YARN Foundation Fundraiser Brings In $14,000
The community rallied to support the new non-profit started by John and Deborah Anthony at a fundraiser in Oswego on Saturday. The Anthonys hope to open their doors in June in Boulder Hill.
Photos
John Anthony can sometimes get a little emotional.
So of course, he found himself overwhelmed on Saturday night, when more than 300 people turned up to the Family YMCA in Oswego, solely to help him achieve a dream. Anthony and his wife, Deborah, call that dream the YARN Foundation, a not-for-profit they hope to open in June.
Saturday’s event was YARN’s first major fundraiser, which the Anthonys dubbed “Jump Start.” They drew supporters from all over Kendall County, and when the dust had settled, they collected about $14,000 to make the YARN Foundation a reality.
“This is something I’ve dreamed about for 15 years,” John Anthony said. “I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
YARN stands for Young and Restoring Nations, and the Anthonys, who live in Plainfield, hope to use the foundation to help Kendall County’s young people succeed. Once the foundation’s community center opens in Boulder Hill, they will offer GED courses for those looking to complete their education, pregnancy counseling, and other services for young people, free of charge.
The foundation has secured a building, at 71 Boulder Hill Pass—the owner, Henry Funk, has donated the first year’s rent for free. Butterball has donated $10,000 in furniture, and ServPro of Kendall County will provide $5,000 of construction services for free as well.
The YARN Foundation needs $113,000 to get off the ground, and with the $15,000 in in-kind donations and the $14,000 raised on Saturday, they’re off to a good start, Deborah Anthony said. She said they are grateful, and “know with the community’s help we can continue to meet our goal.”
Saturday’s event included a silent auction, in which attendees bid on dozens of packages donated by local businesses. (For a complete list of sponsors, click here.) Desserts were provided by Cupcakes 2 Remember, and beverages by the Village Grind. Centerpieces on the table included balls of yarn.
The Anthonys hope to use the YARN Foundation to be a positive influence on as many lives as possible. And if you doubt their sincerity, you only needed to listen to John Anthony’s speech on Saturday night.
Anthony, a Kendall County police officer, told his own story—born to a drug addict mother, never knowing his father, raised by the streets, and finally becoming a homeless alcoholic, sleeping in abandoned cars. Surviving two accidents that should have killed him. Living every day with pain and heartbreak.
“I started YARN with my wife and all these volunteers because every young person doesn’t have to feel that pain,” Anthony said, his voice breaking. “I’m here because someone said, ‘You matter. Your life matters, even with all the mistakes you’ve made.’”
“We need you to stand with us, and effect change for an entire generation of young people who are giving up because no one is telling them they matter,” he said.
The YARN Foundation is still seeking financial contributions, volunteers and donations of building supplies for their new headquarters. For more information, check out their website.
In This article
-
Oswego Family YMCA
160 E Washington St, Oswego, IL -
Cupcakes 2 Remember and a Whole Lot More
1236 Douglas Rd, Oswego, IL -
The Village Grind Coffee & Tea Co.
19 Main St, Oswego, IL
John D Anthony
9:53 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This event was truly humbling to me. I have never been afraid to tell my story to a listening ear. I would not change anything about my life and what I have been through. My mother Bernice Welch is a true hero. She has conquered so many things in her life and now she is an ordained pastor. We all have a story...
Mikayla
5:38 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Praise God, this is an awesome endeavor. I plan to support your efforts!
Amy Cesich
9:57 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
So fantastic! Well done John, your story is amazing and inspiring. Our community is truly blessed to have you and your wife advocating for our youth. Thank you!
Deborah Anthony
10:07 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thank You Amy Cesich...
Wendy Martorano
6:09 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
This was such a great event. I loved that so many people came out to support this brand new organization. John and Deborah really did a great job with their first fundraiser. Looking forward to all the great things YARN will do for the youth in our community, it is long overdue and so needed. Thanks John and Deborah for inspiring us all to do great things!
Nancy Kumiega-Malas
6:21 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I am so PROUD of you and Deborah. Both of you are going to be a HUGE Inspiration to all these kids. I can't wait til it opens and I hope you will let me help out when I am not working next door. We are going to have the BEST NEIGHBORS anyone can ask for. Please let me know if there is anything I can do!!
Tonya Johnson
6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I am glad to be apart of the Yarn Foundation and look forward to the future of Yarn. I am so overwhelmed with John's past and how he is a positive role model today! The event was a great start and I could see the emotion in John's eyes! John is a great father..husband and a true friend and I have the same passion as John & Deborah. I am glad both of them are in my life and I know they will change at least 1 kids life sooner or later! We need more positive people in the world like John & Deborah, they replace the negativity in the world! I look forward to the future of Yarn and I will help anyway I can! Thank you for the remembering my friend Rob Hinkey, it meant alot to me for you to have his name on the centerpeace! Keep up the good work you too..Hugs & kisses sent to you and to my friend Rob up above:)
MS.YVONNE SANDIFER JACKSON
10:06 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JOHN &DEBORAH,I LIVE IN NORTH CHICAGO ILL AND YARN HAS ALL READY HELP MY GRANDCHILDERN.MY GRANDSON HAD A CHANCE TO GO ON A COLLEGE TOUR THANK TO YARN,MY GRANDDAUGHTER WILL BE COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR AT THE AGE OF 16.I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YARN.LOVE MS.YVONNE SANDIFER JACKSON
Ginny Saul
7:57 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
I am so grateful to John and Deb and their passion to help youth, and show them they matter. We all need to know this and as we overcome whatever obstacles and trials we have to go through, its nice to know people are out there to help. I am so thrilled to see so many willing to come out and help, and reading Yvonne's testament of the help changing her grandchildren's lives, the love of God runs through my body. I love when we see God moving and changing people from inside out. I pray that all involved will be blessed in abundance by His mercy and grace. May YARN continue to thread together broken lives, and may our world be a better place because of it all. I pray God's blessings on the entire organization and may the fruits of the labor be abundant. -Ginny Saul
Jessandryan Beery
3:11 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
I have had the privilege of getting to know John for the past few years. I have been able to see first-hand what god is doing in his life and through his life for others. I am so proud that he working in our community and caring for people that most wouldn’t. You are a true man of god and I’m glad I can call you a friend!!! Please everyone; give something, nothing it too small.
Robbie.G
3:13 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
This is Robbie.G from MDS Radio Chicago from the entire team at MDS Radio we are so proud too be part of Yarn Foundation. It was an amazing night from the music to the desserts all the way too the wonderful silent auction prizes and John Anthonys speech I teared up when I heard the passion that this man and his wife Deborah have too give kids that feel like they have no hope a second chance John and Deborah Anthony and their volunteers deserve every bit of the money they raised plus much more way too go guys we are looking forward too your next big event