Welcome to the ATC

Upcoming events and news:

Sandbar on Lake Marie Fundraiser on February 1, 2025

Below are a few photos from the July 28 Giveaway, featuring some of our volunteers, including the talented hair stylists, and the booth at which the area’s future scholars were able to get a free backpack complete with school supplies.

(July 1, 2024) Following are two brief bits of history relating to Independence Day. Enjoy.

Story the First

Once upon a time, there were a group of people who sought to control their own destiny. They wanted painters to be able to paint what they wanted, and not what some nasty government wanted them to paint. They wanted writers to be able to write what they wanted, and not what some nasty government wanted them to write. They wanted the creators to be able to create what they wanted, and not what some nasty government wanted them to create. They also wanted independence from Great Britain–a life free of government tyranny, a life of individual freedom, the liberty to live the life they chose.

In June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution declaring, in part, this independence from King George III, et al.

On July 2, Lee’s Resolution calling for independence was voted on and approved.

The events of this day so moved future president John Adams to the point that he wrote the following to his wife, Abigail, on July 3:

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

After the approval, the Congress made various alterations and deletions to the resolution and the result that formally announced the break with England, the Declaration of Independence, was approved and officially printed two days later, on July 4. It has been this date, July 4, that has since been celebrated, not the 2nd.

Story the Second

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of the most important Founders, were colleagues, bitter enemies and in their later years, the dearest of friends. They also took part in one of History’s most amazing coincidences.

On July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years to the day since the Declaration of Independence was approved, John Adams lie upon his deathbed. His last words were, “Jefferson lives!”

Unbeknownst to Adams, a few hours earlier, also on July 4th, 1826, at his home in Montecello, Thomas Jefferson had also died.

In 1831, the fifth President of the United States and one of the Founders, James Monroe, also died on July 4.

(Our historian webmaster also points out that the period of July 1-3, 1863 were the dates on which the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War was fought. This year, 2023, is the 160th anniversary of the battle. Approximately 160,000 soldiers took part; 51,000 died [US 23,000; CS 28,000]. The battle turned the tide of the war in favor of the Union, though its end was still almost 2 years away.)

A Huge ‘Thank You’ to Our Golf Outing Sponsors

(July 1, 2024) We would like to thank the following businesses and people for their generosity to the Annual Donna Mae Memorial Golf Outing which benefitted the ATC that was held on June 28th 2024.

Heartland Bank, Mexican Paradise, Tom & Connie Fisher, Piggly Wiggly, Antioch Pizza, Antioch Fine Wine & Liquor, Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, Raegan Dusek- Lic. Est. & Brow Artist, Koval Distillery, Kohls Museum, PM & L Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Antioch Police Dept, Antioch Fire Dept, Dharni Gas & Food, Belfry Music Theatre, Carolyn Stanley, Chicago White Sox, Genesee Street Theatre, Coopershawk, Kristen VandenBerg, Vegas Cafe, Merit Law Group,Scott Gartner, Antioch Eye Associates, Emily’s Pancake House, Cozy Nails, Sweet Equations, The Rogalski Family, Tom & Sheila Dvorak, Rush Creek Distillery, Antioch Parks & Recreation, Sandbar on Lake Marie, Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Zanies, Harbor Shores, Racine Zoo, Family Medical Specialists, Volo Museum, Milwaukee Admirals, Windy City Bulls, Kohl’s Children’s Museum, Board & Brush in Libertyville, Khayat Entertainment, Captains Quarters, Sanders Fine Portraits, Scott & Sheryl Pierce, Jerry Haley, Sequoit Pride, Dancing Horses, Chris & April Parker, The Bennecke Family, Richie Keller, Launch Trampoline Park, Bryan Shaughnessy, The Young Family, The Bowles Family, Jen Wilbur, Lake County Grading, Spring Valley Country Club, Beese & Co, The Garvey Family, The James Family, The Franceschi Family, Chicago Cubs,Chipotle,A.Y.L.L., Raising Canes,Brian & Nicole Petersen, Abby Aguilar, Jill Loring, Meadowbrook Country Club, Barker Shoppe, Navy Pier, Haley Hemmer, Spring Valley Country Club, Classic Cinemas, Harvest Hill Beverage Company, Lake Villa Restaurant, Stephanie Siemens,G.F.K.A., and Kendra Scott.

Whew!

ATC Thanks the JX Gives Back Family Foundation

(March 9, 2024) Our sincerest thanks are extended to the JX Gives Back Family Foundation for their kind and generous donation. JXGBFF is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support many worthy charities and organizations as well as local food pantries, hospitals, shelters, customer charitable causes and foundations.

Through their vision, JXGBFF aims to “improve opportunities and the quality of life for individuals, the human condition and the environment working with and through other community services and programs.” ATC is proud to join the list of those community services.

ATC Requests Item Donations — Our Inventory is Dwindling!

