WDSRA Annual Appeal Goes Thru December 31st
2017-11-01 - 2017-12-31
The Annual Appeal goes through December 31st. We need your help!
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
DONATE

Why Give? Hear directly from families on how your gifts have made a difference in their lives:

Follow the personal journey a self-proclaimed helicopter mom took to reach the peace of mind she needed to entrust her son with someone other than family members for the first time.
How does a single mom whose adult son needs structure every day get by? Hear Amanda and Matthew’s story.
Imagine finding yourself homeless. This was one mom’s struggle. Was summer camp for her daughter even possible or was her daughter going to spend her summer in the car?
Find these and more stories at https://www.youtube.com/user/wdsra09

We need YOU…

To give every child the same experiences that we ourselves take for granted
To give families a break from the struggles of everyday life
To help meet the ever growing need of individuals with special needs in our communities

It is your support that is changing the lives of friends and neighbors. We thank YOU for making sure that WDSRA programs are here for every child and adult who depends on them as a fundamental part of their growth and development.
It is your support that gives a mother the confidence to turn over the care of her child to WDSRA. It is your support that provides respite for the family whose daily struggles can take its toll. Through it all, the entire family reaps benefits well beyond those of a recreational program.
All of this is possible because of YOU and the kindness you share with WDSRA.
Will you share your kindness once again by making a donation today?
Your gift is extremely important because it provides resources that will impact programming, supplies, scholarships, and the ever-important close participant-to-staff ratio that is critical to providing the best programming possible to individuals with special needs.
We need your help! We need YOU to change lives!
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
DONATE

THANK YOU for your Giving Tuesday gifts!
With 130 individuals donating more than $16,000 online we earned almost the full $10,000 match offered by The Coleman Foundation. That means over $26,000 was raised during a single day of giving… all because of YOU!

Comcast Cares Day
2018-04-21 08:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Join Us for Comcast Cares Day!
On Comcast Cares Day, Comcast employees, their families and friends will work alongside WDSRA families and friends on much needed projects. Last year’s projects included: vehicle washing, washing inside/outside windows of the facility and landscaping. Indoors will have many projects, which include assembly of different kits needed for WDSRA programs, golf invitations, Spring Fling preparation and thank you note creation. At Community Park, we will be assisting with the park clean-up. Specific projects for this year are still TBD.

Saturday, April 21, 2018
8:30AM-2:30PM
(Registration begins at 8:15AM)
Rain or Shine Event!
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Welcoming Site:
WDSRA, 116 N. Schmale Road, Carol Stream, IL
Additional Project Site: TBD

Comcast Cares Day–Every year on Comcast Cares Day, tens of thousands of Comcast employees, their families and friends strive to make a positive impact in neighborhoods across the country as part of their year-round commitment to making a difference.

Thank YOU for Supporting WDSRA Families at the Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic!
2018-06-11
Thank YOU for supporting WDSRA participants and families!
Your support makes a difference in the children, teens and adults who depend on special recreation as a large part of their growth and social development.
Although it was not the prettiest weather day, it was perfect for golf! We are so very grateful for:

Golfers who came out to support our families—150 golfers joined us for the day
Sponsors who recognized the importance of creating an outstanding event with their presence
Volunteers who helped throughout the day with their time and smiles
And of course, the wonderful staff at Arrowhead Golf Club

Charlie Long Award
Welcome to the newest recipient of the Charlie Long Award…Scott Karll! Scott has been an amazing volunteer, donor and overall proponent for WDSRA families and participants. He is a shining example of the legacy that Charlie Long created at WDSRA.

Photos
You can find photos from the entire day on our Facebook page.

If you are interested in supporting WDSRA through involvement with the Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic, please contact Lea Jackman at 630-681-0962 or leaj@wdsra.com.

Ribfest Volunteers
2018-07-04 - 2018-07-07 | RibFest, 700 S West St, Naperville, IL, 60540, United States
Volunteering at Ribfest … Fun, Easy and Equals Donation!
Wednesday, July 4th through Saturday, July 7th, 2018

WDSRA benefits from the generous support of the Exchange Club of Naperville. They request volunteers from WDSRA to support Ribfest. The more volunteers we send, the more they donate to WDSRA! You choose the day, shift and where to volunteer. After your shift is over, stay an enjoy the food, music and fun of Ribfest!
Some companies frequently support their employee’s volunteer efforts by offering them comp time for hours volunteered. Ask your Human Resources Manager. Please let us know if you volunteer so WDSRA can be credited. Sign up with friends and family!

