100% of Donations Go Directly to Children Helping hospitalized children since 1983.

ORD Coordinators

Jordan Pickus

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ORD - Chicago, IL

Welcome to the Chicago, IL Pilots For Kids homepage. Learn how to get involved and participate in Pilots For Kids activities in the Chicago, IL area.


News

Chicago 2026

Last updated 1 week ago

Pilots for Kids Chicago Newsletter | 2026

A Great Start to 2026

As we continue through 2026, we want to thank each and every volunteer, supporter, donor, and community partner who has helped make this year a success. Because of your generosity and dedication, we’ve already had the opportunity to bring smiles, laughter, and encouragement to children and families throughout the Chicago area.

2026 Events So Far

This year, we’ve been fortunate to continue our partnerships with several outstanding children’s hospitals.

At Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, volunteers hosted our signature live television-style show, allowing children throughout the hospital to participate in games, trivia, and interactive fun from their rooms. We also spent time visiting patients and helping create memorable experiences for children and their families.

Throughout the year, our volunteers have continued our mission of bringing hope and joy through hospital visits, gift distributions, and special activities designed to brighten the day of children facing medical challenges.

Upcoming Fall Fundraiser

Our biggest community event of the year is just around the corner!

Pilots for Kids Fall Charity Fundraiser

Saturday, September 26, 2026
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Johnny Z’s Pourhouse
10936 Sheridan Rd
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of live music, raffles, great food, drinks, and incredible prizes including TVs, speakers, meat raffles, gift baskets, and much more.

Every dollar raised directly supports our hospital visits and holiday programs for children throughout the Chicago area.

Looking Ahead

The holiday season is our busiest and most rewarding time of the year. Planning is already underway for our annual hospital visits, toy distributions, and special events, and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.

Get Involved

There are many ways to support Pilots for Kids:

* Volunteer at one of our hospital visits.
* Help at community fundraising events.
* Donate raffle prizes or sponsor an event.
* Share our mission with friends, family, and coworkers.
* Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Together, we continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families facing difficult medical journeys.

Thank you for your continued support of Pilots for Kids Chicago. We couldn’t do it without you, and we’re excited for everything still to come in 2026.

2025 season wrap

Last updated 8 months ago

Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers

As we wrap up this year’s Pilots for Kids events, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who gave their time, energy, and compassion. Your dedication helped bring smiles, comfort, and holiday cheer to so many children and families, and none of this would be possible without you.

From hospital visits to behind the scenes support, each of you played an important role in making this year a success. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, please be on the lookout for updates and announcements about next year’s events. We are already excited about what’s to come and hope you will join us again.

Get Involved

We are also looking to expand our team and are currently seeking a Social Media Manager to help manage and grow our Pilots for Kids social media pages. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting PFK in this role, we would love to connect. Contact our PFK Chicago email.

Thank you again for being part of such a special community. We look forward to another meaningful year ahead.

Your Chicago Pilots for Kids Team

2025 season wrap

Last updated 8 months ago

Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers

As we wrap up this year’s Pilots for Kids events, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who gave their time, energy, and compassion. Your dedication helped bring smiles, comfort, and holiday cheer to so many children and families, and none of this would be possible without you.

From hospital visits to behind the scenes support, each of you played an important role in making this year a success. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, please be on the lookout for updates and announcements about next year’s events. We are already excited about what’s to come and hope you will join us again.

Get Involved

We are also looking to expand our team and are currently seeking a Social Media Manager to help manage and grow our Pilots for Kids social media pages. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting PFK in this role, we would love to connect. Contact our PFK Chicago email.

Thank you again for being part of such a special community. We look forward to another meaningful year ahead.

Your Chicago Pilots for Kids Team

Chicago 2025

Last updated 9 months ago

News Update:
We are pleased to share that planning for this year’s Pilots for Kids events is well underway, with several meaningful visits scheduled throughout December. Participation remains essential to the success of these efforts, and we encourage all interested volunteers to sign up as soon as possible to help us finalize preparations. Your involvement directly supports our mission to bring comfort and joy to children during the holiday season.

