We are proud to support The Peoria Park District and help make an impact on those who live, work or play in our District. Our work in the Foundation helps the Peoria Park District in their efforts to help our citizens continue to prioritize their health and wellness while making connections within the community and helping them learn about the importance of environmental stewardship. The programs the Peoria Park District offers, the trails, golf courses, and the parks you enjoy would not be possible without the Foundation.
Barbecues, hikes, reunions, festivals, concerts, trips to the Zoo are just a few things that make summer one of our favorite seasons! We are grateful to be the backdrop for these activities and more for everyone in our community. It is an honor for us at the District and in the Foundation to help you create treasured memories and build new friendships! We hope that we can continue to make such wonderful programs and activities, and that you will support us to help ensure the these wonderful traditions can continue.
SUPPORT OUR PARK DISTRICT
There is so much that the Peoria Park District offers our community, and in the Foundation, we are proud to help with financial support to make the above programs, spaces, and places possible for you and your loved ones. There are many ways to give back, and whether that’s through financial contributions, the gift of time through volunteering, or even simply shopping at amazon or Kroger, you can make a huge impact.
The Legacy Fund is a joint effort between the Peoria Park District and the Peoria Park District Foundation to ensure our trails, parks, open spaces, and nature preserves are well-maintained for future generations. Now, more than ever, we need each other. As we are experiencing the critical need to preserve the important role nature and parks play in our lives, we at the Peoria Park District and the Foundation are committed to being the best possible stewards of our environmental and public resources. We are committed to preserving them for those who live, work, and play in our community today and for generations to come. And that is why we created the Legacy Fund. During the Covid-19 Pandemic our parks, trails, and nature preserves served a vital role in promoting health and well-being of our community. The Legacy Fund helps to continue this mission.
A gift to the Legacy Fund would be a terrific way to show your love and your respect for the trails, the parks, the open spaces, and the nature preserves that makes the Peoria Park District such a special and unique treasure within our community. We hope you will join us in demonstrating that our collective commitment to the environment is stronger than ever. There has never a better time to make your mark and leave your legacy than today.
Please join us in preserving the future of our parks, trails, and our green spaces by clicking the button below to make a gift.
Parks are the backdrop for making memories. They host weddings, family reunions or even daily walks with friends or family. A tribute gift is a great way to honor or remember a loved one, commemorate a milestone, or recognize someone special in our life.
Your tax-deductible gift to the Peoria Park District Foundation is not only a thoughtful way to honor or remember others, but it also supports a cause that has a lasting impact. We will gratefully acknowledge your tribute gift by notifying the person or family member you designate with a special card, or when relevant, information about the trail or acreage you’ve adopted in their honor.
To view our Tribute and Memorial Gift Guidelines and Opportunities or inquire for more information, please click the buttons below.
Today’s planned gifts truly are the gifts that keep on giving. When given to the Peoria Park District, a planned gift can have ripple effects that touch millions of lives over time. Make a statement and ensure that your gift leaves a legacy that supports the health and vibrancy of our community!
A planned gift is one of the most meaningful ways to continue to support an organization that is dear to you and help to ensure that the things you love now will continue to be available well past your lifetime. Through a planned gift, you are also able to increase the impact of your commitment. You can make your planned gift today and provide a source of life-long income for you and your family, or you may wish to use your estate or tax plans to benefit the Peoria Park District and minimize taxation on your estate in the future.
Deciding whether to establish a planned gift and who to support is a difficult task. We are here to help and can work with you to tailor a plan that allows your gift to support your favorite part of the Park District, Whether that’s parks, trails, or one of our facilities and programs. YOUR intent will lead the way!
There are many ways to support the Peoria Park District with NO cost to you now, but will have a lasting impact later. Check these tools out:
Play It Forward Peoria gives children the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of youth sports participation. The program collects new and gently-used sports and playground equipment from the local youth sports community.
Here are the steps:
- Find your unused sports equipment.
- Bring it to a Play It Forward Peoria Drop Off Location. Currently, you can drop them off during normal business hours at Owens Ice Center, RiverPlex, Proctor Recreation Center or the Noble Center. An afterhours drop box is located at the Noble Center for you to drop off your items.
- After you donate, we sort the donations to either be used to help fund the program or distribute the equipment to schools and organizations.
The beautiful heart shaped memorial garden is founded by Jon Buckley’s Mother and Stepfather Yolanda & Danny Wallace. It was founded in 2012. Their son Jon Buckley was killed Sept. of 2006, and they have created a healing place for others to visit. This beautiful flower Garden is located behind the RiverPlex Recreational and Wellness Center on 600 N.E. Water St. in Peoria IL, so that others will have a safe place, to reflect and remember. Others can donate and get a brick in the memory of their loved ones. Those who died of a tragedy not related to health issues.
Join us for our next upcoming event. Learn more here!
It could not be done without the partnerships of the City of Peoria and the Peoria Park District. Later the Heart of IL AEYC, partnered with a lending Library for Children and their Families. People visit the park frequently. There are books and pamphlets to read about Grief Support, feelings and coping etc.
If you would like to be a Partner of the Jon Buckley Memorial Garden you can give a donation to the Peoria Park District Foundation C/O the Jon Buckley Memorial Garden, 1125 West Lake Ave. Peoria IL 61604.
Applications for personalized Bricks are on the Brochures. Return your application with a $100 donation, for a personalized brick. There is an area for Auto related, murder, suicide, drug over dose and other, around the heart of the garden.
About Jon Buckley
Jon Buckley was 20 years old, a Peoria High School graduate that was enrolled in the Navy Delayed Program. He was to deploy in October 2006. He was killed September 20, 2006 on Linn St. in Peoria IL before his departure. His Mother, Yolanda Wallace became an Advocate/Activist/Voice for families in the Peoria area. Advocating for more resources for Survivors. The Jon Buckley Memorial Garden is just one of many resources she built for survivors.
Learn more about the Garden by visiting their Facebook page.
To discuss any of these options or to get recommended language to use to make the Peoria Park District a beneficiary, please contact [email protected], or call us at 309.681.2861.
Please note the Peoria Park District Foundation cannot offer legal advice, but we are more than happy to start the conversation, provide resources, and connect you with financial professionals.
Peoria Park District Foundation is a proud agency of Heat of Illinois United Way. Through this, some programs have been made possible, in part, by a grant from the Heart of Illinois United Way.
