Earlier this year, the Caterpillar Foundation announced it would match up to $2.5 million in employee donations to COVID-19 response efforts—employees maxed out those funds in just one week, raising a total of $3.9 million. Almost $2 million will go to not-for-profit agencies in Central Illinois.

“They were definitely ready for the challenge and rose to the challenge,” said Kylene Anthony, engagement manager at Caterpillar Foundation.

Nearly 600 Caterpillar employees and retirees donated to the foundation’s efforts. The funds will go to 524 not-for-profit agencies across 43 states, including more than 100 in Central Illinois.

In Highland Park, the Celebrate Highwood organization has partnered with the Family Services Lake County to feed over 200 families in the community.

In just two days, Celebrate Highwood raised over $4,000 to distribute produce, meat, eggs and fresh masa to households struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BellaRu Catering and Mis Dos Magos provided the food, which was delivered in trucks donated by Windy City Linen and Greco & Sons.
Fill-A-Heart 4 Kids contributed diapers and toiletries to the effort, and Families Helping Families Chicagoland gave out bags of summer toys to help keep kids entertained at home.