A Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) philanthropic grant was awarded to the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) Lekotek Therapeutic Toy Lending Library. The Lekotek Toy Lending program provides play materials that will enhance and encourage positive play experiences for children with disabilities and their siblings. The grant will help fund the addition of new highly specialized, adapted toys for the Lekotek Toy Lending Library which will assist in serving the many young children and their families in Berwyn.
BDC Board President Andy Sotiropoulos said, “We are pleased to be part of this amazing program that creates positive as well as educational experiences through play. It’s important to have affordable and accessible programs like this available to all with special needs and their families.”
Julie Harmon Bell, WSSRA Fund Development Specialist and Lekotek Leader said, “WSSRA is proud to have operated a Lekotek library since the early 1980’s. We serve special education classrooms in Berwyn and our other partner communities with a monthly delivery of toys to teachers who consistently report what a valued resource the WSSRA Lekotek program is. We also serve individual families who have children with special needs through monthly, hour-long play sessions with trained Lekotek leaders. We are so excited to add much needed toys to our collection thanks to this grant from the Berwyn Development Corporation.”
For more information, please email info@berwyn.net or call (708) 788-8100.
About the BDC Philanthropic Program
The Philanthropic Commission reviews applications into the philanthropic grant program and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the BDC’s charitable giving efforts that align meaningfully with the BDC’s mission to benefit the City of Berwyn.
Organizations that are headquartered in Berwyn or substantially support the Berwyn population can send a letter of intent for the upcoming fiscal year and awards will be based upon available BDC funding. For more details regarding the philanthropic program, call the BDC at 708-788-8100 or visit Berwyn.net.
Special thanks to our BDC Trustees that help make these grants possible: Byline Bank, MacNeal Hospital, Morton College, Paisans Pizzeria & Bar, Republic Bank of Chicago, Turano Baking Company and World’s Largest Laundromat.
About the Berwyn Development Corporation
The Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) markets Berwyn regionally and nationally as a prime business and leisure destination. We are here to promote Berwyn’s energy and culture to visitors and residents and to create unique development opportunities for business. The BDCis a public-private partnership with the City of Berwyn that provides economic development and Chamber of Commerce services to all segments of the Berwyn community. We are a not-for-profit membership organization that serves over 300 businesses and individuals. The BDC continually strives to develop new programs, services and events that promote the community. For more information, visit whyberwyn.com or follow the BDC at facebook.com/WhyBerwyn, twitter.com/WhyBerwyn and instagram.com/WhyBerwyn.
