A month back a few of us folks in the northwest Chicago suburbs launched an online fundraising drive for our local township Democratic organization. We got a bit more than half-way to our goal and due to a variety of events I ended up putting it on the back-burner.
Well, back-burner no more... I'm asking you to help me bring it to a boil.
Our goal is very modest: only $750. But, the results would be huge.
$750 was chosen because that's about how much it costs to keep the local Dem office open. What's that you say? Just another office? Big whoop? Read on...
The Wheeling Township Democratic office (shared with neighboring Palatine Township Dems) is smack dab in the middle of Chicago's historically Republican northwest suburbs.
I say "historically" because, thanks to the hard work of many people (one hard-nosed guy in particular -- remember to remember I mentioned him), this neck of the woods is definitely turning purple, if not downright blue.
The Wheeling Township Democratic Organization covers the Chicago suburbs of Arlington Heights, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights, Wheeling and more.
Last year, 2006, for the first time since the 1800s we elected a Democratic state Senator to a district that covers a good portion of our township.
This year, 2008, in addition to the now incumbent Dem state Senator, we have strong candidates running as challengers plus one who is running for an open seat.
All are working with volunteers from the Wheeling Township Dems. In fact, shared office is the only permanent, open Democratic office in the northwest Chicago suburbs.
In addition to the candidates, activists and others who come to speak at the regular meetings at that office, it also serves as a base for candidates running for everything from local legislative races to Dan Seals for Congress to recent volunteers for Obama, Clinton, Kucinich, Richardson and more (and in 2003/4 the Wheeling Dems' office was also open to Deaniacs and more...).
The driving force behind all this activity was the late Township Committeeman Pat Botterman. Pat passed away two months ago, way too young at 44. He is the hard-nosed fellow I told you to remember earlier in the diary.
It was Pat's leadership that laid the foundation for much of this Dem feistiness. He went out and found the Dems in an area that most wrote off as just another Republican stronghold. He fought the good fight against both Republicans and "machine" Dems. His most recent race, before his untimely passing, was as campaign manager for Mark Pera -- you might've heard of that guy too.
...And when there weren't enough funds in the bank to cover a month's rent or pay the utilities, Pat dug deep and covered those costs himself.
Now, in the wake of his passing, we are raising funds to keep his legacy of patriotism, integrity and activism alive.
Our modest goal of $750 covers one month's rent and expenses at the office.
The only permanent office in the area.
The only office that has consistently driven a 50-state strategy before there even was such a thing.
If you can forego those terrorist donuts for a day... please donate what you can. ;)
It will be put to a very good use supporting an all-volunteer office which helps elect Dems to local and Federal positions.
Thank you!
DONATE: Wheeling Township Democrats