Donka, Inc.

04/27/2026

Tickets are live—and this one fills up fast! Rockin’ For Our Vets is back Saturday, July 11, with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band returning to the stage for a night that brings great music and even greater purpose.
It’s the kind of summer evening made for those who love being around good company and giving back to the community when possible. Gates open at 2 pm, the opener kicks things off early, and the Lt. Dan Band hits the stage at 7 pm.

Tickets are $50 (+ $4 processing fee), and parking is included with shuttle service from off-site lots.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now before they’re gone: https://www.wsfdv.org/
Proudly supported by the West Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans.

04/23/2026

❤️🤍💙 What an honor to be a part of something bigger than ourselves! ❤️🤍💙

🎉Donka, Inc. is excited to be selected as one of 25 charitable partners for this year’s America 250 Rockin’ for our Vets Concert for Charity at Cantigny Park hosted by West Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV).

🎵Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band are back for an unforgettable evening of music and meaning at their only public concert this year, including a special performance by American Idol runner up, Hunter Girl.

📆 Saturday, July 11, 2026
📍 Cantigny Park
⏰ Gates open at 2 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets at www.wsfdv.org

🫡In partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, WSFDV is putting on this special event to raise funds for charitable organizations—including Donka—that serve and uplift local veterans through assistance programs, job training and placement, and other vital resources.

A native of the Chicago area, Gary Sinise is a renowned actor, musician, and co-founder of the iconic Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Best known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, Sinise has dedicated decades to supporting veterans and first responders through his music, advocacy, and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

🎟️Tickets are $50 and on sale now! Space is limited so scan the QR code or go to wsfdv.org to purchase your tickets and reserve your spot today!

Your ticket includes:
• A lively concert with Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band and a special performance by Hunter Girl
• Special Guest: Former POW, US ARMY Veteran Jessica Lynch
• Free parking and shuttle transportation
• Tasty eats available for purchase from a variety of local food vendors
• A chance to support and salute our local heroes

🪖Can’t attend? Pay it forward by purchasing a “Treat a Vet” ticket to send a veteran in your place!

L🎸et’s rock for a cause, support our veterans and celebrate their service!

Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce

04/22/2026

✨Thank you to the Bags for Life Foundation for their generous $1,500 donation to Donka, Inc.! This contribution is more than just a gift—it’s an investment in accessibility, opportunity, and independence for the individuals we serve every day.

Celebrating 10 years, the Bags for Life tournament has grown into a powerful community tradition—bringing people together through a simple game of bags (co****le) while raising tens of thousands of dollars for meaningful causes.

We’re honored to be among the organizations supported by this incredible effort and inspired by the heart behind it. From friendly competition to life-changing impact, this partnership is a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose.

Thank you, Bags for Life, for believing in our mission and helping us continue to create pathways to independence for people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans.

Featured in the Photos: VP of Bags for Life Foundation Bill Hornbogen, Executive Director of Donka Leanne Vos, Donka Board Member Jim Benzin, and Greg Schwarze - DuPage County Board 6 and Jim Zay for DuPage County Board,

Village of Carol Stream - Government DuPage County Board

04/21/2026

Hi, my name is Anam Minhas. I’m the Marketing, Communications & Development Specialist at Donka, Inc., and I’m excited to share that I’m part of the Accessibility Advisory Council at The Morton Arboretum.

This council is bringing together a diverse and dedicated group of individuals, from people with lived experience of disability, Arboretum staff across departments, and leaders from local organizations committed to accessibility and inclusion.

This work means so much to me—both personally, as someone who is visually impaired, and professionally through my role at Donka. Being in spaces where accessibility is actively prioritized is incredibly powerful.

While there’s always room to grow, the Arboretum is already setting the bar high, leading by example and making real waves in the community.

And can we take a moment to talk about this beautiful, thoughtful keepsake Mariam Murphy, the council’s organizer and Arboretums’ Community Engagement Manager, personalized for each council member? 💚 It’s such a meaningful reflection of the care and intention behind this work.

Here’s to learning from one another and continuing to build spaces that truly welcome everyone.

04/15/2026

🙏Thank You again to all the people who registered for and attended the "What it Takes to Get Hired" webinar Donka, Inc. hosted last week in collaboration with Old Second National Bank!

We had a record number of registrants and would love to hear your feedback so we can continue offering valuable resources to our community! Please take a moment to complete our 10-question satisfaction survey. Scan the QR code or click the link below to get started: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehTE3jn3H6GO_1Lojy9BH9E7Ht5YclCemGLHkUXvZP9Hd9pg/viewform

If you missed the webinar and would like information and resources for job seekers, please contact us at info@donkainc.org.

