For 25 years, Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) has relied upon a 15-passenger van for several facets of our operations. It has carried many students to participate in various events. It has been the workhorse for hauling equipment for restoration activities and has been essential for our canoe trips.

Last year, the second-generation van became undrivable. “We need a new van” became our Giving Tuesday ask. A video describing our need was very effective in soliciting Friend support. Watch it here if you need a sad but true laugh.

Our Partner, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling recommended us for an Illinois Beverage Association (IBA) grant. That $23,000 grant award was packaged with our Giving Tuesday earnings to allow us to afford a 2018 Ford 15-passenger Transit just in time for the spring season of cleanups, field work with students, and canoe trips.

For one 3-day period in May, it performed all three tasks.
Thank you to our donors for fulfilling this need.

As we were celebrating our reliable vehicle, a generous Friend provided an unsolicited additional gift. David & Alexia Monaco offered to fund a vinyl wrap for the van to utilize it as an advertisement of our work. A FOTFR team assembled and worked with the donor and production team through 3 different design versions. When the production was done, the donors said, 

“It has been our pleasure to support Friends of the Fox River by sponsoring the advertising campaign for their new utility van! We hope to shed light on FOTFR, to connect more people to their priceless mission to educate, research, restore and advocate on behalf of our precious natural resources. With recent studies proving the powerful positive impact of grassroots ecological efforts, it is a privilege to grasp hands with these Fox River heroes.” David & Alexia Monaco

We are very grateful for this addition. I can attest that in the short time that we have had this new look, we are turning heads. It has transformed just another white work vehicle into a proud traveling statement. We have already received several comments from our organizational colleagues. This is a wonderful example of how the pieces come together when you have momentum. Thank you to our 2024 Giving Tuesday donors, the Reyes/IBA grant, and the Monacos.

Our Giving Tuesday ask for this year is to help generate the resources to expand our youth programming throughout the watershed. Please watch for our rollout coming next week.