Greetings!


Much like Memorial Day has come to represent the unofficial start of summer, Halloween is now the de-facto start of the holiday season. But that's not why Halloween Hoopla is one of my favorite Bounce Bash family adventures.

And not because it’s so fun or because Jones Day, a most generous supporter, contributes time, talent, treasure to make it fabulous. Actually it's all three - and more. The more? Halloween Hoopla typifies what a Bounce Bash is all about: a chance to get out of the house, to come together, to fully participate in what “normal” people are doing. 

It's a chance to forget about being sick and to fit in – not just for an afternoon but for the 31 days in October during which we repeatedly ask kids one question: “So what are you going to be for Halloween?” 

Thanks to you the answer is not, “Nothing cause I’m too sick to go out” or “Nothing because my ‘stupid’ brother/sister is too sick to go out and my mom/dad won’t let me go without them.” 

Thanks to you, Kiddos & Siblings burst with excitement and pride describing their costumes, and brag about going downtown to a fancy building for an amazing party. Thanks to you, Parents exhale knowing their children are, for once, part of the celebration. Thanks to you, indeed!
Joan M. Steltmann, CEO
Bounce Bash® Halloween Hoopla
a Spooktacular Success!
This special Halloween party, designed to include children battling chronic illness, featured trick-or-treat, snacks, crafts, games, spectacular views at 110 N. Wacker, and the mummy wrap!

A huge thank you to Jones Day for hosting, supporting and sponsoring the event.
And kudos to the 30+ volunteers who made the day possible.

Bounce Families tell us their joy will last a full year until we do it again next Halloween!
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Bounce Earns Highest Level Accreditation From
Multiple Trusted Sources!
Creating trust is critical to earning your support. Bounce is proud to share that we continue to receive the highest level accreditation from four of the most trusted evaluators:

* Chicagoland Better Business Bureau: Wise Giving Alliance
* Candid (formerly GuideStar): Platinum Level
* Charity Navigator: 4 Stars/99% out of 100%
* GreatNonprofits: Top NonProfit
Chicago Reach Sponsors Fundraiser
to Benefit Bounce Families

Thanks to all who participated in the Chicago Reach and Barry's Bootcamp Fundraiser and after-party at Standard Bar & Grill which raised $1,600.
Our gratitude to all who came out to support Bounce!
Chicago's One and Only:
"The Food Guy",
Steve Dolinsky,
to Emcee Best Bites

Join us for a delicious evening on 2/3/2023
at McDonald's Global Headquarters.
STEVE DOLINSKY

* 13 James Beard Awards for TV, radio & podcast work
* Food Guy for NBC5, Thursdays at 10:00 pm
* 17 years as Hungry Hound on ABC7
* Co-Creator/Co-Host The Feed with Chef Rick Bayless
* 1 of 26 Academy Chairs for World’s 50 Best Restaurants
* Advisor to food focused real estate developers
* Featured Expert: Chicago Tribune; NPR's The World; Food &
Wine Magazine; Classic in Aspen; NYC Wine & Food Fest
* Volunteer for Share Our Strength & Meals on Wheels
"Let's Talk Turkey"
Bounce Back Kits®
Set to Ship!
Thanksgiving Bounce Back Kits ship on Thursday to all Bounce Families. They are "stuffed" with distracting, creative activities and projects to make Thanksgiving more fun and inclusive for kids too sick to "go to Gramma's", their siblings and their parents.
Meet Our New Bounce Team Members
Jameson Rush, Lexie Foley and Sabrina Caudle
Jameson Rush - Program Management
Jameson graduated Cum Laude from Loyola University Chicago where she studied Psychology. She has worked alongside Child Life Specialists at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital and interned with both Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association.


Lexie Foley - Annual Giving & Development
Lexie graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors from Webster University. While living in St. Louis, she created and ran a theatre program for students with disabilities at Stages Performing Arts Academy. Lexie is now pursuing a Master’s in Nonprofit Management at DePaul University.



Sabrina Caudle - Membership & Operations
Sabrina graduated from College of Lake County with an Associates in Business. During her time there she worked with Veterans Path to Hope and has previously served at YouthWorks. Sabrina is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in NonProfit Management.