How Kalo helps the community.
Below are the remarks from a speech given by Mr. Herbert Zuegel, a member of our board of directors, on the benefits that the Kalo Foundation has brought to the community.
REMARKS - HHZ 09/24/10 - ARTS & CARAFES EVENT
Betsy Foxwell asked me to explain why your support of Kalo at an event
like this is so valuable to everyone in Park Ridge. So kindly consider this
a quick ANNUAL REPORT of Kalo accomplishments since our ‘Arts &
Carafes’ gathering here at the Country Club in 2009.
To recap, the Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge was established in 2006. It is
dedicated to preserving our town’s rich artistic legacy through education,
advocacy, and preservation, as well as cooperatively promoting our
cultural heritage in pursuit of community revitalization. For Example:
• Kalo’s education of young people has included several thousand
public & non-public 4th through 12th grade school kids, teachers &
parents who have learned the importance of their town’s Art Colony
legacy. As Sam Guard, in the audience, said: “It shapes us even now.”
• Kalo educational seminars have also been attended by hundreds of
adults of all ages who -- too -- have become excited upon learning the
significance of our oft-overlooked local Arts Colony.
• Kalo education is unique, Betsy tells me, in using primary source
material. As just one example, students get hands-on access to original
100-year-old design archives, hand-made tools, and silver treasures.
• Kalo brings these programs to its audiences at countless sites ranging
from classrooms in elementary, middle, & high schools to Park District,
Library & Church buildings, plus The Pantry Non-Profit Center.
• Kalo was requested this Summer to schedule Burt Olsson & me for
programs into 2011. Another e-mail was received this morning.
• As an illustration of Kalo’s community cooperation, last week it
materially assisted Milton Nelson of the Historical Society & City Clerk
Betty Henneman, Chair of our Sister Cities Commission, in educating a
group of visitors from Kinver, England about our town.
• Kalo programs are scheduled whenever it is most convenient for any
given audience, including weekends, lunch-time, evenings or specific
class periods in schools.
• Kalo’s outreach has been widely acclaimed by the public, the press,
school administrators and teachers plus it has been endorsed by State
Sen. Dan Kotowski and acknowledged by our City & its “Spokesman”
publication. Kalo is most pleased to have Mayor Dave Schmidt as a
member; he has contributed his gardening services at the Auction table!
• Kalo actively participated in advocating, researching, and writing the
first Historic Preservation ordinance ever adopted in Park Ridge. Two
members, Judy Barclay as Chair & Annie Eriksson (incredible Sears’
mail-order
home researcher), have been appointed to serve on the Preservation
Commission by the Mayor & City Council.
• Kalo -- with your participation & as incompletely shown on the DVD
that has been playing here -- has been in the forefront of highlighting the
2010 Centennial of Park Ridge as a City. Betsy’s vision created the most
comprehensive-ever two-week exhibition of present & past local art. Plus
she booked dozens of great speakers for programs. Further, many thanks
to John & Leigh Sasser for use of ‘The Pantry Non-Profit Center.’
• Kalo has no paid staff. Its Board and Members receive no benefits.
• Kalo program participants are never individually asked to contribute
to fund-raising, but gifts of happy money are most welcome at any time
from any one. Remember: “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver!”
• Kalo is financially supported mainly by tonight’s event, charitable
grants, contributions plus incidental income from CD & book sales, etc.
• Kalo must boot-strap itself in the coming 12 months to offset the
understandable loss of City support, which had been $5,000 annually. As
one boot-strapping measure, Kalo re-filed for Sales Tax Exemption with
the State of Illinois. We are thrilled to report approval was received
today!
• Kalo plans new initiatives in the immediate future, but details on
those must wait until next year’s Annual Report of accomplishments.
There is far more to say & many more people who ought to be recognized,
but tonight’s schedule & Dennis dictate I stop. Be assured, your
attendance is greatly appreciated by Kalo. Keep supporting it. You’d also
find it a joy to give Kalo some of your time!