$15,000 GIFT PRESENTED TO STARVED ROCK FOUNDATION FOLLOWING RECORD CALENDAR FUNDRAISER

Matching donation helps turn community calendar sales into the Foundation’s largest calendar contribution to date

7 JUNE 2025 -- UTICA, IL -- The Starved Rock Foundation today received $15,000 in proceeds from the 2025 Starved Rock & Matthiessen Calendar fundraiser, thanks to a record-breaking year of community support and a generous matching gift from the Miller Group Charitable Trust.

Foundation board members, contributing photographers, regional retail partners, and local supporters gathered at the Starved Rock Visitor Center for a formal check presentation celebrating the campaign’s success.

This year, the Foundation reached its ambitious goal of selling 500 calendars—ultimately selling 511—driven by strong community response and a dollar-for-dollar match from the Miller Group Charitable Trust, up to $7,500. The match helped double the impact of every calendar purchased, resulting in the Foundation’s largest calendar fundraiser contribution to date.

“This fundraiser truly reflects the spirit of this community and its love for these parks,” said Pam Grivetti, Foundation President. “From visitors submitting photographs, to small businesses and volunteers helping distribute the calendars, to the incredible match from the Miller Group Charitable Trust—this was a collective effort that will directly support our parks’ preservation and education efforts.”

The 2025 calendar was built entirely from the community: more than 450 photographs were submitted by visitors and local photographers, and the final calendar featured a curated selection highlighting the parks’ year-round beauty and key events. The 11x14 wall calendar was professionally and sustainably printed on archival-quality, forest steward-certified paper, designed to be both functional and collectible.

A vital part of the project’s success was the network of 11 regional partners and retail outlets that hosted calendar sales. This is a true community-driven fundraiser—100% of the proceeds go directly to supporting Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. All participating retailers and partners generously donate their time and efforts, ensuring that every dollar raised benefits the parks. Participating retail partners included:

• LeRocher Bookstore and Gift Shop by the Starved Rock Foundation

• Starved Rock Lodge Gift Shop

• Bruce & Ollies at The Bickerman Building

• Starved Rock Country Welcome Center by Heritage Corridor Destinations

• Prairie Fox Books

• Heritage Harbor

• Verucchi's Ristorante

• Lock 16 Cafe and Visitor Center

• CatsEye

• A Mess of Things

• Online via Starved Rock Hikers

“This gift will allow us to further our mission and continue supporting the parks we all love,” said Matthew Klein, Foundation Vice President and calendar creator. “We are deeply grateful to every person and partner who helped make this fundraiser such a success. Together, we are helping ensure that Starved Rock and Matthiessen remain protected and welcoming for generations to come.”

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Starved Rock & Matthiessen Calendar. Park visitors and photographers are invited to submit their favorite images by visiting www.starvedrock.org/calendar-submission. The 2026 calendar is expected to be released in October 2025.

About the Starved Rock Foundation: Founded in 1991, the Starved Rock Historical and Educational Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of Starved Rock State Park. In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Foundation supports the park through conservation, education, and recreation initiatives. Its volunteers lead interpretive hikes, serve as visitor center docents, organize trail cleanups, and coordinate seasonal events. The Foundation funds park improvements through memberships, donations, and proceeds from the volunteer-operated LeRocher Bookstore and Gift Shop. Over the past 30 years, the organization has contributed more than $460,000 toward enhancing the park’s programs, facilities, and natural beauty.

Media Contact:

Matthew Klein

Vice President, Starved Rock Foundation

starvedrockfoundation@gmail.com