George Pandaleon on Lake Forest's New Community Fund & Local Issues | Lake Forest Podcast

🎙️ Join former Mayor George Pandaleon (2019–2023) on The Lake Forest Podcast as he reveals the launch of the Community Fund of Lake Forest, a permanent endowment built to provide long-term, consistent support to local nonprofits serving real needs in our community.

🎧 Hosted by Pete Jansons, Joe Weiss, and Jeff Urso

✅ Learn how the Community Fund, managed in partnership with the Lake County Community Foundation, streamlines charitable giving and guarantees support to vetted nonprofits in Lake Forest
✅ Hear how the fund empowers groups like Paws for Patrick, Mothers Trust, Beef for Hunger, and Fill a Heart for Kids
✅ George Pandaleon explains how donors—from $5 to $50,000+—can contribute, including estate planning and legacy giving
✅ Explore the need for reliable nonprofit funding beyond gala-to-gala fundraising and how the fund supports social services and mental health
✅ Understand the fund’s origin, governance, low-cost management model, and vision for future grants
✅ Dive into local topics like the new police station project, the 1% grocery tax debate, and how Lake Forest Day could evolve to serve more charities
✅ Hear community insight from Duffers’ Jeff Urso on running local business, charity rib cook-offs, and student engagement
✅ Plus: updates on downtown Lake Forest vibrancy, art gallery vs. hospitality trends, the Elawa Farm Café, and Lake Forest College sports

✅ Key Moments:
✅ 0:00 Guest Former Mayor of Lake Forest George Pandaleon
✅ 3:35 Introduction
✅ 6:35 Objective of https://lakecountycf.org/community-fu...
✅ 11:58 How can people get access to these funds?
✅ 12:20 Mental Health Aspect – Paws for Patrick https://www.pawsforpatrick.org/
✅ 12:42 Mothers Trust https://motherstrustfoundation.org/
✅ 12:47 Beef for Hunger https://www.beef4hunger.org/
✅ 15:29 "50 for 50" Donation Option
✅ 17:13 Former Residents in Florida Needing Charity Insight
✅ 19:53 CROYA was created in the 1980s to combat teen suicide
✅ 23:55 Should Lake Forest Day support more charities than just the American Legion?
✅ 28:14 Learn how to donate https://lakecountycf.org/community-fu...
✅ 30:12 Grocery Tax 1% Discussion
✅ 31:38 Should the budget surplus eliminate the 1% tax?
✅ 34:49 New Police Station Clip • 🎙️ Inside Lake Forest: Unveiling Our ...
✅ 37:03 Developer Approached George Late in His Term
✅ 38:26 No Space for Police Social Worker
✅ 41:30 Are We Filling Up Downtown Storefronts?
✅ 42:40 TIF Incentive Issues?
✅ 44:15 Current Lake Forest Vibe
✅ 46:10 Post Office Property Insights
✅ 49:35 Artificial Turf Revenue: Where’s the Money?
✅ 51:35 Final Thoughts from George
✅ 52:10 Dogs at the Beach
✅ 54:03 Elawa Café
✅ 55:00 Graduation Buzz
✅ 56:00 Lake Forest College Football & Hockey
✅ 57:45 Duffers Update
✅ 58:55 Firefighters as Rib Smokers

📌 Want to help or donate? Visit:
https://lakecountycf.org/community-fu...

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