On Sunday October 12th, 2025, I will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with Team Special Olympics Illinois!

Has participated in Special Olympics since 2010, playing basketball, floor hockey, softball, flag, football, tennis, golf. He also skis, does snowshoeing, wrestling, gymnastics, bocce, archery, soccer, track, and field (has been a participate in the pentathlon for 9 years). He also participates and volunteers at the polar plunge with one of his sisters. And at the Big Ten K race in 2017, he sang the national anthem prior to the run! I met Connor in the summer of 2012, at Camp Hope of Illinois. It was both of our first years at camp and we were paired together as buddies! 

Sponsored by Madeline Baker & Mike Connolly & John Dwyer & Rudy and Trish Dell

Has been participating in Special Olympics for 15 years. Some of the events he participated in are powerlifting, floor hockey, bowling, volleyball, skiing, snowshoeing, track an field, bocce ball, and basketball. Aidan loves competing because “I love all kinds of sports and the people, they are all my friends!” Aidan is one of the biggest competitors I know, but has an even bigger heart. Don’t challenge Aidan to a push up competition unless you are willing to come in 2nd place! 

Sponsored by the Fallon Family & Amy & Dean Tsarwhas & The Dwyer Family

Has participated in many Special Olympics sports! Equestrian, basketball, swimming, bocce, volleyball, and bowling! Rose and I met just a few years ago during her first year at Camp Hope. Something I admire most about Rose is her ability to care for her friends. She is always making sure her friends and peers are having a good day or a good time at each activity. She puts others before herself!

Sponsored by Jake Stern & The Dwyer Family & Jonathan and Lucia Harper & Janice and George Yingst

Started playing basketball for Special Olympics in 2015, and swimming in 2018! Abby is currently getting ready for the district swim meets in March, as she is hoping to qualify for State in June! We met at Camp Hope in 2023, and it was amazing to see what a great listener Abby is. She is always attentive and such a great friend to those around her!

Sponsored by Connor Rubin & The Dwyer Family & Fred Chamberlain

Katie and I met at Camp Hope in the summer of 2012! I loved her bright personality and her amazing dance moves. She truly is a great friend to the ones around her, having great meaningful conversation. Not only would she dance at the Talent Show, but she also would do sign language at the end of her performance with the same song. Katie is also one of the biggest Pittsburgh Penguin fans I know! She currently attends Our Place!

Sponsored by Charlie and Laurie Rule & The Dwyer Family & Fred Chamberlain

Matthew and I were paired up as buddies at Camp Hope in 2013, Matthew's first year at Camp Hope! This photo was from our first week together. His favorite activity is the talent show, where he shows off his dancing skills. He attends Independence Park and trains for Special Olympics. He is currently playing basketball and skiing. He is also on the Special Olympics Athletic Leadership Council!

Sponsored by the Danaher Family & Conrad & Mary Beth Theodore & The Dywer Family & The Sweeney Family

Chris and I met during his second year at Camp Hope, in 2012. The only year Chris has missed camp was when he was in the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles! "Camp Hope is the highlight of my summer. I have made so many new friends over the years, both with campers and counselors." In his free time, Chris enjoys his job at St. Mary of the Woods School, where is is apart of the administrative staff. He also enjoys working out with weights and cardio at LA Fitness with his dad!

Sponsored by Bob Neuzil & Paul Litzinger & The Dwyer Family & The Nichol Family

Lindsay has been a rockstar at Camp Hope for the past 15 years. She loves everything about camp, but her favorite is the friendships and the people that she has met along the way. She loves to sing and dance, and spend time with her boyfriend Chris. Currently she is in the ensemble for the play Suessical the musical and she is a squad captain assisting with other actors. She also works at the United Center for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, and concerts! 

Sponsored by Paul and Michelle Raemont & Gretchen Hoffer-Farb & The Dwyer Family 

Adam and I became close friends during my second summer at Camp Hope in 2013. Adam has one of the best laughs and smiles in the world. One of his favorite shows is "The Price is Right" and during the Camp Hope Talent Show, Adam puts on his own "The Price is Right" show with 3 contestants at camp. You can find Adam enjoying himself in the pool with his blue Chicago Cubs hat on!

