Programs & Events

Join us throughout the year at community and public programs at which our Gift of Hope staff and volunteers are engaged with community advocate and providing education about life-giving organ, eye and tissue donation.

In addition to our public programs and fundraisers below, please check our programs specifically for:

• Donor families
• Hospital professionals
• Funeral service professionals
• Medical examiners, coroners, state’s attorneys and law enforcement

Chicago Airport Expo and Job Fair
May 16, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Ill.

This event attracts Chicago residents of all ages to explore careers at O’Hare and Midway airports. Gift of Hope will promote donor registration.
Contact: Syreeta Talbert

What’s Blooming on Harrison Street Festival of the Arts
May 18, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Oak Park Arts District, 145 Harrison St., Oak Park, Ill.

What’s Blooming on Harrison Street is an annual spring event where local artists and art galleries open their doors and welcome the public in. Gift of Hope will sponsor this event and host a table to promote donor registrations.
Contact: Tonisha Brown

Legacy & Loved Ones Water Lantern Festival
May 18, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
200 S. Rand Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 60047

We invite donor families to celebrate their loved one’s legacy by participating in the Water Lantern Festival with our Gift of Hope families. Connect with other donor families and Ambassadors as we come together to honor our loved one’s side by side at this beautiful community event.
Registration required. Contact: Donor Family Services

Harvey Neighborhood Resource Fair
May 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Gloria Taylor Banquet Hall, 14821 Broadway Ave., Harvey, Ill.

The United Way Transforming Places Neighborhood Network is excited to introduce the Harvey Neighborhood Network and celebrate with their Safe Summer Community Cookout. Gift of Hope will host a table to promote donor registrations as part of their focus on wellness.
Contact: Tonisha Brown

YMCA Senior Health and Fitness Day
May 29, 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Puri Family YMCA, 1475 S. Perryville Rd., Rockford, Ill. 

Gift of Hope will host a table to promote donor registrations at this event focused on senior wellness.
Contact: Luis Ortega

Hope on the Pier Summer Series
May 29, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
(Held on the fourth Wednesday of May, June, July, August and September)
Windy City Ribs and Whiskey-Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, Ill.

We’re partnering with Windy City Ribs to promote donor registrations to all customers visiting the restaurant.
Contact: Syreeta Talbert

Virtual Grief Support Group: For donor families
June 4, 6 – 7 p.m.
Virtually via Zoom

All donor families are welcome to join us monthly for our Open Grief Support Group via Zoom. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. CST. Contact Donor Family Services to register.

Memory Box Assembly Workshop
June 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jupiter’s at the Crossing, 2511 Village Green Pl., Champaign, Ill.

We invite all those who have been touched by donation to connect during this workshop, while assembling memory boxes to be given to future donor families. Contact Donor Family Services to register.