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Community Corner

Dakota Inn's Hawaiian Luau Benefits Kids Fighting Cancer

The Dakota Inn Bar and Grill in Alsip held its annual fundraiser on September 21 to benefit children and teens fighting cancer. The bar sponsored a “Hawaiian Luau” Benefit which featured free food, Mai Tai drink specials and a variety of split-the-pot and other raffles, with all proceeds benefiting the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). The non-profit organization provides comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 45 hospitals nationwide.

 

The Dakota Inn was established in 1994 by proprietors Jim Bradford and Angele Joachim. The friendly, neighborhood bar often hosts benefits to help raise money for local charities. This year’s popular event saw attendees enjoying beautiful weather while listening to some great music from the Voodoo Jones Band, all for a great cause. When the evening concluded the Hawaiian Luau had raised more than $1,800 to benefit childhood cancer patients, much to the delight of co-owner Angele who offered this simple reason for supporting the Treasure Chest Foundation: “Because every child deserves a smile. Children are our future.”

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Jane Perchez, Administrative Assistant for the Treasure Chest Foundation and Luau Committee Chairperson said, “For the third consecutive year I am so proud of the Dakota Inn family and friends. I am continually amazed by what they have achieved in order to help children fighting cancer.”

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The Treasure Chest Foundation currently serves more than 8,700 children and teens each month who are battling cancer at 45 treatment centers in 16 states across the nation. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. CEO Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Colleen discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 20th anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

 

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s web site at www.treasurechest.org

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