Senior Citizens Council Earns Most Votes for Best Christmas Tree at Cantigny

The Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park Monday announced that the Christmas tree decorated by the DuPage Senior Citizens Council and displayed at the museum throughout the holiday season received the most votes in public balloting. By winning the popular vote, the organization earned an additional $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for a total of $5,000.  The six other participating local charities will each receive $2,500. 

The trees were a holiday attraction to celebrate Cantigny’s connections with the community and honor Colonel McCormick’s philanthropic legacy. Seven local charities were invited to participate because their missions involve issues or causes that were meaningful to Robert McCormick. 

Museum visitors were asked to vote for their favorite tree and, if they chose to, make a donation to one or more of the agencies.  Cash contributions by visitors totaled $633.

“This was our second year for the event and it was even more popular than the first,” said Diane Gutenkauf, director of the McCormick Museum.  “The trees were beautiful and creative, and our visitors responded generously.  It’s an honor to support these organizations that do such important work throughout DuPage County.”

Participating organizations were:

• DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville – offering hands-on exhibits and programs for children up to 10 years old, stimulating their curiosity, creativity and problem solving.
• DuPage Community Foundation, Wheaton – supports the people of DuPage County by making grants to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services.
• DuPage Senior Citizens Council, Lombard – eases the challenges of daily life for seniors by assisting them in their homes and communities.  
• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana – develops courage, confidence and character in young girls, who make the world a better place.
• Giving DuPage, Wheaton – promotes giving and volunteering in DuPage County by helping people connect with nonprofit agencies that need their time and talents.
• Literacy DuPage, Naperville – provides accessible and customized tutoring in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English to help adults achieve independence.
• People’s Resource Center, Wheaton – brings neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County, providing food and other basic needs. 

The McCormick Museum is closed in January and will reopen in February for free guided tours.  Hours in February are 10 am to 4 pm, Friday through Sunday. The museum returns to its usual Tuesday through Sunday tour schedule in March.

Courtesy of a press release from Cantigny