News Briefs: Wilmette Open Water race; $1 million gift supports vision loss; local grad’s Hollywood internship

Nearly 150 swimmers gathered at Wilmette’s Gillson Beach on Saturday, June 14, for the seventh annual Wilmette Open Water Swim Race.

Hosted by the Ouilmette Foundation, the event timed participants as they swam a mile in Lake Michigan. This year, Deerfield resident and Rider University swim team member Matthew Borovik was the first-place finisher with a time of 17:05.

The event raises $14,000-15,000 annually to support local causes, including the upkeep of the Wallace Bowl, a nearby outdoor amphitheater; Wilmette Park District’s scholarship fund; and ALS-related causes. Phil Andrew, event co-founder and director, said this year’s total has not been tallied yet as “WOW-els,” the beloved Wilmette Open Water towels that change colors every year, are still being sold. 

Andrew launched the race in 2018 after recognizing the robust open water community in the Chicago area. He said the event brings people of all ages and swimming abilities together not only from the North Shore but also from states across the Midwest.

“That’s what I really love about it — that it’s really all these different folks who come together with their love of swimming, their love of our shoreline and a deep appreciation that this is such a valuable asset that it’s there for us to care for and enjoy,” Andrew said. “That really builds community.”

Winnetka nonprofit expands emotional support services for vision loss

Hadley, a Winnetka-based nonprofit that provides help to older adults with vision loss, received a $1 million gift Wednesday, June 18, to establish the Donahoe Center for Support.

Named after longtime Hadley trustee Tom Donahoe, father to John Donahoe, Martha Gallo and Susan Gally who made the $1 million donation, the center will expand Hadley’s emotional support services. These services include social workers, peer connections and multimedia content.

The Donahoe Center will help individuals suffering from the emotional challenges of vision loss including grief, anxiety and isolation. According to the press release, studies have shown that vision loss later in life correlates with depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. By providing increased emotional support through the Donahoe Center, Hadley hopes to combat these feelings.

“Vision loss affects more than what you see—it impacts confidence, connection, and mental health,” said Johnjoe Farragher, President and CEO of Hadley, in the release. “The Donahoe Center for Support strengthens Hadley’s ability to help individuals rediscover hope, purpose, and belonging.”

Originally founded in 1920 and relaunched in 2020, the nonprofit has reached all 50 states and over 100 countries. With 20 million Americans expected to experience irreversible vision loss over the next five years, according to the National Eye Institute, Hadley has set a goal of aiding one million people by 2030. All of Hadley’s services are available for free online, by phone or by mail.

New Trier alum lands prestigious internship through the Television Academy

Cae Parkhill, a Wilmette resident and 2023 New Trier alum, is stepping into Hollywood this summer.

Parkhill was one of 40 interns selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship Program, which places interns at companies in the television industry across the country.

A rising junior studying visual effects at Savannah College of Art and Design, Parkhill is spending their summer in Los Angeles interning for Barnstorm VFX, an Emmy-nominated visual effects studio. With experience in animation, computer science and stage crew, Parkhill said they have always been working behind the scenes in art.

Parkhill started their internship Monday, June 16, and said so far they have enjoyed meeting department heads and learning more about what it’s like to be in a professional environment.

Parkhill applied to the internship program toward the end of 2024 and was notified of their acceptance in April. The committee who selects the summer interns is the same committee responsible for selecting Emmy Award winners, which Parkhill described as “truly crazy.” 

“Those people that are generating the criteria for those movies are looking at me and my work and thinking that it’s good enough to go into the industry and be given this opportunity,” they said. “So that’s just an incredible honor for sure.”

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