04/14/2026

04/09/2026

🎉 Please join us in thanking Old Second National Bank for partnering with Donka, Inc. on our “What It Takes to Get Hired” webinar today!

🙏 We’re especially grateful to our incredible panelists, Mercedes Delcid, Laura Grande, Erica Carbonara and Krystal Pizon for sharing their expertise, practical advice, and honest insight into today’s job market. Their engaging presentation and easy-to-follow guidance gave attendees valuable tips on how to stand out as an applicant and navigate the hiring process with confidence.

🎙️ Shout-out to Donka’s Job Placement Coach, Carlos Johnson, for facilitating the conversation and ensuring job seekers got their most pressing questions answered!

💻 We also appreciate Old Second Bank for providing helpful resources, including information on current open positions and an HR guide to successful job placement that we’ll be sharing with all registrants along with additional resource links.

🤝 To everyone who attended, thank you for helping make this webinar such a success. We’re excited to continue partnering together on future events and providing valuable resources to our community.

✨ Did you attend the webinar? Share your feedback in the comments below! What was your biggest takeaway, and what additional webinars or topics would you like to see for job seekers in the future?

Donka, Inc. in Collaboration with Old Second National Bank

04/09/2026

🚨 Happening in less than ONE HOUR!
Join our “What It Takes to Get Hired” webinar and hear directly from hiring and recruiting professionals from Old Second National Bank about how to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

⏰From 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
🔗 Join the Zoom here: https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Fw%2F87113843243%3Ftk%3DUmyjEyudvpZMuau-TGTO9VwCFl21mmLn7nTuhSGwWNY.DQkAAAAUSGPCKxZRQjFYYmtua1NGcWFtb3dVNGlhdTdRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA%26pwd%3D4czjRir6Woccaii3rdnRTRuRoFWQpY.1&data=05|02|AMinhas%40donkainc.org|57d48aa718f54cb0fad308de90e3b0de|eb3dcdf4044c4528802b6686113c5a26|0|0|639107504753217381|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D|0|||&sdata=nGgeAYcCkadPidIF%2F00NmD4dnAOAJNqWjv3kXjChJ50%3D&reserved=0

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💼Attention Jobseekers! You Asked. We Delivered. 💼 In collaboration with Old Second National Bank, Donka, Inc. is hosting an employer-led webinar for jobseekers called: What it Takes to Get Hired—designed around the questions and topics you told us you wanted to hear about directly from hiring employers through our recent survey.

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual Event via Zoom, Scan the QR code or click the link below to register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5ewsOFeuQTaVbu7gyRjVHw

Join us for an honest and informative conversation with experienced hiring professionals from Old Second Bank about the topics that matter most to you! See flyer below for more details, learn about the panelists and register today!

🎙 Donka’s Job Placement Coach, Carlos Johnson, will facilitate the conversation and ensure your most pressing job search questions are addressed.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from an employer about what it truly takes to get hired—straight from the source. Gain insider tips, practical advice, and actionable insights you can use immediately in your job search.

Thank You to the Old Second National Bank Panelists: Mercedes Delcid Laura Grande Erica Carbonara and Krystal Pizon for your partnership in this event

Use to Join the Conversation

04/06/2026

✨ From Chicago to Wheaton, Donka, Inc. was proud to connect with job seekers, employers, and community partners at two recent career fairs as we prepare for our upcoming webinar, “What it Takes to Get Hired.”

At the City of Chicago Job Fair at Kennedy-King College, Carlos Johnson connected with job seekers and local organizations while learning about entry-level opportunities with the City of Chicago and affiliated agencies. Thank you to Zhuya Yang, Bilingual Recruiter with the Illinois Department of Human Services, for sharing resources that support employment pathways for individuals with disabilities and veterans.

At the People’s Resource Center Career Fair at Wheaton Public Library, we connected with job seekers across DuPage County and highlighted Donka’s job placement, computer, and Assistive Technology training services.

Special thanks to our community partners featured in the photos:
• Susi Pihera – DuPage County Workforce Development Division
• Tricia Swanstrom – Wheaton Public Library
• Gail Foster – Poised for Success
• Adela Meitz – College of DuPage
• Nicole Tochalauski – People’s Resource Center
• Natalie Perrone – Matson Logistics
• LaShawnda Sheldon – Nicor Gas / Southern Co.
• Desiree McCallum – Nicor Gas / Southern Co.

