About Us
At the core of what we do is the belief that making positive changes in the world starts with our kids. We're on a mission to create more grateful, happy, healthy children who will grow into contributing adults and improve the lives of people around them.
We also believe that when kids practice gratitude, and experience what it means to help others, it instills the practice of giving and builds strong values. That's why g2 programs are built around hands-on community service opportunities for volunteers of all ages.
Our mission:
Inspiring gratitude in future generations through education and service.
Our Story
g2 started with a simple Facebook post in 2017 by a mom who didn't want her young child's only focus to be on how she was being gifted regularly for becoming a big sister.
Lisa Sanders wrote, "I am looking to teach my daughter that giving is so much more gratifying than receiving." Sanders proposed a service event for kids to give their toys to children in need. The idea resonated, and her post was flooded with responses from other parents who felt the same way. Hundreds commented, and dozens of people attended initial meetings. Within weeks, five Northshore women founded Gratitude Generation.
In the years since, g2 has grown exponentially, expanding our reach with new programs, ever-increasing community friendships and supporters, and dedicated volunteers. Our impact has surpassed one goal after another—and it's still growing.
Founding Board members at g2's launch party in April 2018.
(L-R): Erin Kerpel, Allison Silver, Jill Rivkin, Lisa Sanders and Nicki Sutherland.
Our Signature Programs
We work with many other community organizations to help support our neighbors and to provide opportunities for kids and families to volunteer.
But close to our heart are several special programs that grew organically out of our mission—programs g2 designed and that we continue to offer on a regular basis. Our signature programs include:
Birthday Bags (formerly Gratitude Gifts)
4 Your Care Packages
Project Shop & Share
The g2 Personal Care Closet
Valentine's Meals for Veterans
Sponsor-a-Student Backpack Program
Bye-Bye Boredom Bags
FEED. (Food Is Essential Every Day)
Our Team
Executive Board
Erin Kerpel
Director of Service Events
Lisa Sanders
Director of Education
Jill Rivkin
Director of Community Outreach
Allison Silver
Director of Finance
Lisa Daniel
Director of Communications
Lewis Lefteroff
Director of Operations
Professional Staff
Nicki Sutherland
Executive Director
Betsy Hara
Giving Coordinator
Gratitude Generation Chairs
Linsey Friedman
Teen Board Chair
Jon Mall
Teen Board Chair
Lara Zeigler
GLOW! Curriculum Writer
and MLK Day Chair
Deb Shapiro
GLOW! Curriculum Writer
Sue Cohn
Shop & Share Coordinator
Jodi Joffe
Shop & Share Coordinator
Hayun Cho
Impact Report Chair
Lauren Bruss
Thank-You Note Coordinator
Paul Snyder
Golf Outing Coordinator
Lisa Kaplan
Mitzvah Program Coordinator
Ronna Belinky
g2 Personal Care Closet Chair
Robin Taxman
Private Events Chair
Kelly Jackymiw
Event Creation and Valentine Meals for Veterans Chair
Amy Miller
Take-Home Project Chair
Kim Voigt
g2 Personal Care Closet Chair
Jason Merel
Service Squad Chair
Ellyn Adkisson
Private Events and Mac & Cheese Program Chair
Elise Levin
Mac & Cheese Program Chair
Meredith R.
Instagram Chair
Andi Goldstein
Warm Soles Sock Drive Chair
Nancy Snyder
Merch Chair
Community Friendships
Alex's Lemonade Stand
Backyard Grill
Bella Via
Bernie's Book Bank
Bimbo Bakeries
BJBE
BNI
B'nai Tikvah
Bounce Children's Foundation
Brushwood Center
Burn Boot Camp
Caruso Middle School
CASA Lake County
Catholic Charities
Chicago Help Initiative
Chicago Police Department
Chicago Wolves
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Children's Medical Center at Summerlin
Hospital
Cobra Back
Community Partners for Affordable Housing
Connections for the Homeless
Cook County Juvenile Court System
Core Power Yoga
Cradles to Crayons
Dancing While Cancering
Daniel Wright Junior High School
DBR Chamber of Commerce
Deerfield High School
Deerfield Rotary
Discovery Day Camp
Edgewood Chamber of Commerce
Everett Elementary School
Exchange Club of Grayslake
Fill A Heart 4 Kids
Fluid Management
Fly Girl Dance
Food Warriors/Night Ministries
Friendship Pet Food Pantry
FSA
Gender Cool
Gigi's Playhouse
GiveNKind
Glencoe Youth Services
Green Minds LFLB
Greenbriar Elementary School
Half Day School
Heartland Animal Shelter
Heinen's Bannockburn
Heller Nature Center
Hickory Point School
Highland Park Community
Foundation
Highland Park High School
Highland Pop
Highwood Rec Center
Homethrive
Hunger Free Northbrook
I Am Me Camp
Indian Hill
Josh's Hot Dogs
Keeping Families Covered/Twice As Nice
Mother & Child
Keshet
Kinderhaven Preschool Academy
Kipling Elementary School
Kiwanis Club Glenview-Northbrook
La Principal
Lake Zurich High School
Legacy Charter School
Lincoln Elementary School
Loft 21
Maple School
Max & Benny's
Midwest Veterans Closet
Montessori Connection
New Life for Old Bags
Nicasa
Nora Project
North Lawndale Employment Network
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
North Suburban YMCA
Northbrook BlueHawks
Northbrook Chamber of Commerce
Northbrook Rotary
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northfield Township Food Pantry
Northwood Middle School
Nuestro Center
Oak Terrace Elementary School
Once Upon a Grill
Our Shining Stars
PADS Lake County
Paralysis Foundation
Presbyterian Hospital
Primo Center
Project 180 Impact
Red Oak Elementary School
Roberti Community House
Rootz
Ronald McDonald House
SaLT
Seth Paine Elementary School
Share Our Spare
Shauni's Sweets
Sherwood Elementary School
Shepard Middle School
Shri Yoga
Sidekicks
Silverado
South Park Elementary School
Special Education District of Lake County
(SEDOL)
Sprague School
St. Francis Food Pantry
Sue's Pantry
T and C Treats
Traveling Tutus
Tulips for Laurie
USO of Illinois Great Lakes Center,
Great Lakes Naval Base
Vernon Township Food Pantry
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
Walden Elementary School
Wayne Thomas Elementary School
Weinberg Community for Senior Living
Wescott School
West Deerfield Township
WheelPower Studio
Whole Foods
Wild Roaster
Willow House
Willowbrook School
Wilmot Elementary School
Winkelman Elementary School
The Woman's Club of Evanston
Wood Oaks Junior High School
Xpress Your INC