One man, one plane and a passion for helping kids and families
One man. One plane. Flying 500 miles to raise funds and collect 1,350 wishes from kids, in honor of Children’s Home & Aid’s 135 years of caring for kids and families
Paul Wood has had many rewarding roles in his life: co-founder and retired Managing Partner at Chicago’s Madison Dearborn Partners, father and a private pilot. One of his most satisfying roles has been serving as a trustee on Children’s Home & Aid’s Board of Directors for nearly 30 years.
On June 4, Paul and Children’s Home & Aid CEO Nancy Ronquillo will take off in a two-seater classic plane on a four-stop tour of Children’s Home & Aid’s programs across Illinois. Their goal: gather the wishes and dreams of 1,350 of the children served by Children’s Home & Aid’s 70 programs across the state, and raise funds in support of Children’s Home & Aid.
“I fell in love with airplanes and flying when I a child,” Paul says. “My grandfather was an engineer who designed, built and repaired aircraft, and I was completely fascinated. I am so pleased to have found a way to combine my passion for flight with my passion for helping kids and families in Illinois.”
Paul is personally underwriting all costs associated with the campaign and reaching out to friends and corporate leaders to invite them to join him in the Hope with Wings tour.
“I am looking forward to meeting some of the 40,000 kids and families served every year by Children’s Home & Aid, as well as some of the 800 staff who work so hard to care for them,” Paul says. “With my family’s love and support, I was able to achieve many of the dreams I had as a child. I am honored to be able to give back to help these kids and families achieve their dreams.”
“2018 marks Children’s Home & Aid’s 135th year of caring for Illinois’ most vulnerable children,” said Nancy Ronquillo, CEO. “The Hope with Wings project is part of a year-long celebration of this legacy. As Paul and I visit each of our program sites, we will be gathering mementos from staff, community members, some of the children we serve, documenting their wishes and dreams for the future.”
RSVP and join us at our stops in Chicago, Rockford, Cahokia and Bloomington!
To impact the lives the children and families in Illinois, donate to the Tour.