Hinsdale Auxiliary of Brightpoint

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Photos by Curt Patrick at Icon3Studios

The Hinsdale Auxiliary of Brightpoint (formerly Children’s Home & Aid) hosted its 69th annual Derby Day party. One of the oldest annual events in the Western suburbs, this year’s event was held at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook and raised over $120,000, benefitting Brightpoint’s family-focused programs across 67 counties in Illinois.

Formerly operating as Children’s Home & Aid, Brightpoint has served Illinois since 1883. Along with the recent rebrand, Brightpoint has recently refocused its work by focusing on family-based prevention and equity-driven programs and recognizing that families are the most critical asset for child and youth wellbeing. For more information on Brightpoint, visit Brightpoint.org.

Members of the Hinsdale Auxiliary of Brightpoint:  Susan Cobb (Hinsdale), Kim Doan (Clarendon Hills), Helen Becka (Hinsdale), Tish Newcomer (Hinsdale), Beth Lyons (Elmhurst), Lynn Mayer (Hinsdale), Shari Cornies (Hinsdale), Katy Altemose (Hinsdale), Heather Gould (Hinsdale), and Natalie Ryan (Oak Brook)

Mike and Natalie Ryan (Oak Brook), Melissa and Chad Gramann (Burr Ridge), Mary and Larry Baron (Hinsdale), and Danene McMahon (Hinsdale)

Mark Molepske (Hinsdale), Randy Rucker (Elmhurst), Dan Guistolise (Elmhurst), Jason Guistolise (Chicago), Dan VanEekeren (Hinsdale), Art Renier (Elmhurst), Pat Jones (Elmhurst), Ric Breunig (Glen Ellyn)

Chris Shramko and Jonathan Temps of Hinsdale watch the running of the Kentucky Derby.

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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