Ribfest Volunteer Registration

You will be registering directly at the Ribfest site. Please make sure you tell them you are volunteering for WDSRA.

ANNUAL APPEAL Goes through Dec. 31st!
2018-11-01 - 2018-12-31
Haven’t given yet? Please consider WDSRA participants & families when planning your end of year giving.
Your contribution will go directly to bring social and recreational programs to children and adults with special needs. Your gift WILL change lives.
Please give generously. Ask friends and family members to donate too!
Donate TODAY!

Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic
2026-06-01 | Arrowhead Golf Course, 26W151 Butterfield Rd, Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
It’s a WIN for you and for WDSRA!
Fore a great cause! Join us on the green for a day packed with pars, putts, and plenty of heart. The WDSRA Golf Outing is your chance to enjoy 18 holes of fun while helping champion inclusive opportunities for individuals with special needs.
Funds raised go directly to support the quality community-based programming on which our families & participants rely and may be used to support programming needs, purchase sensory materials, scholarships, and more.
Limited spots available! We anticipate selling out early!
REGISTRATION
Interested in Being a Sponsor?
Contact Lea Jackman at leaj@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962 ext580. View the 2026 Sponsorship Form here.

Monday, June 1, 2026
NEW START TIME!
8:30am Check-in and breakfast
10am Shotgun start
11am-2pm Lunch at the Trolley
3-5pm Appetizers, awards, and happy hour
TEE UP TREATS!

Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar
Giveaways
Contest Holes
Raffles
On-course Beverages
More!

Event Location
Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
26W151 Butterfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
Event Cost
$225 per golfer
$900 per foursome
Dinner Only option $50 per person
Add-Ons
IMPORTANT – Everyone is encouraged to register early and to purchase all your extras online at the same time. This will ensure a quicker, smoother registration for everyone. There will be a 2 putt maximum per hole; or no worse than a bogey.
Survival Kit – Individual – includes 1 rope, 1 mulligan, 1 grenade, 1 kickout
Survival Kit – Foursome – includes 2 ropes, 2 mulligans, 2 grenade, 2 kickout
Split the Pot – 5 for $25 OR 15 for $50
Raffles – 5 for $25 OR 15 for $50
BE PREPARED – Available on the course – CASH ONLY!
Birdies for Bottles – putt for the chance to bring home a bottle – 1 for $10 or 3 for $20

Event Details
Includes the following:

Driving range & putting green
18 holes with cart
Scramble format
Contest hole prizes
Breakfast, Lunch & Happy Hour
Golfer awards
Cash bar

Charlie Long and the Charlie Long Award
Charlie Long was a shining example of someone who understood the meaning of community, philanthropy, support, and dedication. He was also an outstanding advocate for WDSRA. Charlie lived his life in an admirable way and as a result, left this world a better place than how he found it. We are proud to have been a part of Charlie’s family and he will always be a part of the WDSRA family. Charlie Long was a long time friend to WDSRA. His son Andy has been participating in WDSRA programs since 1977.
Because of the profound affect he had on the WDSRA family, in 2009 the Golf Classic was renamed in his honor and the Charlie Long Award was created to celebrate those individuals who continue to live their lives in the remarkable fashion that Charlie lived his.
We are proud to have been a part of Charlie’s family and he will always be a part of the WDSRA family.
Learn more about Charlie Long here.

The Bash - Supporting Participants & Families
2027-03-07 18:00 - 23:00 UTC | The Abbington, 3S002 IL-53, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137, United States
Celebrating 50 Years of Inclusion, Impact, and Inspiration!

