim                               Kelly and Gail Hussey                           Wesley and Rebecca Johnson
John and Maureen Keegan                               Steven and Marcia Machetta               Laura Martin
Bruce and Sue Matteson                                    Mayor Dick Kopczick                             MCHS Basketball Boosters
Michael Murphy                                                  Barry and Diane Narvick                        Richard and Kay Olson
Joseph and Janine Petric                                    Edward and Dawn Reinhart                 Jeff and Kim Struck
J.M. White and J.P. Gonda                                   Kevin and Beverly White

Our other programs - words of encouragement and TMaD elves

Team Make a Difference has started 2 new programs we are very excited  to tell you about. Our new "words of encouragement" program will send cards to pick up the spirits of our previous heroes and families. TMaD also created our "TMaD Elves" program and has partnered with Holiday D'Lights to decorate (and remove) outside lights on our previous year's heroes homes for the holiday season.

about us

Team Make a Difference is a 501C3 nonprofit organization that was established in 2013 to help people in need, a "Hero", by renovating a dream room for them. This space is considered their special place within their home, where they spend most of their time. We want to create an atmosphere that will be accessible for their needs and also one that is uplifting, beautiful and unique to the individual. It will be their comfort zone, a place where they can quietly heal and regain strength and hope. Team Make a Difference will also provide a scrapbook along with a family photo taken by our photographer, which will provide everlasting memories of our journey together.

current board of directors 

             Executive Board                                                            
       Audra Crowther - President                                                
     Adrianne Toke - Vice President  
     Andrea Carey - Secretary/Treasurer                                          
                          
                                                                                           
    Hero/Scholarship Selection Board                                 
               Amy Pesavento                                                  
               Koni Whiteman                                                     
               Jeff Verchimak

              Board of Directors    
            Angelique Bergeson
               Marcy Bernickus
                 Rick Bernickus
                   Andy Gliwa
                   Mary Gliwa
                  Kristy Kitchell
                 Jennifer Miller
                Martine Pullara



How it all began

         Most of us have somehow been touched by cancer, death, or a tragedy of some sort. It seems most positive actions, for example M.A.D.D. or Susan G Komen, are started after a tragedy. You are touched deeply and are left with a desire to do something about it. It creates a passion in you. A passion to make something positive out of something very negative. When someone you love is hurt, you just want to find any way possible to help and comfort. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do. It was after Marijo’s room make-over (where the idea was really planted, I just didn’t know it yet) that a friend called to ask if I would consider doing room make-overs as job. As much as I loved doing it, It just didn’t fit as a real paying job to me. I told her I would really think about it. I said no and weeks later as I was driving, it hit me! I had that ah-ha moment of what I want to do when I grow up. Funny, but true. I’ve always loved to help others. I’ve always loved to be creative and personalize things. I’ve always loved photography. I’ve always loved to decorate. And of course, I love to be my own boss! And as horrible as it was to watch my Dad, and others close to me fight cancer, I always thought, how lucky they are to have people who love them and want to care for them, AND have the ability to. The reality is, there are so many people that don’t even have a bed to rest in or a support network. I made some phone calls, explained my idea, and Team Make A Difference was created! The process has taken over a year and we are SOOO excited to finally begin! I hope you will follow us on our journey and join us if you can! Thanks for listening. :)                                             
                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                          - Audra Crowther, president