One man. One plane. Flying 500 miles to raise funds and collect 1,350 wishes from kids, in honor of Children\u2019s Home & Aid\u2019s 135 years of caring for kids and families<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul Wood has had many rewarding roles in his life: co-founder and retired Managing Partner at Chicago\u2019s Madison Dearborn Partners, father and a private pilot. One of his most satisfying roles has been serving as a trustee on Children\u2019s Home & Aid\u2019s Board of Directors for nearly 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On June 4, Paul and Children\u2019s Home & Aid CEO Nancy Ronquillo will take off in a two-seater classic plane on a four-stop tour of Children\u2019s Home & Aid\u2019s programs across Illinois. Their goal: gather the wishes and dreams of 1,350 of the children served by Children\u2019s Home & Aid\u2019s 70 programs across the state, and raise funds in support of Children\u2019s Home & Aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI fell in love with airplanes and flying when I a child,\u201d Paul says. \u201cMy grandfather was an engineer who designed, built and repaired aircraft, and I was completely fascinated. I am so pleased to have found a way to combine my passion for flight with my passion for helping kids and families in Illinois.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul is personally underwriting all costs associated with the campaign and reaching out to friends and corporate leaders to invite them to join him in the Hope with Wings tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am looking forward to meeting some of the 40,000 kids and families served every year by Children\u2019s Home & Aid, as well as some of the 800 staff who work so hard to care for them,\u201d Paul says. \u201cWith my family\u2019s love and support, I was able to achieve many of the dreams I had as a child. I am honored to be able to give back to help these kids and families achieve their dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c2018 marks Children\u2019s Home & Aid\u2019s 135th<\/span><\/sup> year of caring for Illinois\u2019 most vulnerable children,\u201d said Nancy Ronquillo, CEO. \u201cThe Hope with Wings project is part of a year-long celebration of this legacy. As Paul and I visit each of our program sites, we will be gathering mementos from staff, community members, some of the children we serve, documenting their wishes and dreams for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n RSVP and join us at our stops in Chicago<\/a>, Rockford<\/a>, Cahokia<\/a> and Bloomington<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n