Sponsored by Wayne and Melinda Huerth & The Dwyer Family & Jen Vestergaard & The Maginot Family

Matthew came to Camp Hope at the age of 13, and he left as his dad would call him "The Mayor of Camp Hope! Everyone called out to Matt and he was beaming from ear to ear." At Camp Hope Matt feels that everyone is a friend, where you don't get into trouble for wanting to give a hug, where everyone is free with their high fives, and not afraid to talk and share stories. Matthew currently attends programming at Our Place, with the activities ranging from basketball, bowling, to having lunch out with friends. He plays a lot of Special Olympics sports as well, cornhole, basketball, tennis, softball, and volleyball!

Sponsored by Jeanine & Frank Ruffolo & The Dwyer Family & Jen Vestergaard & The Maginot Family

Will and I both grew up in the same town, but our friendship started to really develop at Camp Hope. He found such joy and independence their. Will is a non speaking young man, but communicates so well via his letterboard. He expressed his love for Camp Hope and the people who run it. Will is now a full time attendant at Matthias Academy, a day program in Wisconsin. He also moved in with 3 other men who attend Matthias! Lastly, please enjoy this amazing 4 minute video of Will's graduation letter honoring his teacher!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hTtzSr4cGE

Sponsored by John Tsarwhas & Megan Brooks & The Dwyer Family & Jen Vestergaard & The Maginot Family

Julia loves to eat s'mores and singing camp songs around the campfire! For the last 5 years she has ben working at Bark n Park, a nearby kennel. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Emma in her coach house. Julia has lived independently for almost 4 years, planning her own means, grocery shops, and doing laundry. She enjoys baking and cooking at home too! 

Sponsored by Angela Senese, Katherine Senese, and Alyssa Villardita & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family

 Alex and I met at Camp Hope after his sister Julia was already attending. He loves seeing all of his friends at camp. Alex was so excited to see the new basketball hoops this year! Dinnertime is Alex's favorite time at Camp Hope. He enjoys hiking, running, and climbing. He is a Boy Scout and now recently has been added as an adult in the troop! He also loves going to Door County and on summer vacations with his family. 

Sponsored by Connor Rubin and The DiOrio Family & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family & Kyra Kirsh

Connor and I were paired up as buddies during the summer of 2014. Connor found great amusment from normal day-to-day acts of sayings. "Hello!" "Goodbye!" "Bless You!" "Thank you!" Connor's favorite part of Camp Hope was swimming. One of his favorite meals outside of camp was bread dipped in Portillo's italian beef Au Jus! Connor passed away in June of 2020, we miss him dearly. 

Sponsored by Joe and Justine Santello & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family 

Matt and I met at Camp Hope in 2012, but became very close friends in 2014 when I was paired up with his triplet brother Connor. Matt is one of the best friends to have, always making sure that everyone is having a great day. He is also very mature for his age, and loves having deep meaningful conversations with his friends about life. One of my favorite things about Matt, is his talent show act at Camp Hope every year, was telling jokes, not to only make the audience laugh, but specifically his brother Connor!

Sponsored by Jake Stern & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family & Ronnie and Tina Thomas 

Nick loved his summers at Camp Hope, making lasting friendships in a supportive environment. It taught him self-appreciation and fostered warm camaraderie that lingered long after summer ended. He is known at Camp Hope for leading the famous Tarzan song! Nick moved out of his family home and to The Arc Village in October of 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. Nick's sister says his life is "like living at Camp Hope every day." He is exploring the local life and enjoying new found independence. He also completed a two-year hospitality certificate at UCF, and after graduating gained experience in guest services at the Orlando Regional Medical Center!

Sponsored by Lorraine Freedman & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family

The biggest Cubs fan I know, my good friend Ryan O'Toole! Ryan went to Camp Hope for 16 summers. Some of his favorite activities included swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, the Monday night dance, and telling jokes at the talent show! Lately, he has been keeping busy with park district activities: swimming, Out and About, Restaurant Hoppers, art class and dances. He also takes family vacations to Cubs Spring Training in Arizona. Bear Down and Hey Chicago what do you say? The Cubs are going to win today!

Sponsored by the Perino Family and Brady, Paige, and Owen Andersen & The Dwyer Family & The Maginot Family

Ryan participated at Camp Hope for 15 years! He loved all of the activities at camp, especially the talent show. He also liked all the camp counselors and budides that were assigned to him. Currently he works at Notre Dame College Prep two days a week and Gower Elementary School three days a week. Ryan enjoys earning his own money and just received his first debit card. He also loves exercising, and qualified for Special Olympics powerlifting! 

