Screen-Free Summer Fun & Day Camp

Summer 2026 Updates
ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER FUN?
THE LOVEY PROJECT IS!
SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER CAMP (6/29-7/1)
If you're still looking for a unique 3-day summer experience, join us for our "SCREEN-FREE SUMMER" Day Camp. Lovey's camp lets your kids lead the way with their creativity - from designing their own mini golf hole to their own TikTok-style dance to LEGO creations they take home - this is a camp they'll never forget!
If you're still looking for a unique 3-day summer experience for your grade schoolers, join us for our "SCREEN-FREE SUMMER" Day Camp. Lovey's camp lets your kids lead the way with their creativity - from designing their own mini golf hole to their own TikTok-style dance to LEGO creations they take home - this is a camp they'll never forget - and neither will you!
Our Camp Counselors include:
🪢 The Jump Rope Warrior
🏀 a PRO Basketball Player
⚾️ a College Baseball Player
🧘 a "YOGA 4 Kids" Instructor
🧱 LEGO experts
🎩 a Magician
🎨 Chalk art muralists
🎤 Our own TikTok Dancers
🧸 Finley Lovington Bear + his Stuffed Animal BFF crew

Register here and bring a friend!
REGISTER FOR "SCREEN FREE SUMMER CAMP" HERE!
CONGRATULATIONS TO 7TH GRADER, AVION MAKARAS
Avion (+family) won the "Name Our New Mascot" Contest! 
Check out Avion and his sister, Skye's favorite Loveys. Avion won a "Screen Free Summer Fun" package! You can meet Finley Lovington Bear and join us with more screen free ideas at our upcoming Summer Camp!
SIGN-UP LINK FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS
The Lovey Project has volunteer opportunities all summer - from camp counselor to decoration prep and more! See our link for more details
THE LOVEY PROJECT HAD A GREAT SPRING!
HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS
THANK YOU to Benet Academy students: Jack, Henry, John, Ava & Reese for joining The Lovey Project during our Barnes + Noble Bookfair. They each read a picture book to our cameras as our launch of "Lovey Reads!" for all to enjoy the magic of reading together. We will be posting their stories and many others on our Instagram feed this year.
THANK YOU to Benet Academy students: Jospeh, James + Ariston and Hinsdale Central students: Meena, Elena + Catherine for joining The Lovey Project for our 2nd annual sponsorship of Hinsdale Community House's "Color Walk" for Mental Health. We are thrilled to be a silver sponsor and to give out over 200 Beanie Babies and tons of other "LOVEY CARES" kits and goodies to participants - it was a great day for all!
The Lovey Project's first Adult Event "The UNPLUG Social" was a huge success! Thank you to our speakers, Shannon, Bob + Jimmy for a great presentation on how to unplug for the whole family. And thank you to our volunteers and our vendors for making the "social" part of the event a great time, as well. For more information or to schedule a Lovey Adult event, email us at: jen@theloveyproject.org. For discounts on the books we referenced, see the link below - copies are still available to order.
You can still order UNPLUG Books here!
FACE YOUR FEARS 2

The Lovey Project’s signature fundraiser is no typical hotel ballroom gala. This is Victorian Gothic mischief with purpose.

Friday, October 30th (6:30pm)
at the KLM Lodge in Hinsdale

A night of beautiful darkness, built to fund brighter futures for kids.
FYF2 "A Gothic Gala in the Court of Curse'd Shadows: Tickets + Sponsorships
CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE

Halfway to Halloween – 2026 Face Your Fears Halloween Gala

April 2026 Updates
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
IT'S HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN !!
THE LOVEY PROJECT HAS SPOOK-TACULAR NEWS + DASTARDLY DISCOUNTS TO SHARE

The Lovey Project Presents:
"Halfway to Halloween"
THE OPEN HOUSE

**JOIN US IN PERSON OR ONLINE**

Thursday, April 30th (7-9p)
Salt Creek Club
830 N. Madison, Hinsdale

WITH A NEW THEME, NEW SPONSORSHIPS + NEW LOCATION - THIS YEAR'S BALL PROMISES TO BE BIGGER, DARKER, FUNNIER AND MORE MEANINGFUL THAN EVER!