You Did It — Our 50th Anniversary Bash SHATTERED RECORDS!
Because of YOU, our milestone celebration didn’t just shine… it SOARED!
We are thrilled to share the incredible, history‑making results from our 50th Anniversary Bash. Your generosity, passion, and belief in our mission made this the most successful event in our five decades!
Here’s what YOU made possible:

Close to 500 guests filling the room with energy and excitement
A record number of sponsors standing strong behind our mission & vision
The most successful Raise‑the‑Paddle in our history
Our endowment goal fully funded
A record 16 new members joining the Possibilities Society

And there’s more…
Thanks to your overwhelming Raise‑the‑Paddle gifts — paired with a generous $15,000 matching gift from the Harbaugh Family, AND a surprise $12,500 match from the Scott and Trish Karll Charitable Fund, AND a surprise $10,000 paddle raise from the Van Wyk Charitable Foundation — that portion alone skyrocketed to an incredible $106,250!
In all, a total of more than $250,000 was raised to advance our mission & vision!
Your support didn’t just break records—it strengthened our future. Every dollar fuels opportunity, independence, and empowerment for the participants and families we proudly serve.
We are humbled. We are grateful. And we are again inspired by this amazing community.
Thank you for making our 50th anniversary a celebration we will never forget!

Want to see the highlights?
The Bash Photo Gallery
Catch the brightest moments, biggest smiles, and best highlights from the night… visit The Bash photo gallery at https://my.guestpix.com/guest/access/135353/FAA237E9.
Opening the Evening with Fireworks!
We kicked off the evening by featuring our incredible participants and a few fireworks! Opening Video
Reaching Higher!
We celebrate our incredible participants—each one pushing boundaries, lifting one another up, and reaching higher than ever before. Here’s to the courage to grow, the strength to try, and the joy of achieving more than we imagined. Let’s keep reaching—higher, stronger, together! Raise-the-Paddle Video

We have an exciting evening planned just for you, including

Open bar, dinner, Premier auction, LIVE auction, Raise-the-Paddle for the Mission & Vision
NEW this year! Vacation Station (purchase a vacation of your choice) and Cheers to 50 Years! Punch Wall (punch for a prize)
Plus… Spirit Pull, Sip & Serve Outdoor Wicker Island Cart Raffle, Trip Raffle – 5-night stay for two in the Bahamas, Saint Maarten, or other Caribbean destination
Entertainment by Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos

After the event concludes, see all the event photos – and add yours! Click here or scan the QR code to view and upload.

Bash 2026 Raffles, LIVE Items, and Vacation Station Trips

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROGRAM BOOKLET

Bash 2026 Invitation
Vacation Station – Buy it Now! No bidding necessary!

Molly Korb, WDSRA Foundation Trustee, and Kristy Henson, WDSRA Development Manger, want you to know about an exciting opportunity just for YOU! The Vacation Station, new this year at the Bash, offers 6 different trips that you can buy NOW and travel LATER. No bidding necessary! Trips are available for purchase 2/28 thru 3/13/26. Questions? Contact Kristy at kristyh@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962. WDSRA – Celebrating 50 Years of Inclusion, Impact, and Inspiration!

Saturday, March 6, 2027 – Details are tentative
The Abbington Distinctive Banquets
3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
(Corner of Route 53 & Butterfield Rd.)
6pm Registration & Cocktails
7-9pm Welcome, Dinner, & Program,
9-11pm Entertainment – Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos
$175 per person with Open Bar
Your reply is requested before February 16, 2026
Cocktail attire encouraged.
Colors for the evening are rose gold, black, and white.

Donations & Sponsorships Available
Donations Wanted
Interested in donating an item to the auction? Contact Kristy at 630-681-0962 or kristyh@wdsra.com.
Sponsorships Available
Interested in being a sponsor or donor? Contact Lea at 630-681-0962 or leaj@wdsra.com.

Why Your Support Matters
Support for WDSRA is actively shaping the present and future lives of our participants & their families. Hear how WDSRA programs are enriching lives and creating communities.

Donations are always welcome!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Event Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026

Event Location

The Abbington Distinctive Banquets
3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
(Corner of Route 53 & Butterfield Rd.)

Event Cost

$175 per person with Open Bar
Your reply is requested before February 16, 2026
Cocktail attire encouraged.
Colors for the evening are rose gold, black, and white.

Sponsorships Available
Interested in being a sponsor or donor? Contact Lea at 630-681-0962 or leaj@wdsra.com.
