Patriots Gateway Community Center

06/12/2026

🚂🌟 More Field Trip Friday Fun at the Illinois Railway Museum! 🌟🚂

The adventure continues for our Patriots Gateway Summer Campers!

Today, campers are stepping back in time and exploring the fascinating history of America's railroads at the Illinois Railway Museum. From climbing aboard historic trains to learning how transportation helped shape our country, every stop is an opportunity for discovery and hands-on learning.

🚂 Explore historic locomotives and railcars
📚 Learn about history in an exciting, interactive way
👫 Build friendships and create lasting memories
🌟 Experience learning beyond the classroom

Field Trip Fridays are one of the highlights of our summer camp program, giving campers the chance to explore new places, discover new interests, and make unforgettable memories.

06/12/2026

💚🌿 What an Incredible Evening! Thank You, Rockford! 🌿💚

Despite the storms, our community showed up in a big way for the 2nd Annual Ruthie's Garden Party, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, donated, bid, volunteered, sponsored, and supported Patriots Gateway Community Center.

Your generosity and belief in our mission help us continue creating opportunities for youth, families, and our community.

A special thank you to Aaron Wilson of WIFR for serving as our outstanding Master of Ceremonies and helping make the evening so memorable. We are also grateful to Jason Waak for sharing his personal Patriots story and speaking so passionately about why Patriots Gateway matters and why community support is so important.

🍽️ Franchesco's provided an amazing me food and refreshments.
🎵 Rachel Handlin and Michael Beert generously donated and performed beautiful music.
📸 Grace Druien of Saving Grace Photography captured the evening, and we'll be sharing photos soon!
🎨 Thank you to Roni Golan for bringing creativity and community together through our collaborative painting experience.

🌺 And a special shoutout to our Patriots Summer Campers, who created the beautiful flowerpot centerpieces that decorated every table.

We are deeply grateful for the support of our sponsors, donors, vendors, and community partners whose generosity helped make this event a success.

✨ Patriot Sponsors
• Malika Miller
• Behr Iron & Metal, an Alter Company

✨ Platinum Sponsor
• Dick Kunnert

✨ Gold Sponsors
• Ruth Ora Jackson ND / Inscape Collective
• Rockford Park District
• Amanda Kirchner
• Tom Habing
• Tom Palmgren
• Crusader Community Health
• Tipping Point
• Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 32
• Reno Zahm

✨ Silver Sponsors
• Pastor Denver & Pam Bitner
• Betsy & Allen Carlson
• Mike & Trisha Gann
• John & Sue Spitzer
• Pastor Mike & Tammy Thomas
• Rockford Storm Basketball
• Olson Funeral & Cremation
• NECA–IBEW 364 Power Connection
• Martin & Company
• Studio GWA

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated silent auction and Plinko prizes. Your generosity made the evening fun, exciting, and impactful.

Plinko Prizes & Silent Auction Donations

Amanda Kirchner

Platt Hill Nursery

Beloit Skycarps

Katie’s Cup

Gary Anderson

The Norwegian

Tom Palmgren

Coronado Theatre

Michael & Susan Maddox

Roni Golan

Forest Hills Country Club

Timberlake PlayHouse

Farmers Rising

Irish Grove Farm

Cloudius & Co

Bryan Selander

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Artale & Co.

Rockford Park District

BEAM Beauty + Wellness

Barn Stormers

Mister Carwash

Because of all of you, Ruthie's Garden Party was more than a fundraiser—it was a celebration of community, generosity, and hope.

💙 Thank you for believing in Patriots Gateway Community Center. We can't wait to share photos and highlights from the evening in the coming days!

Community members gathered Thursday night at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden for the second annual Ruthie’s Garden Party, a fundraiser benefiting Patriots Gateway Community Center.

06/12/2026

🚂🌟 Field Trip Friday Adventure! 🌟🚂

It's another exciting Field Trip Friday for our Patriots Gateway Summer Campers!

Today, our campers are exploring the incredible Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois—the largest railway museum in the country. From historic locomotives and streetcars to hands-on learning about transportation history, it's a day filled with discovery, adventure, and unforgettable experiences.

🚂 Explore Historic Trains
📚 Learn About Transportation History
👫 Make New Memories with Friends
🌟 Experience Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Patriots Gateway Summer Camp, every field trip is an opportunity to spark curiosity, encourage learning, and create lasting memories.

Photos from today's adventure as our campers climb aboard a journey through history!

06/09/2026

📍🌿 Know Before You Go: Ruthie's Garden Party! 🌿📍

We're excited to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Ruthie's Garden Party Thursday June 11th at 5:30 PM!

📍 Location:
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
2715 S. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61102

⚠️ Important Update: Due to the weather forecast, the event has been moved from the Garden Pavilion to the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum. Please refer to the map below for parking and Visitor Center locations.

Before you arrive, here's what you need to know:

🎟️ 50/50 Raffle
💵 Cash Only
⚠️ No ATM available on-site

🎯 Plinko Game
💵 Cash
✔️ Check
💳 Credit Card

🛍️ Silent Auction Items
💳 Credit Card
📱 Apple Pay & Google Pay

🎨 Collaborative Painting by Roni Golan (Available only to event attendees)
💵 Cash
✔️ Check
💳 Credit Card

👕 Patriots T-Shirts & Table Decorations
💵 Cash
✔️ Check
💳 Credit Card

What should you bring?

