About Us
The Bonfield Express Foundation
is a fast-growing local charity working to build character and
community commitment in the students of District 99 from Downers
Grove, Darien and Woodridge. The foundation does this by
hosting programs and providing scholarship assistance to high
school seniors,
building future community leaders.
Through the generous support of this important mission by
sponsors and local families, the foundation’s funding has
distributed $83,000 in scholarships and begun hosting
programs to
develop community commitment in which
students volunteered to help
the foundation.
Mission Statement
To recognize personal perseverance and community commitment to
lifelong goals through educational opportunity.
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The Spirit Lives On…
In October of 2003, we lost Jim Bonfield to
complications of Hodgkin’s Disease, Leukemia, and
Rheumatoid Arthritis. His accomplishments in life
were many, as a father, teacher, coach and dean of
students for more than three decades at Downers Grove
South High School. He was an example to the
children he encountered on the playing field and in his
office, always encouraging with positive motivation.
But his influence as a person went far beyond his
professional career.
His students became his friends for life and his
lifetime friends became his fans. He is remembered
for his smile and optimistic nature, for his love of
family, for his appreciation of our community and for
his devotion to wringing every moment of value from
life. Jim danced until his feet could no longer
hold him up. |
History
What is The Bonfield Express? Jim Bonfield was first and
foremost a family man. Whenever son Jimmy was involved in an
activity, Jim tried to be there. The Bonfield ladies were not far
behind. Jim’s wife, Annette, the Grandmas, aunts and nieces
all made quite an impression in the school auditoriums, the stands
at Downers North High School or at track and cross country meets
around the state. One day a coach dubbed the group “The
Bonfield Express” and that became their shorthand moniker.
The
Bonfield Express Foundation is the train the rest of us have jumped
on to memorialize our friend. Over two thousand people came to
Jim’s wake and funeral and the seed money for the Foundation came
from their gifts. The charitable fund was created shortly
after Jim left us as a vehicle to remember him and continue the work
he so valued in life. The Foundation is dedicated to finding
students of good character who have shown persistence in overcoming
life’s obstacles and rewarding them with grants to continue their
education after High School. The first two scholarships were
awarded in May of 2004 and plans continue to expand the program in
perpetuity.
Foundation Committee
The following
individuals voluntarily contribute their time and effort to help the
Bonfield Express Foundation. To learn more about how you can
help build character and community commitment, contact
Diana Karge
at
info@bonfieldexpress.com.
|
Board Members &
Foundation Scholarship Committee |
|
Annette Bonfield |
President |
33 Years - Retired Downers Grove Teacher |
|
Jimmy Bonfield |
Vice President |
Downers Grove North High School Graduate |
|
Stewart Karge |
General Counsel/Treasurer |
29 Years - Downers Grove Resident |
|
Pat O'Flaherty |
Secretary |
Lifelong - Downers Grove Resident & Local Business Owner |
|
Diana Karge |
Dir, Community Relations |
29 Years - Past School Board Member, Local Columnist |
|
Will Kupisch |
Dir, 5K Express |
25 Years - Downers Grove Resident and High School Counselor |
|
The Bonfield
Express Foundation |
The Bonfield
Express Foundation
P.O. Box 773
Downers Grove, IL 60515
The Bonfield
Express Foundation is a non-for profit organization.
All donations are tax deductible.
Make checks payable to: The Bonfield Express Foundation |
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