ROCHELLE — In a letter to the community on Feb. 24, From the Heart President and Founder Dave Eckhardt said the organization would be ceasing operations after 18 years.
From the Heart raises money for nine area nonprofits: the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, HOPE of Ogle County, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Pegasus Special Riders, Hub City Senior Center, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA, Community Action Network (CAN) and Foundation for Focus House. It most recently held its 17th annual gala on Feb. 1 and saw record attendance and tied a fundraising record of $90,000. Each of From the Heart’s member organizations will receive a final check for $10,000 from this year’s gala.
“With sad but grateful hearts, we announce that after 18 very successful years, From The Heart is ending our fabulous run,” Eckhardt’s letter said. “We could not have done it without all of our generous donors. I'd also like to thank all the groups and their directors who helped make our fundraiser the success it was. I'd like to send a very special thank you out to Chuck Watkins, Sarah Flanagan, and Tonja Greenfield for all their hard work behind the scenes, they work tireless hours volunteering their time every year to raise money for these nonprofits. Thank you, Rochelle, for 18 very successful years of From The Heart.”
Foundation for Focus House Executive Director Jeni Hardin handles public relations for From the Heart and said Feb. 25 that the decision to end From the Heart was not made lightly. The organization will also be ending its yearly cash calendar sales.
“There were a lot of reasons,” Hardin said. “The thought process had been ongoing for a few months and Dave and Chuck have been doing this for 18 years. It takes a lot of work to put the event on each year along with everything else. Everybody just got tired. It became harder to find volunteers. We had a record year with attendance this year and raised $90,000 and Dave wanted to go out on top. It was not an easy decision to make.”
Hardin also worked with From the Heart as a director of one of its recipient organizations. From the Heart raised around $900,000 over its 18 years. It started out raising $30,000 in its first year for three area nonprofits and grew to have nine benefiting nonprofits and raised $90,000 in each of its final two years.
Hardon called being part of From the Heart “an honor.”
“As a group, they just worked tremendously to raise money for Focus House and the other nonprofits,” Hardin said. “Accepting the check every year for my organization was so incredible. It was humbling. The work was done by people that didn’t have to help. It’s getting harder to raise money today and knowing there was a group like From the Heart was great. It’ll be a hard loss and a hit to the foundation. Hopefully something else like this comes along in the future.”
From the Heart’s board is made up of Eckhardt, Watkins, Flanagan, and Greenfield along with the directors of the nine nonprofits. Hardin said that along with their work, the community’s support is what made From the Heart thrive for 18 years.
“We’re very aware of the fact that From the Heart couldn’t have happened without the support of the community,” Hardin said. “We had sponsors and community members step up to help. Planning the gala was a year-round job. 18 years and around $900,000 raised does not happen without the community.”
From the Heart’s cash calendars also became a staple of the community over the years with area residents donating $20 to have a chance at daily prizes throughout the year. That money became supplemental funding for From the Heart, helping out with its large gala event that included dinner, games, prizes and silent and live auction items.
The Rochelle Rotary Club was the sponsor of the From the Heart cash calendars, which were sold by Rotary members.
Hardin said work on From the Heart’s gala and operations took place year round, and that it will be strange for her not to be a part of it in the coming year.
“My office won’t be filled with auction baskets for it in the winter anymore,” Hardin said. “Dave is emotional about this and it’s bittersweet for him. He lives and breathes From the Heart. It just ran its course. Maybe it’s time for something else.”
Hardin thanked Eckhardt, Watkins, Flanagan, Greenfield and everyone else that helped with From the Heart over its 18-year run.
“The people of this community are amazing,” Hardin said. “Dave deserves so much praise. He has such a love for the community and a passion for helping others. He didn’t make this decision lightly. He deserves all of the thanks and praise for helping raise almost $1 million for the community over 18 years.”