🎨 Your artistic spirit to help create our one-of-a-kind collaborative painting
💚 Your giving spirit to support Patriots Gateway Community Center
☔ An umbrella for the short walk from your car to the Visitor Center

Get ready for an evening of great food, live music, exciting games, incredible auction items, and wonderful community connections—all supporting the youth and families served by Patriots Gateway Community Center.

We can't wait to celebrate with you Thursday!

If need tickets have a few left https://patriotsgatewaycommunitycenter.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=12&

To get ahead start on the silent auction it is
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2nd-annual-ruthies-garden-party-fundraiser-silent-auction

06/09/2026

🎉👶 Exciting News at Patriots Gateway Community Center! 👶🎉

We're thrilled to announce that the north end of our facility will soon be home to Jumpin Jacks Learning Center!

This exciting partnership will expand access to high-quality childcare for working families in our community while creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Under the leadership of LeAnne Polk and her dedicated team, Jumpin Jacks Learning Center will provide care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age, with a focus on individualized attention and quality programming designed to meet the unique needs of every child.

🧸 Ages 6 Weeks – 12 Years
❤️ Safe, Secure, and Caring Environment
👩‍🏫 Personalized Attention for Every Child
⏰ Convenient Hours: Monday–Saturday, 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM

These extended hours will be a valuable resource for families with non-traditional work schedules, helping ensure that parents have access to dependable childcare when they need it most.

We're excited to welcome Jumpin Jacks Learning Center to the Patriots Gateway family and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on children and families throughout our community.

Join us and meet LeAnne and her staff on Wednesday June 24, 2026 for an Open House from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM to find out more!

Stay tuned for more updates and opening information!

06/09/2026

📣🌿 Important Event Update: Location Change for Ruthie's Garden Party 🌿📣

We're looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the 2nd Annual Ruthie's Garden Party on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM!

Due to the forecasted weather, we have moved the event from the Garden Pavilion to Klehm Arboretum's Main Building to ensure a comfortable, enjoyable, and safe experience for all of our guests.

✅ Same Date
✅ Same Time
✅ Same Great Event
📍 New Location: Klehm Arboretum Main Building

Join us for an evening filled with delicious food, great friends, live music, exciting games, and incredible silent auction items—all while supporting the mission of Patriots Gateway Community Center.

And don't forget—the Silent Auction is already LIVE online, so you can start bidding on your favorite items before the event begins!

Thank you for your understanding, and we can't wait to see you Thursday evening for a wonderful night of community, celebration, and impact.

06/09/2026

🔨🌿 The Silent Auction Is LIVE! 🌿🔨

Can't attend the 2nd Annual Ruthie's Garden Party on June 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Klehm Arboretum? You can still support Patriots Gateway Community Center and bid on our incredible auction items from wherever you are!

From vacation getaways and family experiences to theater tickets, golf packages, local dining, artwork, jewelry, and more, there's something for everyone.

🎁 Browse amazing items
💻 Bid from anywhere
💚 Support youth, families, and community programs
🏆 Win unique experiences and great prizes

Don't wait—your favorite item may already be getting bids! Start browsing, start bidding, and help make a difference in our community.

Every bid supports the mission of Patriots Gateway Community Center and helps create opportunities for those we serve.

Happy bidding and thank you for your support!

click on the link below for auction
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2nd-annual-ruthies-garden-party-fundraiser-silent-auction

We still have a few tickets left and you can purchase those at
https://patriotsgatewaycommunitycenter.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=12&

#

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2nd-annual-ruthies-garden-party-fundraiser-silent-auction

06/08/2026

📅✨ Mark Your Calendars! ✨📅

There’s always something exciting happening at Patriots Gateway Community Center!

From family-friendly events and youth programs to community celebrations and special fundraisers, we’re bringing people together, creating opportunities, and making a difference every day.

🌟 Check out our upcoming events and join us for fun, learning, connection, and community impact.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or visiting us for the first time, we invite you to be part of the Patriots Gateway family. We can't wait to see you at one of our upcoming events!

Stay tuned for event details, registration information, and ways to get involved.

💙 Together, we're building a stronger community—one event at a time.

06/05/2026

📚✨ More Field Trip Friday fun!

Our Summer Campers had a fantastic time exploring the Rockford Public Library, where learning and adventure go hand in hand. From discovering new books and engaging activities to exploring all the resources the library has to offer, our campers enjoyed a day filled with curiosity, creativity, and fun.

We're grateful to the Rockford Public Library for helping inspire a love of reading and lifelong learning in the next generation.

Every Field Trip Friday is a new opportunity to explore, discover, and grow! 🌟

📚❤️

06/05/2026

🇺🇸📚 Field Trip Friday continues!

Our Summer Campers spent the afternoon at Veterans Memorial Hall, exploring history and learning about the sacrifices and service of the men and women who have defended our nation.

This visit is also part of our Summer Camp's celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, helping campers connect with our country's history while gaining a deeper appreciation for citizenship, service, and the freedoms we enjoy today.

Experiences like these bring history to life and inspire our campers to learn from the past as they help shape the future.

A special thank you to Veterans Memorial Hall for helping make this meaningful learning experience possible!

🇺🇸