Social Responsibility

What do you call people willing to race in the rain and cold when it’d be just as easy to enjoy some of the great brunch options available in the city of Chicago, which always has a warm skillet ready for the wary? Either crazy, inspired or maybe committed to a cause greater than their comfort on one Saturday morning? The Susan G. Komen Mother’s Day Race for the Cure was a success yet again. Despite Mother Nature’s unwillingness to make it easy. While not as cold as the Shamrock Shuffle that NextGen and Swoon also sent an eager contingent of runners and fans, Mother’s Day race was pretty cold and wet. It turns out the Shamrock was the perfect prep race for Swooners and NextGenners ready to run.

“It was amazing to see how many people turned out in support of such a great cause,” said Swooner Colin Harris
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the world’s largest and most successful fundraiser and educational opportunity for Breast Cancer Awareness. It began in 1983 with one race in Dallas with 800 people and has grown into a global event with over a million participants.

Thanks to everyone who made the race great. It may have been bone cold, but in the words of Matt Metropulos “It was heartwarming to be involved with that race.”

About Swoon

We are technology and professional recruiters with an unorthodox method and a proven track record of temporary and direct hire placements. Through an approachable method to recruiting we get to know our clients and candidates then connect the best and the brightest with Fortune 1000 companies nationwide. Are you ready to be Swoon’d?

The cold didn’t douse the dedication of the runners or those ready to lend moral support. Swooners and NextGeners got up early on the bone-cold Saturday morning to drive home support for a cause. “Knowing I was running to raise money for Open Heart Magic made it easier to push through,” said Tara Interrante who was cheered on by many of her colleagues as she braved Chicago’s “early spring” weather. Jack Sawyer was equally impressed by the support: “They still got up early on the weekend to come and cheer us on. Awesome.”

The win-win feeling overcame the numbing cold as Swoon and NextGen doubled down on their commitment to help the charitable organizations that strengthen the communities they serve. The success of the event had some fondly looking ahead: “I look forward to running in the next race, the Susan G. Komen Chicagoland Race for the Cure.” said Colin Harris. Let’s hope they won’t need a parka for that one, but they’ve already proven to not be just fair-weather fans.

Thanks to the Current Charity Committee Members!

Michelle Baker Blake Stone
Lori Kalbfleisch Stephanie Kinsey
Tamara Najjar Matt Metropolis
Diana Martinez

We’re excited to plan more events that support our primary charities. Members of the committee will rotate, as many from Swoon and NextGen want to be a part of it. Stay tuned for a monthly newsletter!

Upcoming Events:

· 4/17/15 Open Heart Magic’s “Tricks are for Kids Benefit”: 2 tables for 12 lucky Swooners/Nextgengers to attend. Also volunteer opportunity
· 5/2/15 Mercy Home Gala: 1 table for 6 lucky Swooners/Nextgeners to attend. Also volunteer opportunity
· 5/29/15 HFS Chicago Scholars “Casino Night”: Volunteer opportunity to help as Casino Dealers for the event!
· June TBA Meals from the Heart (Ronald McDonald House): 20 volunteers from Swoon & NextGen will cook dinner for the families staying at the Chicago house.
· Summer TBA: St. Judes Fashion Show

At Swoon, we are always thinking of ways we can give back to our community. Last month, the Professional Services Team headed down to the Ronald McDonald House Charity to make dinner for 86 families through their Meals From The Heart program.

Ronald McDonald House Charities cares for families of children with complex medical needs by providing comfort, compassion and a sense of community. They help hospitalized children heal faster by keeping families together in a ‘home away from home’, occasionally for months at a time. Meals From the Heart provides the families with a home cooked dinner planned and prepared completely by volunteers. We wanted to bring a smile to the kids faces so, we served breakfast for dinner.

We donated the cost for all of the ingredients to serve dozens of families with a hot meal consisting of pancakes, hash browns, eggs, fruit and toppings…including chocolate chips and whip cream. Working as a team of busy little chefs we transformed the Ronald McDonald House kitchen into an assembly line of egg breakers, pancake flippers, whip cream whippers and breakfast servers.

Everyone had a great time that evening. We received plenty of thank yous and surprised exclamations as one child said, “Mommy, look chocolate chip pancakes!” All of the kids were adorable, including one little girl who twice made her famous Whip Cream Chocolate Fountain, a mug overflowing with whip cream and chocolate chips. Overall, we were happy to bring some relief and joy to these families ordeals.

The next day at work we reflected on the experience together. We learned more about each other and felt closer to one another, reaffirming our comradery. We discovered leaders and problem solvers amongst us. Everyone agreed that this was an eye opening experience demonstrating a strong support system within the team. 2015 will be a busy year in the kitchen for the chefs at Swoon, but we are ready to serve up some of our best meals yet.