save the date for our 9th annual fundraiser!!
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!! $35 presale and $45 at the door. Get your tickets now!
Don't miss out, it will be a great night!! $35 presale and $45 at the door. Get your tickets now!
Purchase your presale tickets now!!!
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.
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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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
- Audra Crowther, president