Purchase tickets, VIP Packages or Sponsorships this week ONLY for 10% off - Click the Link and use Promo Code:  
GHOST HOST 10 
BUY "FYF2" TICKETS HERE (10% OFF thru 5/2 ONLY!)
Click the image for a sneak peek video of the
"GOTHIC GALA in the COURT OF CURSE'D SHADOWS"
"FYF2" HALLOWEEN BALL + FUNDRAISER

This is not a hotel ballroom.
This is not a typical gala.

This is Victorian Gothic mischief with purpose.

A night of beautiful darkness, built to fund brighter futures for kids.
"FYF2" SPONSORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
FOLLOW US!

Find The Lovey Project on Instagram and Facebook for early teasers, updates on sponsorships, costume suggestions, cocktail recipes, haunt recommendations and much more! Look for the tag:
#FYF2GALA
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION

Spring Events & Community News

March 2026 Updates
HAPPY BLOSSOMS! HAPPY SPRING! HAPPY EVERY LITTLE THING!
Join us for our first Adult "Cocktails + Connections" event on Wed, April 15th (6:30p-9p) at Salt Creek Club, Hinsdale 
Register for "UNPLUG" + Pre-Order Books

EVENT TIMELINE

6:30p Shop, Socialize, Snack + Sip 

7:30p “UNPLUG” presentation with guest speakers: Robert Agnoli, Licensed Clinical Social Worker + Shannon Arendt, Hinsdale Library Youth Svcs

8:30p Q&A, Raffle Winner, dessert, finalize shopping + book orders

Post-event: Leave with tote of “UNPLUG” Toolkit supplies + presentation materials
NAME OUR MASCOT
  CONTEST OPEN NOW! 
Our "huggably-huge" mascot needs a name! Give us your best ideas. (deadline 5/1). Winner will be announced at our Barnes & Noble Book Fair on Wednesday, May 13th. Winner receives a customized "Lovey Cares Kit,"  and will be featured on our website & socials.
"NAME OUR MASCOT" ENTRY FORM
"FYF2" UPDATES!
The Lovey Project's 2nd annual Ultimate Halloween Fundraiser Ball has a venue, a theme, spook-tacular sponsor opportunities + much more! 
Join us on Thursday, April 30th for our "Halfway to Halloween" Open House at Salt Creek Club, Hinsdale (7-9pm) for Gore-y Gothic Raffle Prizes,  early bird tickets, our "Velvet Vampire" Cocktail reveal + to prepare for the Gala of Your (Undead) Life!
THE LOVEY PROJECT LOVES
 HIWS' "TABLESCAPES"

The Lovey Project was thrilled to be an underwriting sponsor of "Tablescapes," the premiere event for Hinsdale's chapter of the Infant Welfare Society. Organizations like @HinsdaleIWS and The Lovey Project share a common purpose. Supporting our community in meaningful ways and showing up for families where it matters most. Congrats to HIWS for raising a record-breaking amount to fund critical healthcare services for families in need through IWS Family Health and the Angel Harvey Family Health Center.
VOLUNTEER INTEREST LINK
The Lovey Project has something for everyone!
We are excited to present our Spring/Summer programs for adults, families and children. See the updated calendar of events below and visit our website & socials to learn more, register for programs + events and donate!

Upcoming Spring & Summer News & Events

February 2026 Updates
PARTIES + PROGRAMS + PRIZES
JOIN US FOR ALL THE FUN THIS SPRING!
The Lovey Project has something for everyone!
We are thrilled to present our Spring/Summer programs for adults, families and children, as well as partnerships and a contest to name our new Teddy Bear mascot. Check out our calendar and sign up here for all of it!
"NAME OUR MASCOT" CONTEST OPEN NOW!
Our lovable new Mascot needs a better name than big Ted, so give us your best idea (deadline 5/1). Winner will be announced at our Barnes & Noble Book Fair on Wednesday, May 13th. Winner receives a customized "Lovey Cares Kit,"  mini-big Ted & features on our website & socials.
"NAME OUR MASCOT" ENTRY FORM
INTRODUCING
"LOVEY CARES KITS" 
The Lovey Project knows that sometimes we need more support at any age, so we are beginning to offer "Lovey Cares Kits" individualized for age, theme and specific needs (anxiety, grief, illness, life changes and more) - This kit was donated to Hephzibah Home's March 6th "Heart of Gold" Fundraiser Ball's silent auction. More information on how to request a kit or help build kits with monetary or wish list donations in our March newsletter.
SPRING & SUMMER EVENTS - REQUEST YOUR REGISTRATION FORMS HERE!
VOLUNTEER INTEREST LINK
EXCITING UPDATES ON
THE LOVEY PROJECT WEBSITE!
Updated Now: Check out "The Latest" tab for all of our newsletters, press clippings, Impact Reports and more.
COMING SOON: Programs & Events tab, updated Mission Resources, interactive calendar, new ways to help and more - all launching by July 1st.
CHECK OUT "THE LATEST" TAB ON OUR WEBSITE
SAVE THE DATE:
The Lovey Project's 
2nd Annual
"FACE YOUR FEARS"
Halloween Fundraiser:
Friday, Oct. 30th, 2026
Join us for our "Halfway to Halloween" Open House on April 30th at Salt Creek Club to learn the Location, Theme, Raffle Prizes & More!

