Chicago is a town with cultural diversity, a beautiful lakefront, world-class attractions, and access to global commerce.  Yes, the city has harsh winters and messy politics, but Team Bethany Chicago believes this only helps make us stronger.  Chicago is our town.  We love the people who live here.  This is where we are called to reach those who are hurting because of poverty, violence, and addiction, among other reasons.

Bethany Chicago's Safe Families for Children (SFFC) program is one way we reach the hurting.  SFFC coordinates volunteer host families to provide safe and loving temporary homes to children whose families are facing a crisis, often due to medical issues, poverty, or addiction.  Through SFFC, families facing a crisis are provided mentorship, an opportunity to heal, and in some cases, a shorter-term alternative to the foster care system.  

Team Bethany Chicago is running and/or biking to raise funds for the SFFC program.  Our virtual races will take place between Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, September 13. Interested in joining our team?  Please reach out. 

We of course appreciate financial sponsors.  While host families are all-volunteer, Bethany does need funds to administer the program and to provide supplies to host families such as diapers, car seats, and other essentials for taking care of children.  Bob and Sally are providing a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $5,000 in sponsorships.

Team Bethany Chicago
Bob Schmid is completing a duathlon that involves running one mile, biking 18 miles, and finishing with a 3-mile run.  Bob's wife Sally will be completing a 5k as part of Team Bethany Chicago. Bob and Sally Schmid have two kids, Ben and Mary, who are both in high school.  Bob and Sally built their family through adoption and are an SFFC host family.  Since 2013, Bob and his family have participated in various triathlons, duathlons and endurance bike rides to support families in need of Bethany Chicago's services.  Bob has also served on the Bethany Chicago Branch board for eight years.  

Alison Lamsma and her family will also be completing the duathlon.  Alison Lamsma has worked at Bethany Christian Services since 1997.  She has worked with adoptive families, birth parents, trafficking victims, and children.  She is currently the Program Supervisor.  She and her husband, Darren Lamsma, have two sons, Ben and Joshua.  Alison and her family have participated over the years in bike rides and runs to support Bethany’s ministry and are excited to be running and biking the duathlon this year to support SFFC.  Alison was the adoption coordinator when Bob and Sally adopted their first son, Ben.

Adrienne Hazelaar will be completing the duathlon.  Adrienne is Alison’s cousin.  Adrienne lives in Canada with her husband and two children.  She loves working out and doing fun events.  She is excited to join Team Bethany Chicago and complete a duathlon for Bethany Christian Services

Hillary Start will be completing a 52-mile duathlon to honor the combined ages of each of her children – 5 miles running, 42 miles biking, and another 5 miles running.  Hillary is an active homeschool mom of 5 children and birth mom to an almost 19-year-old son. She works part-time as an admin for The Edge Church in Aurora, where she and her husband Ben both serve.  Hillary has a passion for providing spaces for young children and teen moms who need a safe home and for people of all ages to be healed, and receive freedom and salvation in Jesus.  

Jon Vander Wal will complete a 10-mile trail run at a local forest preserve. Jon and his wife Stephanie have two kids, Ella (13) and Ryan (10). Over the years Jon has done various road and trail races, but this is the first virtual event he has completed with others. Bethany holds a special place in his family's heart as Stephanie's first job out of the college was with Bethany in Southwest Michigan.

The Heath family is excited to be supporting Bethany Christian Services. Kitty is in 5th grade and will be running a 5k and biking a 5k. Lexi is in 3rd grade and will be running 2 miles and biking a 5k. Christopher will be biking a 5k. Their mom, dad, and little sisters Elizabeth and Lorelai will be cheering them on. This is the first virtual race they have competed in.

Carol Price has been married to Ron for 37 years and together they have 2 great kids and 3 beautiful grandkids. Carol has a passion for people to know that they are cared for, they matter, they count and to be known and loved not only by us( humans) but especially by God who created them. To know Jesus and His good news of salvation, freedom and forgiveness. I will be running a half marathon 13.1 miles.

Elizabeth Isaak is a mother of four, the oldest and youngest of whom were adopted.  She has been passionate about orphan care, adoption, foster care, and standing up for the marginalized since she was a pre-teen. She and her husband have supported the vision of Safe Families and she’s happy to lend her legs to raising funds for their good work. Elizabeth will be completing a 5k.

Melissa Bleich is a mom of two kids, one sixth-grader and one fifth-grader. She is also a part-time radiology technologist, and she loves helping empower other women to do and feel their best.  She loves reading, running, and any outdoor activity.  Melissa will be completing a 5k.