ROCHELLE — On Tuesday, April 15, From the Heart presented checks for $10,000 each to nine area nonprofits at a special event at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle.

From the Heart raises money for nine area nonprofits: the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, HOPE of Ogle County, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Pegasus Special Riders, Hub City Senior Center, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA, Community Action Network (CAN) and Foundation for Focus House. It most recently held its 17th annual gala on Feb. 1 and saw record attendance and tied a fundraising record of $90,000, which resulted in the checks.

The check presentation ceremony will be the last for From the Heart, as it announced Feb. 24 it will be ceasing operations after 18 years of fundraising in the Rochelle area for local organizations. From the Heart galas raised $900,000 total and its cash calendar program raised $216,000 for a total of $1.116 million in giving.

"Handing out checks makes this whole thing worth it," From the Heart President and Founder Dave Eckhardt said. "There's no other experience like giving $10,000 to a group. That's a huge deal. Raising $900,000 over 18 years is a pretty cool thing, especially for a community of our size. That's a really big deal and something we can all be proud of."

Rochelle Christian Food Pantry was the first nonprofit to receive its check. The food pantry has broken records recently with the number of people in need it has been serving. Kathy Olson and Cal Jacobs of the RCFP said the From the Heart funding has been crucial for the food pantry over the years and thanked the organization for its support.

"There's people out there that we wouldn't be able to feed if we didn't get the support we do from the community," Jacobs said. "We're very thankful and the city is very thankful for what From the Heart provided. It's a very generous city and we're very blessed to be able to do what we do."

The next check was presented to HOPE of Ogle County and accepted by its executive director, Rebecca Laudati, and Board President Christy Schweitzer. As the area's domestic violence support agency, HOPE provides free and confidential services including counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and a 24/7 hotline.

"The biggest thing we advocate for is making sure people know about us," Schweitzer said. "Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by domestic violence. These services are absolutely life changing and necessary for our community."

CAN's check was accepted by Michelle Pease and Pat Burch. Pease said $10,000 makes up a third of CAN's operating budget. The nonprofit takes area kids in need on a Christmas shopping trip each year and recently increased its gift card for kids to $100.

"Kids get necessities like clothing, and one toy," Pease said. "We also do backpack program with backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies and hand them out before school starts so kids have tools to be successful. We also do a shoe program and hand out gym shoes at the Christmas shopping trip, along with a coat drive. We focus on children and families and helping them meet basic needs to be successful."

Shining Star CAC works with families and children in Ogle and Lee counties who have been victims of child abuse. The work is done alongside law enforcement, prosecutors, DCFS and medical providers when there's been allegations of severe physical or sexual abuse or kids that have experienced violent crimes, domestic violence or child deaths in the home.

Children come to Shining Star's location to be interviewed rather than going to a police station or hospital that can be less child-friendly or more intimidating. The organization also offers counseling, trauma therapy, group services and court advocacy.

"Since July 1, we've seen 178 new kids at our center from Lee and Ogle counties," Shining Star Executive Director Jessica Cash said. "It's definitely an issue that's out there and we're here each day to help these kids heal and work through that process."

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation provides support to area nonprofits through a competitive grant process yearly. It also works with donors from every walk of life from small donations to big donations and everything in between. RACF has been part of From the Heart since its inception.

RACF Executive Director Emily Anaya thanked From the Heart for its support over the years.

"Without the support that we've received from From the Heart, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," Anaya said. "It helps us to have unrestricted funds to help us keep our doors open and work with donors that want to leave a legacy, just like From the Heart has."

CASA is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system in Lee, Carroll and Ogle Counties. 

Foundation for Focus House's check was accepted by Board Members Lance Charnock and Tim Bowerman. Focus House is a residential and outpatient facility for youth that are going through the court system. It also has an alternative-to-suspension program where students that have been suspended from middle school and high school go to the facility and meet with counselors and do schoolwork.

"Over the years, the funds have helped tremendously to fill huge voids that the county doesn't fund," Charnock said. "Anything from school supplies to clothing to gas cards for parents to come see the kids. It really does a lot for the foundation and the kids at Focus House."

Pegasus Special Riders' check was accepted by Board Members Sharlene Meadows and John Hintzsche. Pegasus Special Riders provides therapeutic horseback riding experiences for those who are physically and mentally challenged. Riding helps with cognitive balance and volunteers and instructors assist in the lessons.

"We were added to From the Heart three years ago right after our arena was destroyed in a windstorm and we wondered if we'd be able to keep going," Meadows said. "It was perfect timing. It's been a huge blessing for us and we're back to riding. I'm so grateful for all of From the Heart's support."

The final check was presented to the Hub City Senior Center and accepted by its executive director, Diana King. The Hub City Senior Center provides programming, resources and transportation for older adults in the community free of charge.

"On average, we serve about 40-45 people per day," King said. "We partner with a lot of other agencies to provide lunch, help with government programs, and transportation. Last year we provided over 8,500 rides to seniors and individuals with disabilities in Rochelle. We're so incredibly thankful for this check. This helps us to provide all of our programs at no cost."

From the Heart's board is made up of Eckhardt, Chuck Watkins, Sarah Flanagan, and Tonja Greenfield, along with the directors of the nine nonprofits.

"It's been a great run," Eckhardt said. "Rochelle is a great place to live. This community steps up all the time. Whenever there's a special cause, people in Rochelle step up. None of what we've done would have been possible without the people of the community. When we started this, we barely made it to $30,000 in the first year. And then we kept going and added more groups along the way. The run has been incredible."