Related Midwest and Employees Support SOS Children’s Villages Holiday Giving Program

CHICAGO (December 20, 2013) – Developer Related Midwest and its employees hit the toy aisle and filled shopping carts to help make the holidays bright for children served by SOS Children’s Villages, Illinois, which provides a viable alternative to traditional foster care. Related Midwest matched all contributions by individual employees to SOS’s annual Holiday Giving Program.

The donation coincides with the announcement that Don Biernacki, senior vice president of construction for Related Midwest, has been named 2014 board president of SOS Children’s Villages.

“We’re extremely proud of Don’s personal commitment to SOS Children’s Villages. He’s a great inspiration for all of us and an incredible leader in our corporate philanthropic efforts,” said Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest. “Our company has a long-standing relationship with SOS through our annual charitable golf outing, which this year raised more than $150,000 for the organization, so it’s wonderful to see our employees extending our involvement through their individual holiday contributions.”

The toys donated by Related Midwest were distributed directly to SOS families. Typically, five or six foster children, often including biological siblings, live in an SOS home with a full-time, professionally trained foster parent.

“One of the most important things SOS Children’s Villages does is to create a supportive, stable family environment where children can thrive,” said Biernacki, who has served on the board of directors for SOS Children’s Villages for several years. “To be able to contribute to that effort in even a small way by giving these families a memorable holiday celebration is extremely gratifying for all of us at Related Midwest.”

About Related Midwest
Related Midwest, the Chicago office of Related Companies, is the preeminent Chicago developer of luxury condominium and rental homes, affordable housing and unique mixed-use properties since 1988.  Recognized for its innovative, market-defining developments, Related Midwest creates properties of enduring value such as 340 on the Park, the first LEED-Silver residential tower in the Midwest. Currently the most active player in Chicago development, Related Midwest has two ultra luxury rental developments totaling more than 1,000 residences in downtown Chicago: 500 North Lake Shore Drive (currently leasing) and 111 West Wacker Drive (opening Summer 2014). The firm is also marketing South Loop Luxury by Related, three marquee South Loop condominium properties. Among Related Midwest’s successes in the downtown Chicago area are The Residences on Lake Shore Park (comprising 840 Lake Shore Drive, The Pearson, and The Belvedere), the Park Hyatt Hotel and Park Tower Condominiums at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, and 340 on the Park at 340 E. Randolph Street. For more information, visit www.RelatedMidwest.com.

About SOS Children’s Villages, Illinois
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois provides a viable alternative to traditional foster care. Children who come to live at SOS stay with their biological brothers and sisters in a private home. A full-time, professionally trained foster parent lives with them, and the whole Village gives them support, compassion and strength. For more information, visit www.sosillinois.org.

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