Invest in a future of independence
P.A.C.E. CREATIVE SLAM SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
By making a donation to P.A.C.E. at NLU you are not only investing in current P.A.C.E. students, but future generations of students to follow. Every dollar goes towards advancing technology and P.A.C.E. student scholarships.
Our work is essential for young adults with multiple intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities to thrive and contribute to their communities and donations are how our work is made possible. For many families, cost is one of the biggest barriers to entering a comprehensive transition program. Even with all available resources from federal financial aid, the financial gap is formidable.
Your donation ensures that more students and families have access to a life changing gift of independence.
Our deepest gratitude is extended to The Caccomo Family Foundation and their continued commitment to the P.A.C.E. Community.
Biographical Sketch of Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo
Dr. Caccomo was a physician, born in Rome, Italy on July 1, 1923. He graduated from medical school in Rome and immigrated to the United States in the early 1950's. His primary interest was orthopedic surgery, but he was accepted into an anesthesiology residency program in lllinois, and upon completion went into private practice at Illinois Masonic, Westlake, Gottlieb, Walther Memorial and Cook County Hospitals.
Dr. Caccomo loved his adopted country and was drawn to service in the United States Army Reserves, serving in the Special Forces, and retired as Colonel. Following his retirement from the medical profession as an anesthetist, he renewed his interest in orthopedic surgery, his first love, and for the last fifteen years of his life, he was associated with the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Dr. Caccomo was also a pilot, owned his own plane and loved to skydive. He loved animals and was supportive of agencies caring for animals, as well as the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. In 2001, he established a Family Foundation to benefit the charities, organizations and institutions that he came to enjoy and support during his lifetime. Dr. Caccomo died in January 2004.
We were very grateful for your generous donation of (item names) to the silent auction at our Creative Slam fundraiser last year. We are reaching out to ask if you would consider donating again this year. Your organization’s generosity will be recognized in our event program and on the sign that accompanies your gift on the silent auction bidding table. The Creative Slam is our biggest annual fundraiser. Proceeds primarily provide scholarships to students
Our annual Creative Slam event to benefit the students at P.A.C.E. at National Louis University will be held on March 2, 2024 at 2pm at National Louis University in Chicago.
The Creative Slam will feature performances by the P.A.C.E. students in sketches about their lives, including school, internships, dating, cooking, and more. They will apply many skills they have been working on all year, such as professional and personal social skills, executive function, and problem solving. Individual students will also demonstrate their talents, such as singing, dancing, or playing the guitar. Light refreshments will be served. In addition, there will be a silent auction and raffle of popular goods and services donated by generous area businesses, friends and family members.
The proceeds from the Creative Slam provide funding to award scholarship dollars to deserving students and their families. The State of Illinois, where over 90% of P.A.C.E. families live, does not offer any financial assistance to our students and families. Many deserving students rely upon scholarship support in order to attend.
We invite you to join us for the 2024 Creative Slam, but in the event that you are not able, please consider donating to our event because together we can make a difference. You may make a donation online at https://join.nl.edu/PACESlam. Click "Donate Now."
Please contact Angelica at acastaneda8@nl.edu with any questions.
We are grateful for the on-going generosity of our community in the empowerment of young adults with disabilities in living their best lives!
What: Creative Slam Event
When: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 2:00pm
Where: National Louis University, 122 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd Fl. Atrium
Cost and Ticket Info: https://join.nl.edu/PACESlam
