A race to end homelessness puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising

By Maureen Callahan

For more than three decades, DuPagePads has been bringing people in from outside to assist unsheltered persons on a path out of homelessness. The organization makes clients feel wanted and welcome while they work to create a change in their circumstances. Each story is unique.

The mission began by offering overnight shelter in area church basements. Space was limited to 60 people per night. The location changed daily, making it difficult for clients to move from one location to the next without their own transportation.

It is impossible to build a life under those circumstances, especially with children in tow.

COVID forced the hand of a needed change as congregate shelters closed. DuPagePads purchased a local hotel and pivoted to a residential model they call the Interim Housing Complex (IHC). Families now have their own space, with single clients sharing rooms.

For many, that change was life-altering. “You would be amazed how much different a person’s outlook becomes once they have their own front door and shower,” said DuPagePads President & CEO April Redzic. “Hope comes back, and people start to see a path out of their current circumstances.”

While acquiring a hotel to create a more user-friendly space for clients was a huge gain, retrofitting the space has had its challenges.

One of DuPagePads’ biggest needs is helping residents with healthy food. At the moment, clients have access to grab-and-go options prepared by local restaurants and faith-based organizations. A new kitchen to cook and serve healthy food is under construction.

DuPagePads hosts several fundraisers each year. Donations are earmarked toward a project at the housing complex. Mid-July marked the 14th anniversary of the group’s second largest annual fundraiser, Drive for 155, an annual go kart race held at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet. For the last few years, funds raised have gone toward the kitchen project.

The event began as the brainchild of Joel Weinberger, owner of Continental AutoSports Ferrari and longtime friend of the organization. The first year, it was called Drive for 25, with a goal of $25,000. Over the years, the ante has been upped. This year, the aim is $155,000.

Teams are placed into rookie, sportsman, and professional brackets. Experience varies – from participants who have never previously driven a go kart – all the way to professional racecar drivers. All levels of expertise are welcome to race.

Architect Bill Styczynski organizes the teams for Studio21 Architects, a firm that participates every year. “It’s a four-hour endurance-based race,” said Styczynski, “for which we have 4 to six drivers per team. We switch off during the event, so everyone gets a chance to drive. My team has four drivers, so we’ll each drive for a total of an hour in half-hour shifts,” he said.

Studio21 began competing in Drive for 155 when he met Weinberger in the context of a business meeting.
“The event came up in conversation, and Joel asked if our firm would want to organize a team,” said Styczynski. “I thought it sounded like a fun office activity.”

For the last few years, Studio21 has sent two teams. While there is plenty of friendly competition in the office amongst the drivers in the weeks leading up to the event, the fundraising component is as great a contest as the actual drive.

All registered driving groups are requested to aim for $5,000 as a minimum fundraising goal, with some teams raising as much as $30,000.

“There’s some good-natured trash talk around the office in the weeks leading up to the event,” laughed Styczynski. “But it’s all in good fun.”

As an incentive, the team that raises the most money gets to choose their starting position on the track. “At first, even the minimum goal seems daunting,” said Styczynski, “but our clients are always very generous. I think our donor base sees a link between us as an architectural firm that designs home additions and the needs of families in the community without homes of their own.”

While it’s meant to be a fun event, race night is taken seriously. Some download Racemonitor, an app that keeps track of team standings in real-time. “It’s pretty handy,” said Styczynski, “because we can see how many pit stops other teams have left and how much time they’ll lose. Then we calculate how we’ll make it up.”

Admission is free and the club closes to the public on race night. Teams bring tents where family and friends can sit and watch. Some bring their own provisions. There’s also an onsite café where you can pick up items to nosh. After the race, everyone tailgates until the club shuts its lights off.

“It really is a fun night for a great cause,” said Tami Weir, Drive for 155 Chairperson.

Organizers would love to see some more registrants next year. There were 11 teams this year with a total of 60 drivers. The club could accommodate as many as 15 teams. Straczynski wants to remind others that no karting experience is necessary. “I would like to be someone Pads can count on to train newcomers,” he said.

“We can get people out to the club and teach them how to drive after they register. You don’t have to be a club member or know what you’re doing ahead of time to have fun at this event.”

DuPagePads President & CEO April Redzic attends the event in July.

The annual go kart race held at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet raises money for DuPagePads.