Newsletter - Volume 1 Issue 2 - May 2006

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Welcome

We are pleased to present to you the second newsletter for the Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation. Since our first newsletter...

...foster children interested in dance will be able to start taking dance workshops this summer. Our "dance outreach program" will use Kathryn's funds to pay for their apparel, shoes and dance bag.

...the selection has begun for the STEPS Dance Center and Naperville North High School scholarship recipients. Thank you for your continued support in order to make this "dance outreach program" and these scholarships in Kathryn's name possible.

We would also like to thank all of you who donated to KBMF on Kathryn's birthday, April 15th.


1st Annual Kathryn Bender Memorial Dance Showcase

When: Wednesday, May 17th 2006 @ 7 pm

Where: College of DuPage Arts Center Main Stage

Ticket Info: Call College of DuPage Ticket Office
@ (630) 942-4000     $18/Adult $15/Student

There will also be flowers available for purchase (see our web-site for order forms) and DVD's of the showcase, which include a special tribute to Kathryn, available to order the night of the performance.

***All ticket sales and proceeds from the flowers go to KBMF.

Participants: Dance 2xs U of I, Hip Hop Connection, Inside Out Dance Company, Inspire School of Dance, Naperville Park District, Orchesis groups from NCHS, NNHS, NVHS and WVHS, School of Performing Arts and STEPS Dance Center


Schedule of fundraisers

· April 15th - Kathryn's 18th Birthday
· April 24th - Julie Andrews Edwards book signing @ NNHS 7pm
· May 17th - Kathryn Bender Memorial Dance Showcase @ COD 7pm
· May 20th - 5k Walk @ WJHS 8am


Washington Junior High 5K Fun Run/Walk

Washington Junior High will be having their 2nd annual 5K run/walk and will be donating a portion of their proceeds to KBMF.

Why: To support the Kathryn Bender Memorial Foundation

When: Saturday, May 20 2006 @ 8am

Where: Washington Junior High (West Field) 201 N. Washington St. Naperville, IL 60450

Cost: Pre-registration (before May 5) $20/person or $50/family Late registration (May 6 - morning of race) $25/person or $60/family

What: 5K (3.1 mile) course on streets (NO times) All runners and walkers welcome.

Register: Fill out registration form found on our website under current fundraisers/fundraisers. Checks payable to Washington Junior High-5K.

Forms can be dropped off at Washington School c/o Jay Konrad or mailed to: Washington Junior High School c/o Jay Konrad 201 N. Washington St. Naperville, IL 60540. You can also register the day of the race.

Packet Pick-Up: Race day pick up at Washington Junior High on May 20 from 7am - 7.45am

Thank you to Washington for deciding to support KBMF this year.


Our Website: www.kbmf.net

If you have not seen our website, please pay us a visit soon! While you are there, you can check out information on upcoming and past fundraisers and fund-raisers, view or submit guestbook entries or photos, and most importantly, you can sign up to be on our mailing list.

Even if you have received this newsletter, please still join our online mailing list so we can be sure to have the information we need to keep you informed of all that is happening with KBMF.

Thank you to all who have visited the site. Your guestbook entries and photos mean a lot to others who view them.


Julie Andrews Edwards Book Signing

Singer, actor and children's author Julie Andrews participated in a question and answer session with residents on April 24th at Naperville North High School. Her appearance, sponsored by Andersons Bookshop, celebrated her new children's book, "The Great American Mousical."

Tickets included admission and one pre-autographed copy of the book. A portion of the proceeds were donated to KBMF.

Thank you to Anderson's Bookshop for setting up this event. Kathryn would be so excited. She performed in the NNHS musical, The Sound of Music!

Anderson's also held a book signing in February with author Kate DiCamillo and a chair raffle at the Children's Literature Breakfast with proceeds going to KBMF.


Naperville North Funds

The use of funds for Naperville North High School have been decided. We will be presenting a Kathryn Bender Performance Award to one student each year.

This award will be given to a senior at NNHS who exemplifies the same characteristics as Kathryn.

Naperville North will have a wall in the school which will display Kathryn's picture as well as the pictures of the award recipients. Surrounding the pictures will be a mural portraying the arts that Kathryn loved and the leadership that she exhibited.


Reminder

Kathryn's Memorial Wristbands are still available. There is a minimum donation of $2 per band. You can pick up a band at STEPS Dance Center, Naperville North Student Activities Office, or at the showcase in May.


Thank You...

Anderson's Bookshop - for their continued support and fundraising fundraisers

Beebe Elementary School & Timm Etters - for including a representation of Kathryn in the new mural at Beebe

Bob and Helen Giss - for their donation to the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation in Kathryn's name

College of DuPage - for the use of their facility for our dance showcase in May

Friends of Music - for their donation to KBMF

Joe Garhan - for designing the mural that will be displayed at Naperville North

John and Donna Bootz Sr. - for the first mailing postage

John and Vonda Bootz Jr.& Family - for the purchase of the scholarship plaque for STEPS Dance Center

Minuteman Press - for printing our newsletter

Nick Melville - for keeping the website updated

STEPS Parents and Students - for their continued support and help in making the upcoming dance showcase successful

And everyone who has given donations and supported KBMF


For Donations

Make all checks payable to KBMF.
Send to:
STEPS Dance Center
481 N. Commons Dr. Unit E
Aurora, IL 60504
Attn: Cathy Rosenberg