Northstar Lottery Group Spreads Holiday Cheer to Illinois Youth

CHICAGO, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The employees of Northstar Lottery Group, the private manager of the Illinois Lottery came together make the holiday even season brighter for students at the Hope Institute for Children and Families in Springfield today and at Hope Institute Learning Academy in Chicago. Northstar's three offices, located in Bolingbrook, Chicago and Springfield, jointly contributed to the effort. 

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"Each year, our employees work to make the holiday special for children. The gifts we've donated this year ensure the children at both Hope School campuses will have access to items that are not only fun, but are wonderful learning essentials as well," said Marco Tasso, President and CEO of Northstar Lottery Group.

Northstar employees made personal donations to provide communal gifts for 181 students ranging in age from newborns to 21 years old at Springfield's Hope Institute for Children and Families and 394 children from grades K – 5 at Hope Institute Learning Academy in Chicago. These gifts, which will remain at the schools, include iPads, art supplies, puzzles, books and an X-Box Kinect amongst other items.

"We're so grateful Northstar chose our school for this awesome opportunity. I'm sure our students will benefit tremendously from each item gifted," said Julie Baker, director of special events at Hope Institute for Children and Families.

"When the students see these gifts, I'm sure they will be ecstatic," said Mike Jakubowski, Principal of Hope Institute Learning Academy. "It has been a pleasure to work with Northstar this holiday season."

While both Hope School campuses serve some of Illinois' most underprivileged youth, what sets them apart are their distinguished services. The Hope Institute for Children and Families is a safe haven for students with special needs. It offers residential options and leads the development of new methods to educate, treat and care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities. While Hope Institute Learning Academy's student body represents 21 percent of children with special needs, it's vision is to create a demonstration school within the Chicago Public School system that changes the way that children are educated in Chicago – integrating special needs children into traditional classrooms.

Each year, Northstar sponsors a holiday-giving program. Last December, Northstar staff surprised students with individual gifts at McClenard Elementary in Springfield and SOS Children's Villages Illinois located in Lockport. Northstar is committed to leaving a positive footprint by acting responsibly and contributing resources, time and talents to good causes in communities throughout Illinois.

Northstar Lottery Group
Northstar Lottery Group is a consortium of best-in-class companies with more than 50 years combined experience in Illinois. Northstar Group is led by a partnership between GTECH Corporation and Scientific Games Corporation.

Hope Institute for Children and Families
The Hope Center for Residential Services provides residential care to children and youth at either our 26-acre lakeside campus or in one our 12 family-style homes within the surrounding community. Our mission is to help our children live joyful, independent and productive lives. Many of our programs, such as the Community Transition, Vocational Skills Development, Community Integrated Classrooms and Lakeshore Programs are designed to improve basic life and vocational skills while increasing the potential for independence.

Hope Institute Learning Academy
The mission of The Hope Institute Learning Academy is to create a learning environment that supports students to achieve optimally, regardless of socioeconomic background, learning style, or disability. The mission is realized by creating a school that lives up to its vision – helping students to be successful.

Contact: Chanele Newton (312) 368-5814

SOURCE Northstar Lottery Group