Casual For A Cause:
PEER Chain employees created the Casual For A Cause initiative to raise funds for charities serving our local communities in Lake County. Employees are able to donate to the fund each month and are rewarded with Casual Fridays. The funds donated are matched by PEER Chain and a new organization is chosen each quarter to receive our donation. Below are highlights from some of the organizations we have worked with.
01/03/2025:
Kicking Off 2025 with Gratitude and Generosity: PEER Chain’s Year-End Impact
As we welcome 2025, we reflect on the incredible acts of kindness and support from the PEER Chain team that made the end of last year so impactful. It’s heartwarming to see how much good we can accomplish together, and we’re excited to share some highlights from December.
Giving Back Through “Casual for Fridays”
Our “Casual for Fridays” dress-down contributions made a meaningful difference in the community. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to support four charitable organizations with much-needed funds and resources.
In December, The North Chicago Rotary Club and the Legacy Reentry Foundation (via George Moore and The Legacy House) each received $2,000 to further their missions. But the giving didn’t stop there! George and his team swung by to pick up winter jackets, clothing, and other essentials collected by our employees. They were beyond grateful for your kindness.
Spreading Joy with Toys for Tots
Several of our team members also participated in the Marines’ Toys for Tots project, helping bring smiles to children during the holiday season. Your contributions brought joy and hope to families in need, proving once again the power of community spirit.
Yogi Bear and Santa’s Visit
While there may have been some lighthearted confusion from Yogi Bear over Santa’s (Kelley Miller, THIEL Brand Design) visit to PEER on December 23rd, the appreciation shared that day was crystal clear. The spirit of giving was alive and well!
Looking Ahead
We ended 2024 on a high note, but the real excitement lies in what’s ahead. Let’s carry this momentum into 2025, continuing to pay it forward and support the communities around us.
To everyone who contributed: thank you. Your generosity and compassion make all the difference. Here’s to a year filled with even more positive impact!
01/15/2023:
Rotary International, North Chicago District: PEER Chain is a member of Rotary International, in the North Chicago, IL, district 6440. The 2022 Q4 Casual for a Cause donations were contributed to this organization that helps in many areas of the local community as well as the world at large.
11/24/2022:
Animal Education and Rescue: A donation of donuts was made for the participants of Tracey's Turkey Trot benefitting the Animal Education and Rescue, a foster home based humane society for domesticated animals based in Libertyville, IL, on Thanksgiving morning. PEER Chain's K9 Ambassadors, Yogi and Chewy, were there in spirit!
10/15/2022:
A Safe Place: The Q3 Casual for a Cause donations went to sponsor the 20th Annual Drive Out Domestic Violence golf outing benefitting A Safe Place in Zion, IL. A Safe Place works with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in the Lake County, IL, area.
06/18/2022:
Juneteenth Expo and Festival: PEER Chain's 2022 second quarter donations from the Casual for a Cause program went to support the Juneteenth Expo and Festival in Waukegan, IL. PEER's own DaVida Kanous, Customer Success Team Lead, was on hand at the PEER Chain booth!
04/15/2022:
A Safe Place: PEER Chain's 2022 first quarter donations from the Casual for a Cause program were given to A Safe Place, in Zion, IL. PEER Chain has been a supporter of this organization often over the years with this donation going to sponsor their 10th Annual EmpoweRun 5k. Many PEER Chain employees also took part in running the 5k!
01/15/2022:
Rotary International, North Chicago District: PEER Chain is a member of Rotary International, in the North Chicago, IL, district 6440. The 2021 Q4 Casual for a Cause donations were contributed to this organization that helps in many areas of the local community as well as the world at large.
10/15/2021
Noah's Rest: The 2021 Q3 Casual for a Cause donations benefitted Noah's Rest, in Zion, IL. Noah's Rest is an organization that provides temporary shelter for the pets of domestic violence victims in Lake County, IL.
07/15/2021
A Safe Place: The Q2 Casual for a Cause donations were used to sponsor a hole at the 19th Annual Drive Out Domestic Violence golf outing, benefiting A Safe Place, in Zion, IL. PEER Chain's own Glenn Spungen, President, also golfed in the event!
04/15/2021
A Safe Place: PEER Chain's Q1 Casual for a Cause donations were used to sponsor the Wine, Women and Shoes virtual event benefitting A Safe Place in Zion, IL. A Safe Place assists victims in transforming their lives after domestic violence and human trafficking.
01/15/2021
Families from Percy's Church for the Holidays: The 2020 Q4 organization chosen for the employee's Casual for a Cause donation was Families from Percy's Church for the Holidays, providing assistance to those in need during the holiday season.
10/15/2020
Noah's Rest: The 2020 3rd quarter Casual for a Cause chosen was Noah's Rest in Zion, IL. Noah's Rest provides temporary shelter for pets of domestic violence survivors so no one has to choose between abandoning their pet or staying in an abusive relationship.
07/15/2020
Mothers Trust Foundation: PEER Chain's 2020 Q2 choice for the Casual for a Cause donation was Mothers Trust Foundation. Based in Libertyville, IL, the organization provides immediate assistance during times of crisis to low-income children living in Lake County, IL.
05/02/2020
A Safe Place 5K Run: PEER Chain donated and paid for our employees to join the 8th Annual 5k run benefiting A Safe Place, a local organization supporting victims of domestic violence.
12/05/2019
Bombas: Bombas is a clothing brand on a mission to help those in need. Did you know that socks are the #1 most requested clothing item in homeless shelters? Bombas donates one brand new pair of socks for every pair purchased. PEER Chain purchased two pairs of socks for all of it’s employees and got to donate the other pairs to A Safe Place in Zion, IL and The North Chicago Neighborhood Closet.
05/17/2019
Stuff the Duffel: After the tragic death of a little boy in foster care named AJ, a fundraiser was started on Facebook for people who would like to donate items to kids in foster care. Thousands of people joined the fundraiser’s Facebook page and PEER Chain was one of them. Employee’s brought in many great items, including backpacks and toys for kids in foster care.
12/20/2018
Reverend Percy Johnson: PEER Chain donated Christmas gifts to four families in need from Rev. Percy Johnson's church, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. We received a thank you letter from one of the families as well. The holidays are an extra special time to help those in need.
Lunch and Learns
10/04/2019
Heather Heyer Foundation: The Heather Heyer Foundation was created to honor Heather Heyer, a young civil rights activist, who dedicated her life to promoting equal rights for all people. The Foundation has established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to individuals passionate about positive social change. Heather’s mother, Susan Bro, came in to speak at a PEER Chain Lunch and Learn, teaching us all about what their foundation does and sharing her daughter’s story.
4/18/2019
AEAR, Animal Education & Rescue, is a non-profit organization committed to helping countless numbers of animals and people through rescue, education and therapy. Sandy, AEAR’s Founder and Director, came in to speak at a PEER Chain Lunch and Learn. She brought her dog “” who was originally a rescue of theirs. She spoke to us about who AEAR is and what they do to help animals and educate people to be responsible pet owners.