Southeastern Wisconsin companies are invited to send corporate teams to compete when the Boy Scouts of America, Milwaukee Chapter, hosts its Corporate Pinewood Derby contest on Thursday, June 17, at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
The event will include teams from Milwaukee-area companies competing in a familiar Cub Scout tradition by racing homemade pinewood derby cars down a track.
Corporations already signed up to participate include Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Waukesha Electric Systems Inc, Twin Disc Inc., Patrick Cudahy Inc., Ladish Forging LLC and P&H Mining Equipment Inc. The deadline to participate is Monday, June 14.
“Teams should participate to promote teambuilding in your company and have fun at the same time,” said Katie Clark, fundraising and marketing director for the Boy Scouts. “Where else can you race little cars down a giant track and act like a kid again?”
Awards will be presented in the following categories: fastest car, best of show, best of corporation and best dressed pit crew.
The best of corporation award will be given to the company who designs its car to best represent its company.
A new rookie class was established this year as well, which will provide five pre-cut cars that require only minor decorating and assembly. There will be special awards for the rookie class category. 
Anyone interested can attend the event and enjoy the races, food and networking by purchasing a $20 “pit pass.”
“By attending, individuals can cheer on their favorite car and network with business leaders in our community,” Clark said.
To register a corporate team, ticket information and for additional pricing information visit: www.milwaukeeboyscouts.org/corporatepinewood.

Marcus Theatres, a division of Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation has teamed up with Variety- The Children’s Charity of Wisconsin to help special needs children and their families. The company has launched its “Reel Movies for Real Needs,” film series which will provide designated time slots for movie showings for families of special- needs children with autism and other challenges.
“Variety of Wisconsin provides life-enriching assistance to Wisconsin children challenged by physical disabilities,” said Bruce Olson, president of Marcus Theatres. “Together, Marcus Theatres and Variety will be providing these children with a life-long memory and a staple of childhood – the joy of seeing a movie on the big screen.”
The movie series will show the fourth Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at select Marcus Theatres’ locations. Upcoming movies include Toy Story 3 on June 26, Ramona and Beezus on July 24, Nanny McPhee Returns on Aug. 21, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole on Sept. 25.
“Variety is pleased to join the Marcus Theatres team in providing a real movie experience in a comfortable environment to children with special needs,” said Gerise LaSpisa, executive director of Variety- the Children's charity of Wisconsin. “Both our organizations are committed to providing fun entertainment to children who may not always get the chance to enjoy a regular show.”
The “Reel Movies for Real Needs” program creates a welcoming and comfortable environment for special needs children by offering family films with a lower sound volume and brighter lighting for families who may not feel comfortable attending regularly scheduled shows.
The series will take place at the South Shore Cinema in Oak Creek as well as the Sheboygan Cinema in Sheboygan. Two other theaters in Wisconsin are participating as well as multiple other locations throughout the Midwest.

SHARP Literacy recently held the fourth component in the multi-year Circle of Life Project, sponsored by the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation. The project’s goal was to enlist students in artistic efforts to bridge racial and cultural divides while helping them build lifelong skills in reading, writing and research. Students from five schools representing five cultures in Milwaukee performed songs and dances that highlighted their various ethnicities. The performances ended with all of the students coming together on stage to premiere a song called “Let’s Make A World” with lyrics written by students from Escuela Vieau and music by Present Music composer, Connie Grauer.

Milwaukee Recreation will host the 11th annual citywide Special Olympics tournament on Saturday, June 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wick Playfield, 4929 W. Vliet St.
Participants will compete in softball, t-ball, bocce, and tennis for the opportunity to qualify for the district competition in July.
"This is a major event for Milwaukee's Special Olympics program," said assistant recreation supervisor Jodie Theis. "Anyone who attends our tournament will see that our program helps athletes to stay physically fit, socialize with others, and improve self-confidence.”
More than 600 athletes from Milwaukee, Washington and Ozaukee counties will compete for a chance to play at the district competition, Theis said.
“We have 16 softball teams, ten t-ball teams 62 bocce ball teams and 26 tennis players for the day,” she said.
Theis has been running the event in Milwaukee for ten years.
“It’s wonderful to see the camaraderie year after year,” she said. “Some of the athletes don’t get to see each other until the tournaments so it’s great to see that and to see them excel in their sport.”
The event is free and open to the public, a concession stand will be available as well. According to Theis, the organization needs more volunteers to assist with score keeping and other tasks. For more information, or to volunteer, please call (414) 647-6044.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Juvenile Research Diabetes Foundation (JDRF) has been named Chapter of the Year of the world’s leading charitable funder and advocate for type 1 diabetes research. The Chapter was recently presented with the “2010 Lee Ducat Chapter of the Year” honors at the JDRF Annual Conference Awards of Excellence dinner in Washington, D.C. 
“This is a special honor because it is the 40th anniversary of JDRF, and it’s the first year this award is named after one of the organization’s co-founders, Lee Ducat,” said JDRF executive director, Wendy Hanisch. “This award is very important to our 25-year-old Chapter. It is a testament to our commitment to find a cure and acknowledges everyone in Southeastern Wisconsin who has supported our efforts. The teamwork demonstrated by our Board, tremendous staff and the entire community should make everyone proud.”
Nominations for the top JDRF location were received from all regions of the U.S., with varied geographical size and markets. The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter is managed efficiently by a small staff of six and the strategic utilization of committed volunteers.
“We will continue to set the bar high and work to achieve even better results in the future,” Michael Crowley, chapter board president said. “It is through this commitment and passion that I believe we will reach our goal of finding better treatments and a cure for diabetes and its complications.”