New Year, New News from The Lovey Project

January 2026 Updates
BIG DREAMS, BIG GOALS, BIG NEWS! 
HAPPY 2026 FROM THE LOVEY PROJECT
The Lovey Project is thrilled to share our 2025 Impact Report

Click the link to see just how much of an IMPACT you made this year - helping us reach our goals, funding all of our 2026 programming and aiding our mission to save for a Lovey Project building by 2030.

What we do with our heart affects the whole universe
Lovey Project 2025 Impact Report
Introducing our new tagline:
 
BUILT EARLY.
CARRIED FOR LIFE.

This tagline honors our foundational core of emotional support from beloved stuffed animals and embraces our mission to teach and encourage mental wellness practices that last for a lifetime.
Follow us for new content on INSTAGRAM
VOLUNTEER! DONATE! HOST! SPONSOR! Reach out for all the ways that YOU can support The Lovey Project!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
2026 EVENTS BY MONTH:
  • March: "Boot Camp" event for Adults
  • April: Book Fair (Barnes & Noble)
  • May: Halfway 2 Halloween Donor Party
  • June/July - "Training Wheels" kids camps
  • August - Lovey Stories Portrait Sessions
  • September - Book Clubs for Kids
  • October - Face Your Fears Ball 
  • November - Lovey & Book Drive
*More details to follow soon
SAVE THE DATE:
The Lovey Project's 
2nd Annual
"FACE YOUR FEARS"
Halloween Fundraiser:
Friday, Oct. 30th, 2026

The picture is a hint for our new location - stay tuned for the big reveal COMING SOON!

What's Next?

We are updating our website and socials with all of this information, including a 2026 calendar of events, registration forms and new resources for parents and children of all ages. Check in often to see updates on our programming options!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION - VISIT THE WEBSITE

The Lovey Project – 2025 Impact Report

The Lovey Project 2025:
Building Emotional Wellness Through Community, Creativity, and Courage

The Lovey Project had a transformative 2025, raising $101,556 to support mental wellness programming for children ages 3-13 through creative, tactile, and community-based initiatives. The organization distributed over 1,000 Loveys, books, and wellness resources to children locally, nationally, and internationally, while launching signature events like the inaugural Face Your Fears Ball that brought together 100+ community members on Halloween. Through partnerships with organizations like Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, DuPage PADS, and Hephzibah Home, and grassroots fundraisers like the Synaptyx Turkey Bowl and family-led donation drives, The Lovey Project expanded its volunteer and donor network by over 40% while funding key 2026 initiatives including a Lost & Found digital resource center, "Training Wheels for Your Brain" boot camps, and early-stage plans for a dedicated Lovey Building—all driven by the belief that when emotional support becomes as normal as snack time, children can navigate our technology-based world with confidence, resilience, and self-care.

Connect

  • TheLoveyProject.org
  • The Lovey Project’s mission is mental wellness. We work with children ages 3-13, along with their families and communities.

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Get Involved

TheLoveyProject.org
The Lovey Project needs your help to reach our goals! Join us as we try to make this world a safer, softer, more loving place for as many children as possible
– one Lovey at a time.

Connect

  • TheLoveyProject.org
  • The Lovey Project’s mission is mental wellness. We work with children ages 3-13, along with their families and communities.
The Lovey Project is a 501(C)3 non-profit charity registered in the State of Illinois (Tax ID 47-4803025).
As such, donations to The Lovey Project may be tax-deductible.
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