The Homewood Science Center’s Summer Fest fundraiser on July 17 also celebrated the center’s ninth anniversary. The nonprofit organization raised over $58,000 at the party at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor, exceeding its goal of $50,000.
Guests enjoyed an evening that featured a variety of music and hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities, with food and drinks. STEM-related activities included Tetris and building blocks, as well as painting.
As guests enjoyed the evening’s activities, Edie Dobrez, Homewood Science Center’s executive director, addressed the crowd expressing gratitude to staff and attendees for their support.
Edie Dobrez, Homewood Science Center’s executive director, left,listens as Julian Grisius, former participant of the Homewood
Science Center shares memories of his experience from the
center at the Summer Fest. (Summer Kiswani/ H-F Chronicle)
“We are not-for-profit. Without you, we could not do what we do, so thank you. It makes a difference,” Dobrez said.
“I am so lucky. I get to walk into Homewood Science Center and see kids have fun almost every day, what a joy. I wish I could bottle it and show it to all of you so you could see it all the time, too,” Dobrez said.
Dobrez introduced Homewood-Flossmoor High senior Julian Grisius, son of HSC board member Kim Ching Kong, who participated at the center when it first opened in 2016. He was 7 years old at the time.
Grisius recalled some memories of participating at the center in his youth, particularly when he was fascinated by a ferrofluid exhibit and a demonstration of particles passing through matter.
“The reason I share these specific memories is because I think in that moment my view on science changed. It wasn’t just some mystical practice that happened in a sterile lab by men with white coats speaking some indecipherable science language,” Grisius said, adding, “it felt very real, it felt like something that was around me, something that even I could do if I wanted to.”
Grisius credited the science center for sparking his curiosity in science, which inspired him to take the path he’s on now, which is to pursue a degree in psychology.
He even achieved a perfect score of 36 on his ACT college entrance exam, Dobrez said.
“I hope that the science center will stick around for a long time so that other people will have the same opportunity as I did,” Grisius said.
An online auction that opened days before the event and ended during the fundraiser featured a variety of items for bidding, including a caramel denim jacket and first class Chicago White Sox tickets. A separate raffle for wine and spirits was held that evening.