Chicago Pilots For Kids 2025

Last updated 11 months ago

Chicago Pilots for Kids 2025

Another year has gone by and we are ready to get started with the 2025 events! Our annual Fall Fundraiser 9/27 12pm! Join us at Lake Andrea Beer Garden, 10023 Park Drive in
Pleasant Prairie WI, 53158.

Thank you all that attended our previous  Fall Fundraiser!
This year we are estimated to gift over 300 gifts to children in need. We have 3 hospital visits scheduled and we need volunteers!
If you're off on the dates available this year please text or email to get set up! We look forward to seeing you at this year's events!
Thank you!

Jordan Pickus

ORD Pilots for Kids Coordinator


Upcoming Events

2026 Fundraiser

Saturday, September 26th, 2026 - 12:00 to 18:00 CDT

Join Us in Making a Difference! ❤️✈️ Pilots for Kids Chicago is excited to host our annual Fall Charity Fundraiser, and we’d love for our community to join us! Every dollar raised helps us bring smiles to children facing serious illnesses through hospital visits, holiday gift donations, and special events throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’re able to create meaningful experiences for hundreds of children and their families. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of great entertainment, exciting raffles, amazing prizes, and a chance to support a wonderful cause. Whether you come for the fun, the prizes, or simply to give back, your support makes a real difference. Please see the flyer below for all the event details, and help us spread the word by sharing this post. Together, we can make this our biggest fundraiser yet! Thank you for supporting Pilots for Kids Chicago and the children we are privileged to serve. We hope to see you there!

Dress Code: No uniform required
Get Directions: 10936 Sheridan Rd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054DACAA2BA2FFC61-64946734-2026


Past Events

Events from the past year are displayed here. Please check below this section to see if pictures from these events are posted!

Ann and Robert Luries

Monday, June 22nd, 2026 - 14:30 to 17:00 CDT

Hospital visit to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Summer Travel Visit!! Please meet in the Panda Family Life Center at the arrival time. Please use sign up link below to sign up for the event.

Dress Code: Full winter uniform. Including jacket
Get Directions: 225 E Chicago Ave
RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054DACAA2BA2FFC61-64167493-luries

Advocate Luthern General Hospital Park Ridge

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 - 13:00 to 16:00 CDT

We expect this event to fill up quickly! ***Please sign up by December 9th*** Please join us in visiting the Children's hospital to pass out toys for our annual Pilots for Kids event. Please direct all pilots to come to the main hospital entrance in the front of the Tower building. It is about in the center of that curved glass section that faces Dempster Street. That is the easiest because where we are meeting in the 2-Tower Family Room is directly above that entry-way lobby and is easily accessible by the stairway or elevators located right there.

Dress Code: Full Winter Uniforms
Get Directions: 1775 Dempster St, Park Ridge, IL 60068
RSVP: RSVP Here

Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Visit

Thursday, December 11th, 2025 - 15:00 to 18:00 CDT

Join us for our Annual Hospital visit to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Please meet in the Panda Family Life Center at the arrival time. We will host a live broadcasted television show featuring trivia and other fun activities. ***Sign up by December 4th***

Dress Code: Full Winter Uniforms
Get Directions: 225 E. Chicago Ave. Downtown Chicago
RSVP: RSVP Here

Advocate Children's Hospital

Monday, December 8th, 2025 - 13:00 to 15:30 CDT

Please join us for the visit to Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. ***SIGN UP BY DECEMBER 1st***

Dress Code: Full Winter Uniforms
Get Directions: 4440 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, Ill 60953
RSVP: RSVP Here

2025 Gift Wrapping

Monday, December 1st, 2025 - 15:00 to 18:00 CDT

Come help up bag gifts on December 1st at 3pm Food and drinks will be provided Contact Alex Hawari at (847) 946-9037 for more details

Dress Code: Casual
Get Directions: Highwood Illinois
RSVP: Alex Hawari (847) 946-9037 or pilotsforkidsord@gmail.com

2025 Fundraiser

Saturday, September 27th, 2025 - 12:00 to 15:00 CDT

3rd annual fall fundraiser Join us for another year of fun and games at our fall fundraiser. ***NEW DATE***

Dress Code:
Get Directions: Lake Andrea Beer Garden 10023 Park Drive Pleasant Prairie
RSVP:


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