WHO ARE WE

OUR STORY

In 2001, our family was personally touched by an article in a neighborhood newspaper which shed light on several families. Each family had a unique story, however they shared a common thread. They felt invisible and were desperately in need of necessities during the Christmas season. We joined our community, we privately adopted a family and so our story began. In 2014, our hearts were touched again as we expanded our efforts based on a mother’s simple wish for new pajamas.

Between 2001 and 2017 our family privately adopted over 45 families in need . Between 2014 and 2017 we privately donated more than 160 pairs of pajamas to individuals in need.

On February 17, 2017, the LaBranche Family Foundation Inc was officially designated as an IRS sanctioned 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization dedicated to serving those in need. Guided by four impactful pillar programs, we grant provisional wishes, donate the gift of new pajamas, provide annual scholarships/grants and present guidelines for healthy living throughout each year!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world:
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”
Margaret Mead

OUR HISTORY

2017 – Organized as a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization
2017 – Hosted inaugural Masquerade Ball
2017 – Expanded Holiday Organized Pajama Event (HOPE) to include homeless shelters
2017 – Health and Wellness Program conducted inaugural wellness session
2018 – Christmas Wish Program expands to grant wishes THROUGHOUT the year
2018 – Holiday Organized Pajama Event (HOPE) expands to share the gift of new pajamas THROUGHOUT the year
2018 – Education Program awards inaugural scholarships & grants
2018 – 2nd Annual Masquerade Ball
2019 – 3rd Annual Masquerade Ball
2019 – LaBranche Family Awarded “Family Of The Year” by Bolingbrook, IL
2020 – 4th Annual Masquerade Ball
2021 – Awarded the Silver Seal of Transparency by GUIDESTAR
2021 – 5th Annual Masquerade Ball
2022 – 6th Annual Masquerade Ball
2023 – Finalist for 2023 Best of Bolingbrook Business (BOBB) Awards 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
2023 – 7th Annual Masquerade Ball

COMMUNITY IMPACT:

Christmas Wish Program
– more than 1300 individuals in need have been granted provisional wishes!
– upwards of $16,000 in gift cards have been donated to families in need!

Pajama Program
– over 2500 individuals in need have received our gift of new pajamas!

Education Program
– $27,000 has currently been awarded in academic scholarships including grants to local STEM programs for youth in need of financial support!

Health & Wellness Program
– nine (9) free wellness sessions have been hosted, in addition to monthly social media posts to help promote guidelines for healthy living!

Executive Board of Directors