January, 2026 Newsletter

Endowment Fund Match

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that, thanks to your incredible generosity, we met our $10,000 goal for the Palmer Foundation Endowment Match in 2025! Every dollar donated to the Endowment Fund was matched, maximizing our long-term sustainability. Thank you for your support. We look forward to reaching our match goal again in 2026!

Celebrating 2025

The year 2025 was a challenging one for Hamilton Wings. While we navigated the tremendous hurdle of starting the year without our founding Executive Director, our mission became our guiding light. We are so proud to share the year’s victories: the incredible impact of the Girls in Motion Program, the heartfelt connection at our Donor & Alumni Reception, and the moving success of the SCORE! production, "The Truth of Acceptance."

Our future is bright with the hiring of our new Executive Director, Dr. Brittany Barber, who, alongside our dedicated team, helped launch the next SCORE! session and organized key promotions, including Trunk or Treat, for the 2026 Girls in Motion program.

All of our efforts culminated in our powerful Fundraising Event in Tribute of Dr. Rise' Jones, a testament to the legacy that continues to inspire us. Thank you for making these accomplishments possible!

Upcoming this Month

Dr. Risé Dawn Jones Day

Saturday, January 10th, 2026 is

Dr. Risé Dawn Jones day as proclaimed on December 17th by the city of Elgin.  Share your memories, artistic expressions and joy through our virtual, interactive celebration of the day. Don’t forget to #risejonesday your posts, reels and stories; we can’t wait to see what you create!

Girls in Motion

We are excited to announce that our Girls in Motion program for 3rd and 4th grade girls returns to Washington School on January 15, 2026! This program promotes well-being and expression through art and wellness activities. We are excited to welcome this year’s girls!

A special thank you to Joann Hartmann for her vital support in funding this program and investing in our students.

In the Know

Hamilton Wings hits the airwaves

We loved connecting with the WRMN audience in November! We’re excited to build on that momentum as we become regular guests in 2026, offering listeners an inside look at our latest initiatives and the heart behind Hamilton Wings.

Excited to Work with ColorWord Creative

As we prepare to re-introduce Hamilton Wings to the City of Elgin, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with ColorWord Creative for 2026. This collaboration will focus on strengthening our brand identity, ensuring our visual presence and messaging reflect the growth and vibrancy of our organization.

Your Hamilton Wings' Team

Did you know Hamilton Wings is powered by a dedicated team working year-round to turn our vision into reality? From managing school and community partnerships to launching city-wide initiatives, our team is the heartbeat of our work. We are proud to serve the Elgin community and remain committed to making our mission a reality, one project at a time.

Meet the Team

Our Donor Highlight

We are filled with gratitude for the incredible turnout at our recent Tribute and Fundraiser held at Evangelical Covenant Church. It was a landmark evening for Hamilton Wings, made possible by the generosity of our community. We wish to share a special thank you with Jeorge, CHAR, and Murna; their exceptional performances and contributions were the heartbeat of the event and vital to our fundraising success.

Contributing in 2026

At Hamilton Wings, "community" isn’t just a word, it’s the engine behind our work. Every program we host and every life we touch is made possible by people like you. Help us start 2026 strong by making a gift today. Whether a one-time donation or a monthly commitment, your support ensures our mission continues to thrive throughout this year.

Make a gift today at: www.hamiltonwings.org/donate or click the link below.

Donate