(January 24, 2024) After the January 20 giveaway event, we’re running a bit low on a few items in our inventory!

If you’re a business, organization, or an individual who’d like to help the ATC reach its goal of helping those in need, start collecting items in the list below. Then visit the ATC website to find out drop-off dates!

Thanks in advance for helping the Antioch Traveling Closet!

Here’s a list of the items of which we are currently most in need:

toothpaste/toothbrushes/dental supplies
body soap/body wash
deodorant
shampoo/conditioner
kid’s shampoo and body wash
Q-Tips (cotton swabs)
band-aids (first-aid supplies)
dish soap
laundry soap and/or pods
brand-new underwear
diapers
baby wipes

We are very grateful for your support!

January Giveaway at the New ATC Home a Success

(January 24, 2024) The first ATC giveaway in our new home was a success. We were able to help approximately 90 families from Antioch, Lake Villa, and Lindenhurst at the January 20 event.

After nearly a decade of holding events at the Antioch Senior Center, the ATC’s new base, located in Depot Plaza, 311 Depot St. (at the Antioch Metra station), will afford us the opportunity to hold mini-giveaway events every four to six weeks, in addition to the three major giveaways held annually. While anyone is welcome to attend these major events, the smaller events might be limited to Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst residents.

The new site also allows us to leave items permanently displayed, which was not possible at the Senior Center.

Below are a few photos of the Antioch Traveling Closet’s new home.

The new home of the Antioch Traveling Closet, located at the Metra Station’s Depot Plaza, 311 Depot St., in Antioch, Illinois.

The ATC Brain Trust poses at the organization’s new home located in Depot Plaza, 311 Depot St., in Antioch. Left to right, Heather Lewis, Cory Bowles, and ATC founder Lisa Fisher.

Some of the many generous ATC volunteers before the January 20 Giveaway.

A Christmas ‘Thank You’ From Lisa Fisher

(January 10, 2024) Yesterday is probably our most favorite day of the year. We got to make Christmas a little brighter for families in District 34, District 117, Emmons and Grass Lake Schools with an invite-only giveaway. This year we were able to help 135 children with Christmas with help from Antioch Eye Associates, Ellen Ipsen Insurance, Fischer Paper Products, Good Family Tattoo, Merle Norman, Oakland School and Scott and Sheryl Pierce.

The left over toys were bagged up with hat and gloves and given to a Waukegan Police Officer who will deliver them to the shelters.

We were able to put this together with help from our very hard working volunteers and husbands that are VOLUNTOLD. Thank you to everyone that helped make this a success this year. A few parents started to cry, and SO many said Thank you, Bless you, and you have no idea how much this helps! — Lisa Fisher (December 17, 2023)

An ATC Shoutout Goes to Aldi and Walmart For Their Support

(July 8, 2023) We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Antioch Aldi for their generous cash donation and to Walmart Supercenter for their clothing donation. We can assure you that both will go a long way in helping the ATC achieve its goal of making everyday life a little better for area residents in need.

Old National Bank Has Counted The Votes and the ATC Wins!

(May 22, 2023) A few weeks ago we asked visitors to our website to vote for the Antioch Traveling Closet in Old National Bank’s charity award competition–every day. Each bank branch was able to donate $5,000 to the charity closest to them.

The results are in and the Old National Bank branch in Round Lake Beach presented Lisa Fisher with a $5,000 check for the ATC because we had over 2000 votes–the most in their area!

In Lisa’s words, “Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for voting everyday!”

Join the Club and Thank Sam’s Club

(February 22, 2023) The ATC screams a loud “Thank you very much!” to Sam’s Club in Gurnee for their recent generous donation to the Antioch Traveling Closet. We appreciate your support!

ATC Founder Lisa Fisher to Appear on CBS News This Friday

(October 26, 2022) CBS News Chicago has arranged to do an interview with Antioch Traveling Closet founder Lisa Fisher. The interview will take place sometime during the 9:00am newscast on Friday, October 28. Lisa will appear around 9:50am.

Amongst the topics to be discussed will be this weekend’s Winter Wear Giveaway on Saturday, October 29. The Antioch Senior Center will be the site of the event.

Antioch Dentists Donate Supplies to Help the ATC Mission

(October 15, 2022) It’s difficult to be anything but all smiles after receiving a large donation of oral hygiene supplies from Redwing Dental Care, 421 E. Rt. 173 in Antioch and Heritage Dental, 800 N. Main St., also in Antioch.

The ATC thanks these businesses for their support and we encourage our supporters to consider them for their dental care in the future.

Bombas Continues ATC Support With 10,000 Pairs of Socks!

(October 15, 2022) Bombas has come through again for the Antioch Traveling Closet with a huge donation of 10,000 pairs of their quality socks. This doubles the ATC donation they made in February of this year. In addition to their world-class socks, the company also manufactures underwear for men, women, and children. The New York-based company has donated over 25,000 pairs of their socks to us so that we, in turn, can give the feet of our area’s needy some joy and warmth and pride.

