In 2023, as part of our initiative to increase our impact, Law Rocks has begun offering a new award for each Law Rocks show: The Hustle & Heart Award. This award is given to the band that has the highest number of unique donors contributing to the “Donation” category (separate from sponsorships or ticket sales). Law Rocks makes an additional donation to the winning band's charity of choice.
Law Rock celebrates grassroot, community efforts, and The Hustle & Heart award is meant to encourage donations for each band’s nonprofit pick. We are thrilled to increase our support of small, local nonprofits who would otherwise not be receiving this funding.
Today’s spotlight is on BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO, the winner of the Hustle & Heart Award at the Return of Law Rocks Chicago. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Club was the chosen nonprofit of Hustle & Heart Award Winners Fauxly, featuring legal talent from Foley & Lardner.
When it came to what nonprofit to fundraise for, it was a no brainer for Fauxly; lead singer and guitarist Christopher Ward said that it was an “easy and obvious selection” as their firm, Foley & Lardner, have a national partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As for the fundraising itself, Christopher said:
The Foley community was wonderful in supporting us. Our Chicago office organized a whole social event around Law Rocks that ended with a very large office turnout at the event. Both within Chicago and across the firm nationally, dozens of our colleagues made donations to support Fauxly and BGC, again in support of our national partnership. And it didn’t hurt that we asked friends and family for support too!
In the end, Fauxly and the Foley community were able to raise over $8,000 in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs, including the $2,000 granted from winning the Hustle & Heart Award. We congratulate their hard work!
See below for our spotlight interview with Emily Steepleton, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago to learn more about the deserving organization.
1) Can you tell us a little about your organization and its mission?
Founded in 1902, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Serving thousands of youth ages 5 to 18 at 20+ Club sites, Boys& Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) works to provide members with the emotional, educational, physical, and cultural resources that allow them to enjoy their childhood and thrive in adulthood. At our Clubs, they find caring mentors, avenues of opportunity and the tools they need to prepare for great futures.
2) What is one success story you’re really proud of?
Just last month, BGCC celebrated another year of outstanding high school graduates, with more than 35 Club members participating in the organization's Signing Week. Signing Week is an opportunity for the BGCC community to congratulate the hardworking seniors at our Clubs. This year’s seniors will be attending colleges all over the country, such as Alabama State University, Bellevue University, Illinois State University, Morgan State University, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Louisville, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – and so many more!
They plan to study subjects like forensics psychology, geology, and musical engineering. They hope to become art teachers, nurses, and entrepreneurs. And some are headed to serve our country, like David, who will join the Navy. Some of our seniors have received full-ride academic scholarships and some plan to play sports while studying at their respective universities. But no matter how far they go, they will always be a Club member for life. “The thing I’ll miss about the Jordan Club is the people who come to the Club,” Club member Jermaine said. “Because it’s not the building itself, it’s the people that unite together.”
3) What programs and initiatives do you have scheduled for the upcoming year?
BGCC offers over 30 different programs that are proven effective in promoting positive change in the lives of Chicago’s youth. Our roster of programs continues to evolve and grow based on the current needs and interests of our youth. The content of these programs includes mentorship, academic tutoring, character and leadership, access to technology, workforce development, financial literacy, health and life skills, physical exercise, nutrition education, arts, and more.
For this upcoming year, we are opening our first newly-built Club in a generation on Chicago’s West Side- the Rusu-McCartin Boys & Girls Club. Based on extensive community input, this new Club will give young people on the West Side the types of activities and experiences they are seeking. It will serve thousands of kids with high-quality programming and be a reliable community resource for generations.
Learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago here.