Foundation and Local Financial Advisors Host Movie Preview to Promote Philanthropy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2007

Contact: Mike Sitrick, Manager of Development

(630) 665-5556 or msitrick@dcfdn.org

Wheaton, IL—On Thursday, February 22, The DuPage Community Foundation partnered with co-sponsors LVM Capital Management Ltd. (Wheaton), KRM Financial Services (St. Charles), Powershares Capital Management (Wheaton) and TD Ameritrade Institutional (Chicago) to host a special preview of the major motion picture The Ultimate Gift, prior to its national release in March. The preview, hosted at downtown Elmhurst’s historic York Theatre, was attended by more than 200 guests including current and prospective Foundation donors and their families, area professional advisors and their clients, and local community leaders.

“As one of our community’s leading catalysts for philanthropy, the Foundation is always seeking new and unique opportunities to engage people in our mission and help them to discover their own potential for giving back and making a difference,” said Dave McGowan, Foundation president. “The Ultimate Gift is an excellent tool for accomplishing this because it demonstrates the power and significance of philanthropy in such a way that people of all ages, interests and backgrounds can connect with and relate to it.”

Based on the internationally-acclaimed novel written by Jim Stovall, The Ultimate Gift delivers a heart-warming story that not only entertains, but carries with it some powerful lessons for parents, grandparents and children regarding the important role philanthropy plays in today’s world and our own personal lives. The film features a talented cast including Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Bill Cobbs, Brian Dennehy, Drew Fuller, James Garner and Lee Meriwether, and opens nationally March 9 in select cities. It is currently scheduled to run at numerous locations throughout the Chicago area. Please check your local listings for additional information and show times or visit www.theultimategift.com.

Established in 1986, The DuPage Community Foundation is a publicly-supported 501 (c) (3) organization to which contributions are tax deductible. The Foundation was created to benefit the people of DuPage County and receives contributions and bequests into a permanent endowment from individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations wishing to make lasting contributions to the people of DuPage. The earnings on these funds are then used, in accordance with donor wishes, for the Foundation’s grantmaking and community leadership activities.

The DuPage Community Foundation seeks to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County by developing and channeling philanthropy to meet the needs of its residents. Based on the American virtues of volunteerism and philanthropy, the Foundation fosters a legacy of support for the people of DuPage County by making grants to not-for-profit organizations working in the arts and culture, education, environmental affairs, health, and human services.

For further information about the Foundation or to arrange future media opportunities, please contact Michael Sitrick, manager of development, at (630) 665-5556 or msitrick@dcfdn.org.

Film Synopsis:

Jason (Drew Fuller) had a simple relationship with his wealthy grandfather, Howard “Red” Stevens (James Garner). Nonexistent. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold, hard cash. So he figured that when Red died, the “reading of the will” would be just another simple cash transaction. He assumed that his grandfather’s money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Instead, Red devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, twelve “gifts,” each challenging Jason in an improbable, impossible way…and changing him forever.

Quotes from Attendees:

“We thoroughly enjoyed the screening and were grateful to be able to bring two friends. All four of us will absolutely recommend the film to our family and friends, and we hope its release next moth will be a huge success!”

“The movie was excellent and the event very well-done. Afterwards, it generated a very good discussion about philanthropy. We are all planning to read the book.”

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