March 2026

The Ruth Project

Don't Miss Our Foster FUNdraiser Walk!

So much FUN is planned for our 3rd Annual Foster FUNdraiser Walk on Saturday, April 25 — crafts and games in the barns, pony rides, outdoor activities, and of course, the one-mile Walk! Walkers get a t-shirt, race bib, and medal. Register to join us at The Farm between 9am and 2pm>Ruth Project Foster FUNdraiser Walk. Can’t come? Check out other ways to support the Walk>Beyond Walking. As you read our newsletter, discover all the ways we need your support to continue encouraging and strengthening foster families and children!

Our new POP! Family Events were officially launched and are a big hit! We hosted a morning of activity at The Farm for all ages including parents, provided a morning of energy-burning at Bumblebee Play Café, and hosted a sweet Family Game Night. What a great way for our families to deepen relationships in a meaningful way!

Spring always brings our first Farm Work Day of the year when our treasured volunteers do amazing things! This time they attacked the inside of each barn with soap and elbow grease to Spring-clean each space. Everything is sparkling! Village Church of Bartlett’s FORGE youth group joined in to rake and bag leaves in the maple orchard. Temps were freezing, but they were determined to finish the job even after quitting time! Thank you to all these incredibly dedicated workers who gave their Saturday morning to The Ruth Project!

Our first Mom’s Night Out of the year was a sweet night of pottery painting. After a delicious meal at Geneva’s California Pizza Kitchen, these moms were treated to a party at Color Me Mine, resulting in a finished piece of art after glazing and firing. What a fun getaway evening of lively conversation and deepening friendships for these moms.

We’re so grateful to three of our Ruth Project champions who’ve who’ve chosen us to receive proceeds from their upcoming fundraisers! West Dundee’s New Friends & Neighbors has a “Super Hero” Trivia Night on April 10, 7:30pm at Algonquin’s Golf Club of Illinois. Contact Kim Lauten for tickets! This will be a blast! Harvest Bible Chapel 55+ will be working the floor and drive-thru at the Elgin Culver’s on April 13, 4:00-8:00pm. Stop in, say “hi” while having dinner, and support our families. And on April 15 from 4:30-8pm, visit our treasured partner Elgin Chick-fil-A and say you’re representing The Ruth Project. A portion of your meal cost will be donated to support our families!

We want to thank two groups of Field Trip students for serving our foster families and children. A local 4-H chapter and a Homeschool Classical Conversations class made birthday cards, stuffed Easter eggs, and bagged animal feed. We’re SO grateful for parents and teachers who are raising the next generation to advocate for their peers in the foster care system!

We’d like to recognize another young, dedicated Ruth Project volunteer. Trail Life member Ethan Cartwright is the first in Illinois to achieve the Freedom Award. This prestigious honoris the result of his meticulous work raising funds and creating our Art Spot at The Farm. Have you seen this delightful spot? Ethan received his award at a Trail Life ceremony where we celebrated what he accomplished for God’s kingdom and our families. If you have a son, please check out Trail Life. This wonderful, faith-filled organization partners with parents to develop young men with strong, godly character. Its partner organization, American Heritage Girls, focuses on discipling girls as they keep their eyes on Jesus. Find out how to connect with them below!

We want to share the news of the loss of a dear and faithful friend of The Ruth Project who recently went home to be with the Lord. Terri Dahm was among the first group of women who helped launch The Ruth Project through financial and practical gifts, and had become a dedicated volunteer at our Elgin Boutique. In her reunion with the Lord, she continued her legacy of giving by donating a portion of her estate to The Ruth Project. We are overwhelmed by her abundant generosity and creative way to support foster families!