Friends of Tubman
Friends of Tubman is an all-volunteer group of parents and community members dedicated to making Harriet Tubman Elementary a great school for all students through fundraising and community outreach events.
Thank you to all of our generous donors. We are so grateful for all the support over the years. Donations to our General Fund are enthusiastically accepted anytime.
Please subscribe to our mailing list to receive information on upcoming fundraisers, community events, and to learn how to can get involved.
Upcoming Events & Fundraisers
Please join us for the 7th Annual Winterland Wishes celebration on Saturday, December 7th from 9-11am.
What is Winterland Wishes?
Winterland Wishes is an event that brings the Tubman community together to celebrate each other while providing much needed support for some important local organizations. We enjoy time as a community and give back!
Enjoy
- Eat breakfast, donated by Ann Sather, served by Tubman staff
- Enjoy some winter crafts
- Smile for family photos taken by Mr. Rench
- Listen to a winter story read by Tubman staff
- Appreciate the student artwork decorating the event
- Spend time together as a Tubman community
Give Back
- Shop our Bake Sale and Winter Market featuring delicious treats and Tubman gifts, to support FOT
- Buy items made by Tubman staff
- Donate and swap winter coats and gear benefitting Cradles to Crayons
- Swap your outgrown Sprit Wear for something "new"
- Bring canned goods for Common Pantry
- Enter the Tubman Raffle, raising money for the Middle School Travel Fund
How Can the Community Get Involved?
There are many ways to get involved from donating supplies, volunteering your time, bringing items to donate and swap as well as just enjoying the event, please CLICK HERE to sign up today or bring your items to the event!
FOT is in need of volunteers to help with this Holiday Shop. Students will visit the shop during school hours and will be able to purchase small gifts for family and friends.
Spirit Wear Store Holiday Sale
Tubman Spirit Wear makes the perfect gift! Choose from hundreds of designs and garments, all with home delivery guaranteed by December 23rd! And from now until December 10th, enjoy limited-time savings of 25% sitewide! A portion of all Spirit Wear sales goes back to Tubman. CLICK HERE to shop now!
18th Annual Tubman Fun Run
We set an aggressive goal to raise $40,000 during our 18th Annual Tubman Fun Run and we are thrilled to report that we surpassed it, raising OVER $56,000!! These important funds will go to supporting our school to meet CPS budget shortfalls in the areas of curriculum, staffing and technology. Thank you to our students, teachers, staff, families, community, sponsors and more for your support!
Thank You Sponsors!
A HUGE thank you to our incredible and generous sponsors. Thank you for supporting the 18th Annual Tubman Fun Run.
Popcorn Friday is Back!
We are no longer accepting subscriptions but popcorn can be purchased by paying $2 in cash each Popcorn Friday.
Our Popcorn Friday popping crew is looking for volunteers! We pop popcorn and deliver to classrooms. No experience necessary. Laughs guaranteed. Click here to volunteer!. Note that all volunteers must be approved CPS Level 2 volunteer (it's easy and quick, don't worry!). Volunteer information can be found here.
Ongoing Fundraising
Thank you to all our generous donors over the years. We are so grateful for all the support. Donations to our General Fund are enthusiastically accepted anytime. Please click here to donate now.
Assistance Program Fund
FOT is pleased to announce our second annual school Assistance Program Fund aimed at supporting our entire school community; both staff and families.
This fund has been created by both FOT & Administration with the goal of supporting families who have been suffering financial hardships during these unprecedented times. The fund aims to offer immediate assistance with various items and services such as:
- Emergency food, clothing and household items
- School supplies
Any additional items not specifically addressed above will be looked at on a case by case basis.
ALL REQUESTS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
For more information and to receive immediate support, please email: assistanceprogramfund@gmail.com
About Friends of Tubman
Accomplishments
FOT has provided financial support for a number of initiatives that would have otherwise been cut due to budget constraints.
Membership
All parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to join Friends of Tubman. Your participation, support and ideas can help shape Harriet Tubman Elementary into the school you want it to be.
All meetings will be on Zoom for the foreseeable future. A link will be emailed prior to each meeting.
Meeting dates for the 2024/2025 year:
Friends of Tubman holds monthly meetings that are open to all members of the community. All meetings are scheduled for 8am at Tubman and via Zoom
August 29, 2024
September 19, 2024
October 17, 2024
November 21, 2024
January 16, 2025
February 20, 2025
March 20, 2025
April 17, 2025
May 22, 2025
For more information, please contact FOT President, Charlotte Thoresen
Strategic Plan for Fundraising
In the last 5 years, we have raised over $500,000, which helps cover CPS budget gaps, strengthen our diverse community and support the school’s Strategic Plan for Fundraising. Tubman Elementary School’s fundraising goals are all directed towards supporting the Continuous Improvement Work Plan and the school vision and mission.
Short-term goals include funding arts, drama and dance programming, as well as supporting vital staff positions, investing in classroom technology, providing science lab supplies and repairing playground equipment. Long-term goals include renovating the gymnasium/auditorium.
Fundraising Initiatives
FOT supports our school with a variety of fundraisers and community events throughout the school year. See below for info on our annual fundraisers.
Each fall, the Fun Run, now in its 17th year, encourages family, friends and neighbors to sponsor students while highlighting our school's commitment to healthy habits. The 2023 Fun Run fall fundraiser, raised close to $50,000
In winter, the I ♥ IB Bulldogs Pledge Drive gives families the chance to show their appreciation for the school and what they love most. Families are encouraged to donate any amount they're comfortable with, whether it's a one-time amount or monthly.
Spring is host to two fundraisers: the Online Auction and Gala. The annual auction gives school families, their friends and neighbors across Chicago, plus over 300,000 bidders nationwide, the chance to bid on great items while supporting our school. The Spring Gala is an adults-only night full of fun, bidding and refreshments held in Chicago. Our 2022 Gala raised over $50,000.
Community outreach events include monthly Dining nights at popular area restaurants, with a portion of proceeds going to the school. It's a delicious way to support local businesses while benefiting our neighborhood school. Past participants include Lou Malnati's, Panera, McDonalds, Potbelly, Chipotle, Pockets and DMK Burger.
Friends of Tubman Board
Nicholette Maggio
Vice President
Sandra Minea
Treasurer
Tara Karmin
Karla Lombardi
Brittany Kersey
Ana Gallardo
Becky Abramowitz
Friends of Tubman Patti Lenkov Community Award
We are thrilled to share creation of the Friends of Tubman Patti Lenkov Community Award and announce the 2024 award winner who was recognized at graduation last week
Over her 15 years as a Tubman parent, Patti has given innumerable hours to the Tubman community in a multitude of roles, including serving as the President of Friends of Tubman for the last seven years. Patti’s legacy is one of service, community building, inclusivity, collaboration and leadership for Tubman.
The Friends of Tubman Patti Lenkov Community Award recognizes one graduating student who epitomizes these values and has contributed to strengthening the Tubman school community, inside and outside of the classroom. The 2024 award winner is Ainsley Waguespack.
Friends of Tubman is an all-volunteer group of parents and community members dedicated to making Harriet Tubman Elementary a great school for all students through fundraising and community outreach events. Friends of Tubman operates independently of the school as a non-profit 501(c)(3).