🤝 These partnerships help create stronger connections to employment, training, and community resources for job seekers with disabilities and veterans.

To further help job seekers, this Thursday April 9th, we are hosting a facilitative webinar called “What it Takes to Get Hired” in collaboration with Old Second National Bank. This is a great opportunity for job seekers to gain practical tips for standing out in today’s job market – directly from a hiring employer!

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Webinar Via Zoom (Scan the QR code on the flyer to register today)



📷 Photo Credit: Photos 1–10 taken by Ajay Soni, AJ

04/06/2026

✨From Chicago to Wheaton, Donka, Inc. was proud to connect with job seekers, employers, and community partners at two recent career fairs as we prepare for our upcoming webinar: "What it Takes to Get Hired".

▪️At the City of Chicago Job Fair at Kennedy-King College, Donka's Job Placement Specialist, Carlos Johnson, connected with local organizations and job seekers while learning about entry-level career opportunities with the City of Chicago and affiliated agencies. Hosted by the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus, the event brought together employers, city leaders, and workforce partners to help attendees take the next step toward employment. The fair also highlighted trade careers, apprenticeships, and hands-on opportunities through the DTI Career Fair.

🙏Special thanks to Zhuya Yang (featured in photos), Bilingual Recruiter with the Illinois Department of Human Services, for connecting with us and sharing resources that can help create pathways to employment for individuals with disabilities and veterans.

▪️We also engaged with a diverse group of job seekers at the People's Resource Center Career Fair at Wheaton Public Library, building valuable connections and showcasing Donka’s services. This event brought together an incredible network of organizations working to create meaningful opportunities for job seekers throughout DuPage County.

🙏Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with Carlos and our team and learn more about Donka’s job placement services and computer and AssistiveTechnology training programs. We are especially grateful to the many community partners featured in our photos:

• Susi Pihera – DuPage County Workforce Development Division
• Tricia Swanstrom – Wheaton Public Library
• Gail Foster – Poised for Success
• Adela Meitz – College of DuPage
• Tochalauski – People’s Resource Center
• Natalie Perrone – Matson Logistics
• LaShawnda Sheldon – Nicor Gas / Southern Co.
• Desiree McCallum – Nicor Gas / Southern Co.

🤝These partnerships help open doors for job seekers with disabilities and veterans by creating stronger connections to employment, training, and community resources.

🎉To further help job seekers, this Thursday April 9th, we are hosting a facilitative webinar called “What it Takes to Get Hired” in collaboration with Old Second National Bank. This is a great opportunity for job seekers to gain practical tips for standing out in today’s job market – directly from a hiring employer!

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Webinar Via Zoom
🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5ewsOFeuQTaVbu7gyRjVHw?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ6P4ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4N0tJVUVPMklSMXpKTDlKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjpddW_qTXapPjP4DQfcaA41Kc9EZm8Z8hNj8hOZhITpzxtB09LoDeCwkwFb_aem_BeeMLOvPuSosaFd0v9kYEA #/registration

Donka’s Job Placement Coach, Carlos Johnson, will facilitate the conversation so make sure all your pressing job-search questions are answered! Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what it truly takes to get hired! See flyer to learn more about the expert panelists from Old Second National Bank!



📷Photo credit: Photos 3-12 taken by Ajay Soni, Beyond Z Visuals Thank you for your talent and services!

04/01/2026

📣We’re honored to share that The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) featured Donka’s veteran program, services, and upcoming “What It Takes to Get Hired” webinar for job seekers in the March issue of their “Veterans Connections” newsletter.

Thank you to IDVA for helping us spread the word about the resources and support available to veterans as they pursue new career opportunities. Check out the full newsletter for more information and helpful resources here: https://share.google/iJHdYr5gGP6wXgqX8

If you haven’t done so already, register for “What it Takes to Get Hired’ – a facilitative conversation with an expert panel from Old Second National Bank, designed to give job seekers an insider's edge - learn exactly what hiring managers look for, how to make your application stand out, and the interview skills needed to become a competitive candidate in today's market.

Register for free today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5ewsOFeuQTaVbu7gyRjVHw


*Article contributed by Anam Minhas, Marketing, Communications & Development Specialist, Donka, Inc.

Learn about important veteran benefits, services, and programs in the March edition of Veterans Connections:https://veterans.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/veterans/about-us/communications/documents/vetconnectionsmarch2026.pdf