Fundraising auction for RedLine
RedLine Milwaukee will host its Second Annual “Art Auction Fundraiser on Friday, June 25 from 7 to 9 p.m.  The auction will feature work from both local and national artists priced from $20 - $4,000. The auction will also include RedLine’s first ever Art Lottery. The Jason Spottek Jazz Ensemble will be performing. General admission cost is $10 per person. Tickets will be available at the door.

Lupus Foundation makes strides for Lupus research
The Lupus Foundation of America, Wisconsin Chapter will host its 9th Annual Strides for Lupus Walk on Saturday, June 12, on the Mount Mary College Campus, 2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy.  The three mile or one mile non-competitive walk offers participants a chance to raise funds and awareness for the disease. Lupus is a chronic non-contagious autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, injury to tissues and pain. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women. Symptoms and diagnosis occur most often when women are in their child-bearing years, between the ages of 15 and 45.
To register for the Walk or for more information visit www.lupuswi.org

Tasting Tuesday at the Ale House
The Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness will host Tasting Tuesday at the Milwaukee Ale House, 233 N. Water St., on Tuesday, June 15 from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the annual event support critical programs and services for children and adults throughout Wisconsin who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Attendees will have the opportunity to sample hand-crafted beers and wines from around the world, while enjoying food from the Milwaukee Ale House and music from Dan Dance. A live and silent auction will also be held.
Cost to attend is $40 per person or a $350 for a ten pack. Purchase tickets online at www.cchdwi.org or by calling 414-604-2200. An online silent auction will also take place as part of the event at www.biddingforgood.com/cchd from Tuesday, June 1 until Tuesday, June 14.

YWCA to host breakfast series
The YWCA of Greater Milwaukee will kick off its Professional Women’s Breakfast series on Wednesday, June 16 at Mount Mary College, north dining room, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The first session, Experience Speaks will feature panelists Shelia Cochran, chief operating officer, secretary/treasurer of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Patricia Pearman, director of disparity programs & U.S. partnerships, General Electric Company and Ursula Twombly, president of Continuum Architects + Planners. Cost to attend is $25; tickets can be purchased at www.ywcammilw.org Future series dates are scheduled for Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.

An evening with the arts in Milwuakee
MKE Live in partnership with the Southeastern Wisconsin Arts Guild will host An Evening with the Arts at Discovery World Pier Wisconsin’s Pilot house, 500 N. Harbor Drive, on Monday, June 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The evening will feature members of the Milwaukee Arts and Entertainment community engaging business leaders on topics like The Art of Improv, Some Refelctions on a Life in Theatre, Guerilla Music-Making and Neighborhood Arts Advocacy and much more.  “It is the first in a series of events designed to integrate the Arts and Business communities together to form a mutually-beneficial cultural alliance,” said Dan Laske, President of the Southeastern WI Arts Guild.
Cost to attend is $20 at the door or $15 if you pre-register at www.mkelive.com/calender.
Cost for “An Evening with the Arts” is $20 at the door, but only $15 if you pre-register at www.mkelive.com/calendar.