Sponsored by The Burke Family & Jen Vestergaard & The Maginot Family & Dana Lukasik and Auggie DeLisa 

Bill and I met during his first year of Camp Hope in 2019. He loves playing football and basketball, singing at the talent show, and hanging out by the lake. In his free time, Bill loves going to Lake Forest Beach, go thrifting, and watching sports. Currently, Bill is attending Matthias Academy, a day program in Bristol, Wisconsin! 

Sponsored by Jake Elbe & Jen Vestergaard & The Maginot Family

Spencer loves hanging with friends and meeting new people at Camp Hope! They love reconnecting with their friends over the calendar year, especially the Halloween Party. Spencer and his twin brother Quinn are involved in several different organizations to keep them busy during the day! One being Our Place of New Trier, where they participate in community outings, yoga, pound fit, and art!

Sponsored by John Tsarwhas and Megan Brooks & The Dwyer Family

Quinn loves music time and singing during his week at Camp Hope! Another organization that Quinn and Spencer attending is Total Link to Community, where they offer different weekly classes. Right now, on Monday's they go to Game time Grub, and watch football at Buffalo Wild Wings!

Sponsored by Gretchen Hoffer-Farb & Jen Vestergaard

Emerson loves everything about Camp Hope, the games, singing, McDonald's on Friday, but most of all she loves being with all of her friends! In Emersons free time, she does bocce, basketball, and track for Special Olympics! She loves Scout Buddies at LFHS and attending the Scout football games. She is currently working as a TA for Pre-K at Lake Bluff Elementary and about to start volunteering at LF's Everett School in perparation to gain the experience she needs to work in the education field and land her dream job as an employee at LFHS!

Sponsored by Cobey Bartlett & Colin Danly & The Dwyer Family 

Matthew Rubin is a Lake Forest and Camp Hope legend! Matthew was one of the first and longest attending campers at Camp Hope. He looked forward to attending all year long and figuring out his act for the talent show. He enjoyed the other campers, but truly loved whoever his buddy was and the one-on-one time spent with them. He currently attends Our Place online every afternoon. He spends most of his time down in Marco Island, Florida, his favorite place to be! He loves walking on the beach, the hot tub, and the independence he has there. What means more than anything to Matthew to him is his family, dog Benji, and his birthday! Every summer is a command performance for all the cousins, aunts, and uncles to attend!

Sponsored by Teddy Freedman & Lauren and Jake Terrazas

I've known Margo ever since I was a young boy playing in the Margo 3 on 3 basketball tournament! We met around 2002-2003! In our later years, we were able to hang out a lot at Camp Hope. It is a very special place in Margo's heart. She loved reconnecting with friends during her week. Her favorite activity was the talent show. She was excited about singing, dancing, and silly kits, but most excited to see her past teachers and friends in the audience! Currently, Margot attends Center For Enriched Living, and participates in several social groups, evening dances, and swinging on her swing!

Sponsored by The Moreland Family & Ann Mathee & Colleen Vedra

Caitlin was a Camp Hope all-star 4 years before I got involved, and boy does she spread the spirit of camp. "Because of Camp Hope, I know what it means to love unconditionally and to be loved in that same way. The family I gained from all the summers I spent at camp has supported me through some of my highest highs and lowest lows-everything from my high school graduation, my time at U of I, and most recently, my dad's battle with cancer. In 2020, I saw camp from a different perspective, and it will forever be this magical place on earth." Caitlin is currently working as a full-time as a therapist after graduating with my master's degree in social work!

Sponsored by Paige Kohut & Max Thauer & Judy Ballantini & Dominic and Tina Senese

We met at CROYA, our community youth group in Lake Forest, in 2011. I was a sophomore in high school while Matt was an 8th grader. We became close friends, hanging out after school almost every day. Matt and I have also been attending Camp Hope during the summer together since 2013. We continue to hang out throughout the year, attending White Sox games, going to dinner at our favorite local bar Chief's Pub, and even shopping at garage sales. We also have been sending out Christmas cards together for the past 7 years. Some of our favorite outfits we have dressed up as are Buddy the Elf and the pizza delivery guy from Home Alone. 

I consider Matthew one of my best friends, and it is an honor to dedicate the last 1.2 miles of my marathon to him!

Sponsored by Joe and Justine Santello & Gretchen Hoffer-Farb & Mike Connolly & Rudy and Trish Dell