Starved Rock Foundation Announces $16,288 Donation from 2026 Calendar Fundraiser
- Starved Rock Foundation
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
Local photographers, businesses, supporters, and Miller Group Charitable Trust helped turn park photography into meaningful support for Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.
OGLESBY, IL -- The Starved Rock Foundation announced a $16,288.50 donation from the 2026 Starved Rock and Matthiessen calendar fundraiser during a donation ceremony held Sunday, May 3 at the Starved Rock Visitor Center.
The annual calendar has grown into a community-driven fundraiser featuring photography from local photographers and scenes from Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Proceeds from calendar sales support the Starved Rock Foundation and its ongoing work to give back to the parks.
“What started as a small calendar project has become something much bigger because of the people who believe in these parks,” said Matthew Klein, President of the Starved Rock Foundation. “To see this grow from a $2,600 donation in the early years to $16,000 today is really special. That is real money that can make a real impact.”
The 2026 total was made possible through calendar sales, support from local businesses that carried the calendar, and a dollar-for-dollar match from Miller Group Charitable Trust.
“The parks are some of our area’s greatest assets,” said Joyce McCullough, representing Miller Group Charitable Trust. “We thought the calendar was a creative way to promote their beauty and generate funding for their upkeep. We were happy to offer the match and hope future calendar sales are just as successful.”
The fundraiser also would not have been possible without the participating retail partners who sold the calendars on behalf of the Foundation at no markup, ensuring that every sale could directly support the parks.
Participating retail partners included:
Bruce & Ollies at The Bickerman Building – Utica, IL
Core Café – Spring Valley, IL
LeRocher Bookstore and Gift Shop (Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center) – Oglesby, IL
Lock 16 Café and Visitor Center – LaSalle, IL
Prairie Fox Books – Ottawa, IL
Starved Rock Country Welcome Center – Utica, IL
Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center – Oglesby, IL
The Rock and Soul – Utica, IL
Online via Starved Rock Hikers
The ceremony also recognized the photographers whose work was featured in the calendar. Each photo helps tell the story of the parks through the eyes of those who visit, hike, explore, and care deeply about these places.
For featured photographer Makade Rios, having his photo selected was especially meaningful.
“It was really exciting,” Rios said. “It was nice to be told that a photo of mine could help bring money back toward the park. Obviously, I love the parks. During the summer, I’ll come out almost daily and just walk, so it’s really nice to be able to contribute back.”
Photographer Chet Phillips of La Salle, whose image of the bridge at Matthiessen Lake was included in the calendar, said the project is a great reminder of how much there is to explore locally.
“Starved Rock Country is amazing,” Phillips said. “Grab a camera and explore.”
The Starved Rock Foundation is now accepting photo submissions for the 2027 Starved Rock and Matthiessen calendar. Local photographers and park visitors are encouraged to submit their favorite images of Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park for consideration.
Submissions for the 2027 calendar are open through July 31, 2026, and should be nature-focused (no people or pets please). Images that present historical significance will also be considered. Images must have been taken at Starved Rock or Matthiessen State Park.
About the Starved Rock Foundation: The Starved Rock Historical and Educational Foundation is the nonprofit organization for Starved Rock State Park located in North Central Illinois. The Foundation includes a volunteer program which staffs the Visitor Center information desk and leads interpretive hikes, provides educational materials, and conducts special events and presentations. It also raises monies for appropriate materials, equipment, and the improvement of Starved Rock State Park through memberships, donations, and profit from the 100% volunteer-run LeRocher Book Store and Gift Shop in the Visitor Center. Over $500,000 has been donated over the past 30+ years by an elected board of directors. Learn more about the Foundation, becoming a volunteer, or donating at www.starvedrock.org
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