Non Profit Volunteer/ Board Member of the Week:
Name: Bob Monday
Title: Board Chair
Nonprofit organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc.
Nonprofit Address:  8948 Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI  53226
Website:  www.rmhcmilwaukee.org
Mission of the organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin is dedicated to easing the burden of families whose lives have been disrupted as a result of their child’s illness or injury.  We provide a home-away-from-home and caring outreach initiatives. 
How did you become a board member?   For years I had admired the work of my friend, Dr. James Casper who is the Medical Director, Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.  I wanted to support his mission of helping sick children.  Through my volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House, I am able to help the families of these children. I co-chaired the Annual Black Tie Gala for three years and from then on I became progressively more involved in the mission and work of the Ronald McDonald House.
How long have you been on the board? "I have been on the Board for six years, I joined in 2004."
How would you encourage others to get on the board?  "My recommendation would be to join our Friends of the Ronald McDonald House group.  The “Friends” are ambassadors for our organization who help support the House by providing event support, partnership development, solicitation support and program support."
What is your role on the board?  "Currently, I am Chairman of the Board and my role is to energize the Board to become more active in using their talents to further the mission of the Ronald McDonald House."
Why do you volunteer? "For me, it is a form of gratitude…when you feel your life has been filled with so many blessings and good fortunes, you want to pay it forward."
How can business people/the community help your organization? "I would encourage them to become more aware of the role that Ronald McDonald House plays in the community…it truly fills a need for families who count on us for a place to rest and rejuvenate their bodies and spirits after a long day at the hospital with their critically ill or injured child.  They are exhausted from the fear, upheaval and financial worries that now consume their days. We anticipate an expansion in the near future.  We could really use the business community’s help in raising awareness and funds for this critical need for families of ill children. It is often misunderstood that the Ronald McDonald House is fully funded by McDonald’s.  While we share their name and they are a very generous corporate partner, donations through their restaurant donation box program and other McDonald’s promotions fund about 20 percent of our annual operating costs.   The mainstay of our support comes from individuals, corporations and foundations that choose the Ronald McDonald House as their charity of choice."
Best volunteering memory "I am a firm believer in volunteering and giving back.  Another one of my volunteer activities is teaching Introduction to Business at the high school level.  I thought it was important to educate the students on the important role our military plays in allowing us to live our life as we know it.  These Marines, many of whom are barely older than the students themselves, were putting their lives in danger while we are able to live in peace and freedom. I had my high school students start writing to the Marines. my students asked the Marines what they could do for them, if there was anything they could do to help them.  Their answer:  don’t worry about us – take care of our families. In conjunction with the Milwaukee Bucks, the students decided to get all the families together on the same night and treat them to a Bucks game! With much donated time, energy, and resources they were able to video tape messages from the families to send to their loved ones serving their country.  The students also created a huge banner to hang in the stands at the Bucks game with a message to the Marines.  A surprise message from the Marines to their families who they knew would all be gathered at the Bradley Center played on the Jumbotron!  The Bucks and the opposing team all filed off the court and into the stands to sign the huge banner that would be sent overseas!  The fans stood and applauded. We all learned first hand that night how important it is to see a need and act on it…that is the true spirit of volunteerism!  It is a feeling like no other!”

Nonprofit People
Dr. Peter Lake, medical director of Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, will be the honorary chair of the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation's 15th annual golf outing. Lake is also the medical director of Child and Adolescent Services in Oconomowoc at The Child and Adolescent Center, a specialized treatment facility for children with severe mental illness. "Dr. Lake is a natural choice for this honor," said Marion Heinz, executive director of the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, "His commitment to the hospital, the foundation, and children is a gift. We are so grateful for his leadership and dedication.” The 15th Annual Rogers Memorial Hospital Golf Outing will be held Monday, July 12, at the Legend at Brandybrook golf course in Waukesha.  Proceeds from the 2009 outing exceeded $65,000. One-hundred percent of the funds raised support children in treatment at Rogers Memorial. For more information about the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation and the 15th annual golf outing, visit the foundation's website or call 262-646-1343.

BizTimes Milwaukee has launched its 2010 Nonprofit Directory. Submissions for the directory were collected since the beginning of 2010, and the list is now available for viewing and for purchase in a print format. The directory includes vital information about 501(c)3 organizations based in or serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, Kenosha, Washington, Ozaukee or Sheboygan counties. The directory is intended to connect the region's nonprofit organizations with the business community. Submissions can still be made online and an electronic version of the directory is available for viewing online at www.biztimes.com/nonprofit.

• Friday, June 11 The Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens will host is annual fundraising event at the gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners, from 6-9 p.m. Guests can enjoy the gardens in full bloom, music from Cream City Jazz, food and drink from Bartolotta Catering, a silent auction and raffle, and live green demonstrations. Cost to attend is $75  For Information & reservations, contact Kristine at 414-525-5661 or kpetersen@fbbg.org
• Saturday, June 26 Elite Sports Clubs will host its Breakfast at Wimbledon fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Southeastern Wisconsin chapter, on Saturday, June 26, at Mequon Elite Sports Club, 11616 N. Port Washington Road beginning at 10 a.m. Guests will enjoy a traditional English-style breakfast while seated at center court on the club’s tennis court. Wimbledon will be show live on a large outdoor screen. The menu for the event will be catered by the Marcus Corporation and include an entrée of strawberries and cream, crumpets, bangers (British sausage), french toast, eggs, potatoes, tea, champagne and more. Following breakfast, all attendees can enjoy the Mequon Elite Sports Club for the remainder of the day, including the recently completed indoor and outdoor salt-water pools, exercise equipment and family gym. Cost to attend is $35 for adults and $10 for children and under, guests are encouraged to wear their tennis whites and tickets can be purchased by calling 262-241-4250.
• Monday, July 19 St. Francis Foundation will host its Annual Golf Outing at Tuckaway Country Club. Participation in the outing will benefit the children educated at the Child Development Center of St. Joseph and the senior residents who call Villa St. Francis their home. Those interested can choose to play in the outing, provide raffle or auction items, or make cash donations. For questions or for further information call the St. Francis Foundation office at 414-645-5337, ext 270

To view additional calendar items or to submit your own events please visit the BizTimes.com calendar

• Association of Fundraising Professionals

• Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee

• Donors Forum of Wisconsin

• Greater Milwaukee Foundation

• Marquette Funding Information Center

  MRA-The Management Association

• Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee

• Nonprofit Center Workshop Calendar

• Non Profit Jobs

• UWM Helen Bader Institute for Non Profit Management

• UWM School of Continuing Education nonprofit workshops

• Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee