Our fundraiser is back!

Save the date for our 7th annual fundraiser Saturday April 22nd at the Morris Country Club! Purchase your ticket through PayPal below. See you there!
Tickets for Seventh Annual Fundraiser

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 new 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.
click on this link before you shop at amazon.com and Team Make a Difference will receive a portion of the sale!

about us

Team make a difference is a new nonprofit organization that was established 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.

board of directors for 2017-2018

             Executive Board                                                            
       Audra Crowther - President                                                
     Adrianne Toke - Vice President                                            
                          
                                                                                           
    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