Local Non-Profits and Residents-in-Need Line Up for Free Fundraising Opportunity at Beelow's NorthShore

Most charitable organizations are challenged with balancing time, efforts and budgets to raise funds and awareness to keep their programs running. So when a civic-minded business steps up and offers a fun, hassle-free option that is free and requires minimal effort, it generates a lot of attention.

Believing that serving others goes beyond simply serving great food, Dan Beelow, owner of Beelow’s NorthShore Steaks & Seafood in downtown Highland Park, hosts their monthly 1st Tuesday Fundraisers which provides qualifying local nonprofits, individuals, or families, the opportunity to build financial support for their good cause.

On the first Tuesday of each month, from 5:00pm - 6:30pm, Beelow’s welcomes a featured fundraising group to get together at Beelow’s NorthShore located at 1850 2nd Street in Highland Park’s Renaissance Place to enjoy complimentary specially-selected appetizers in their lounge area. During the event, a group member can be designated as the “guest bartender” to serve alongside Beelow’s staff with all tips going to their cause. A representative from the group has the opportunity to take the microphone to welcome their supporters and spread the word about their cause. Attendees who stay for dinner receive a free dessert and twenty-five percent of their bill (excluding tax and gratuity) will go directly to the fundraising effort. Food vouchers and a raffle for prizes are offered as well.

“We make it super easy for organizations to benefit from our 1st Tuesday Fundraisers,” Beelow explained, ‘All they need to do is send out the invitation which we provide and customize for them, collect the RSVPs and just show up to mingle with potential and current supporters. They get to be guests at their own event and enjoy great appetizers and drinks in a place that offers a warm and welcoming ambiance. They don’t have to plan, organize or clean up after the event. That’s all on us.”

Every 1st Tuesday Fundraiser event to-date has been a great success, bringing together enthusiastic supporters, with movers & shakers from throughout the greater Highland Park community to honor and raise support for vital causes. Among the groups that have benefited include Highland Park- based Room2Improv, East on Central, The Art Center-Highland Park, and The Highland Park Public Library.

“We cannot thank Beelow’s enough for hosting such a fabulous event for us. Approximately $2,700 was brought in on our night,” said Gabrielle Rousso, executive director of The Art Center-Highland Park, which awards over 280 art class scholarships per year to children, teens, adults and senior citizens in need who could never otherwise afford to take art classes. “All the dollars that were raised will help TAC ensure that we can continue our Outreach and Art Scholarship program offerings.”

Future 1st Tuesday Fundraisers are booking fast. Among those on the 2016 schedule include North Shore groups such as Goldie’s Place, Highland Park Downtown Alliance, PAWS Chicago-Northshore, Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, and Chavorot Haddash in Mundelein. Nonprofits and individuals hoping to be considered for a 1st Tuesday Fundraiser are invited to email a description of their cause with supporting information and a link to their website (if available) to Audrey Suffrin at asuffrinpr@aol.com. For more information about Beelow’s NorthShore, call 847-780-3300 or visit http://www.beelowsnorthshore.com.

About Beelow’s NorthShore Steaks • Seafood
Growing up on his family’s third-generation livestock and grain crops farm in Mundelein, Dan Beelow learned at a young age that everything in life is better when it centers on friends, family and neighbors. So it’s not surprising that his business model for Beelow’s NorthShore, which opened in downtown Highland Park last February, includes a deliciously fun and incredibly easy way for qualifying nonprofits to boost their awareness and their bottom line.

Beelow’s NorthShore is open for dinner 7 days a week, offering indoor and outdoor dining (in season), carry-out service beginning in mid-May (just in time for Ravinia season), and a late-night (small plate) menu in the bar, as well as a private dining room that comfortably seats up to 30 people for groups or parties.

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