Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/78288
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANUELA HUNG (FRIENDS OF CONSERVATION) SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY Magnificent Living The Friends of Conservation team visiting the Mwika villagers' bee keeping project continued from page 70 was right. In 1989 I followed in her footsteps with fundraising luncheons at our Oak Brook Polo Club. In 1991 I took the organization downtown with an annual black-tie dinner dance, The Conservation Ball, which I have chaired since then—and in 2009 I began running the Kenya Reute Butler and her mother, Jorie Butler Kent projects and creating the forward vision for our mission. Friends of Conservation works with the Masai around Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve in community conservation programs, building a sustainable balance between people, wildlife, and the ecosystem. Projects fall into two categories: education and environmental preserva- tion. We founded FOC Conservation Clubs in 55 Mara schools, where students learn the value of preserving their environment and their cul- ture. Approximately 25,000 students have participated over the past two decades. We also provide adult education through our FOC Community Scouts Program, holding workshops on topics like HIV and disease pre- vention, and human wildlife conflict. Sustainable enterprise training is also a key part of our work. We have had great success with beekeeping (which provides communities with income) and with beadwork (a solid enterprise for the Masai women). We provide education and expertise, not cash, reflecting the old adage: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. One to three bedrooms & penthouses from $1.4 million in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. 312-242-5980 TheResidencesChicago.com The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Chicago, Magnificent Mile are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. NM Project Company LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under license from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. DEVELOPER NO. 1898487 I am often asked why I focus on Africa, not America. My answer: The world is a small place; we all belong to the family of man- and womankind and to each other—we are one. FOC supports the Masai to help them preserve who they are and where they live, not only for their sake, but also for the sake of each and every one of us. ....... Exclusively marketed by Prudential Rubloff We would love to have everyone join us to celebrate Chicago's 30 years of support at The Conservation Ball at Harold Washington Library on October 12. CNN's Zoraida Sambolin (who has seen our work firsthand) will be our emcee, and longtime supporter and good friend Jim Fowler and I will be giving a Wildlife Presentation, because we want everyone to experience the natural world in person. If a young leopard looks deep into your eyes at The Conservation Ball, you will understand. Tickets range from $250 to $350. Call 630-288-2714 or visit friendssofconservation.org. MA