The company was founded on the principle that they will donate one pair of their socks to charitable organizations for each pair they sell. According to the company’s website, Bombas has donated over 75 million clothing items to the homeless including the three most requested items: socks, underwear, and t-shirts.

The company’s name derives from the Latin word for “bumblebee.”

“Bees live in a hive and work together to make their world a better place. They’re small, but their combined actions have a big impact on the world. We like that. That’s why our mantra is ‘bee better.'”

Our best wishes and thanks go out to Bombas, for helping the ATC achieve our mutual goal of helping the area’s needy—two feet at a time.

Area’s Future Scholars Get the Tools They’ll Need

(August 5, 2022) State Bank of the Lakes in Antioch has donated 120 new backpacks, complete with school supplies, to be distributed at this Sunday’s Back-to-School Giveaway event.

Liberty Community Church, 1640 W. Gelden Rd. in Lindenhurst has donated 70 backpacks, also filled with supplies.

The area’s future scholars, and the ATC, deeply appreciate the donations which will be handed out at the August 7 Back-to-School Giveaway event.

A portion of SBOTL’s 120-backpack donation.

Liberty Community Church’s backpack donation.

The Latest Donation Collection Events for the ATC

(August 2, 2022) The ATC extends its thanks to Heartland Bank and to Junior Girl Scout Troop 45423 for holding donation collection events for our benefit.

Let us know if your group or organization is willing to hold a similar event and we can assist with the details.

Heartland Bank’s ATC donation table.

Junior Girl Scout Troop 45423 are all smiles at their recent donation collection event.

Raymond Autogroup Continues Their Support for the ATC

(July 7, 2022) Antioch Traveling Closet founder Lisa Fisher has a wide smile as she is surrounded by smiles of the Raymond Autogroup, 118 Rt. 173 and 119 Rt. 173 in Antioch. The event is the presentation of Raymond’s generous donation to the ATC effort. Raymond Autogroup has been a long-time supporter of the ATC and we ask all of our supporters to support them, in turn.

Thanks, again, to the Raymond Autogroup!

The ATC’s Growing List of “Thank You’s”

(June 4, 2022) From the Desk of Lisa Fisher: I’m very excited to share with everyone that I have been voted one of The Nextdoor100. Thank you to Elizabeth Grindol and those who voted for me! The Nextdoor100 is all about amazing local business and neighbors who go out of their way to spread joy, offer help, and bring our communities together, so being a part of this means a lot. To see my story and who else won, go to The Nextdoor100 website!

We also extend our thanks to the following groups who have made recent donations to the ATC:

The JX Gives Back Family Foundation for their generous cash donation.
The Student Council at Hillcrest Elementary School for their wonderful donation collection of toiletries and cleaning supplies.
The NJHS and Student Council at Antioch Upper Grade School for their generous monetary donations.
the Antioch Junior Womens Club for their donation from their Comedy Event held earlier this year.

We are very grateful for your support!

Daily Herald Features ATC MayDay Giveaway

(April 29, 2022) The Daily Herald website has an article featuring the Antioch Traveling Closet’s Spring Giveaway this Sunday, May 1. Click this link to go to the Daily Herald website to read the article.

Bombas Donates 5,000 Pairs of Socks—50,000 Toes Applaud!

(February 19, 2022) Bombas, manufacturers of world-class socks and underwear for men, women, and children, has donated 5,000 pairs of their socks to the Antioch Traveling Closet, according to ATC founder Lisa Fisher. Over the years, the New York-based company has donated over 15,000 pairs of their socks to us so that we, in turn, can give the feet of our area’s needy some joy.

The company was founded on the principle that they will donate one pair of their socks to charitable organizations for each pair they sell. According to the company’s website, Bombas has donated over 50 million clothing items to the homeless including the three most requested items: socks, underwear, and t-shirts.

The company’s name derives from the Latin word for “bumblebee.”

“Bees live in a hive and work together to make their world a better place. They’re small, but their combined actions have a big impact on the world. We like that. That’s why our mantra is ‘bee better.'”

Thank you, once again, Bombas, for helping the ATC achieve our mutual goal of helping the area’s needy—two feet at a time.

Thanks to Larsen Electrical and Target for Their Holiday Donations

(January 3, 2022) Larsen Electrical Technologies, 4716 52nd Ave., in Kenosha, a long-time supporter of the ATC once again came through for us with another of their generous donations.

We also tip the ATC hat to the Target store at 6601 Grand Ave. in Gurnee for their donation of gift cards which went a long way in replenishing our holiday supply.

It’s through partners such as these that the ATC is able to reach its goal of helping the area’s needy families and making their holidays a time to remember.

Welcome to the ATC