KIN Dedicates First Temporary Care Facility

Click for more photos of the dedication ceremony

Everything was just perfect for the open house and dedication ceremony for the first Kids In Need temporary care facility. The weather was gorgeous, the attendance was outstanding, and the guests and special dignitaries were very enthusiastic as they received a personal tour of the KIN House.

On Sunday June 9, 2002, Kids In Need was able to fulfill one of the dreams of president and founder Warren G. Gnau by opening its first facility in DuPage County. The single- family, newly remodeled Addison Township house was dedicated to Lee A. Daniels to honor his lifetime of support and commitment to helping children’s charities throughout Illinois. An area inside the facility was designed specifically to honor Leader Daniels and to recognize his ongoing support for the Kids In Need programs.

Henry Hyde enjoys "the elephant" that Warren and Barbara Gnau presented to Lee Daniels as a thank you for his support of Kids In Need.

“I was very honored and thrilled that so many special dignitaries, guests, and friends of KIN were able to attend the open house and dedication ceremony”, the KIN founder said. The Honorable Henry Hyde and Lee A. Daniels were two of the more than 80 attendees that signed the guest book that day. Other special guests included Bill Maio, DuPage County Board Finance Committee Chairman; Dan Wagner, Deputy Assistant to the Chairman of the DuPage County Board; Sylvia Luchini, Grant Manager for DuPage County Department of Human Resources; Christopher Kachiroubas, Addison Township Assessor; Kathie Cermak, Addison Township Supervisor/Treasurer; Addison Mayor, Larry Hartwig; Elmhurst Mayor, Tom Marcucci, Bloomingdale Mayor, Bob Iden; Elmhurst Chief of Police, John Millner; and Bloomingdale Chief of Police, Gary Shira.

After Henry Hyde provided comments to start the dedication ceremony, Lee Daniels was then given a tribute and presented with a gift to remind him of Kids In Need each day he’s in his Springfield office. Mr. Gnau was overheard telling his wife Barbara, “Having Henry and Lee and all of our special friends here at the open house really was a dream come true”.

Special Day, Special Friends, Special Event

The dedicated KIN volunteer staff worked hard to help make this event an outstanding success. Paula and Scott Pohlmann, and Peter and Susan Katz gave individual tours of the KIN House to all of the guests. These four KIN volunteers pointed out the unique decorations and explained the special features of the house that has now made this facility a warm and comforting environment for the kids that will be using it.

After the tours, guests were provided with a picnic buffet, friendly conversation, and a chance to share in the joy of the occasion. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and for helping make this a very special day for Kids In Need.