The Brent Sopel Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping people with Dyslexia. Brent Sopel, an NHL alumni and 2010 Stanley Cup Winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, is the founder. Brent also has dyslexia and dysgraphia.
We are SUPER excited to announce the Inaugural Chicago Pro-Am Hockey Tournament is being brought to the USA after a successful run in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Proceeds from this event will provide financial resources to educate children throughout Chicago impacted with dyslexia. This 3-day event will kick off with a simulated draft in which participating teams will determine which Professional Hockey Player(s) will join their team for a weekend of hockey and locker room banter. The event will take place on September 11-13, 2020 at Johnny's Ice House. The Brent Sopel Foundation is proud to partner with Power Play Events, a premier NHL Alumni associated organization, which has successfully coordinated Pro-Am tournaments in Canada. Visit https://chicagoproam.com/ to learn more. To register as a Player and start fundraising for your team, click here. For Sponsorship opportunities please contact Jason Kotlowitz, Event Chair at jkotlowitz92@gmail.com or visit https://chicagoproam.com/sponsor-the-tournament/
We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament and "After Party" on Monday, May 18th, 2020 at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville, IL. As in past years, the "Drive for Dyslexia" charity golf tournament will raise funds to certify teachers in the Wilson dyslexic language training program, and to fund tutoring for dyslexic students who cannot afford the tutoring themselves. We are excited to partner this year with Murray Bros Caddyshack Restaurant to host the "After Party" with entertainment and mingling with celebrities. There are multiple sponsorship opportunities including a Foursome Sponsorship to golf with a celebrity, a Hole Sponsorship, and multiple levels of Corporate sponsorship levels: Gold, Diamond, Platinum and Presenting sponsors. To inquiry about becoming a Sponsor please email Ron Cimo. If you want to read about some of the celebrities who participated last year, scroll down to see the post below about the 2019 Celebrity Golf Tournament. We are grateful that many of these celebrities will return in 2020, and we are excited about hosting some new sports and entertainment celebrities....stay tuned!
Spittin' Chiclets recently did a podcast episode with our own Stanley Cup winner Brent Sopel. Brent joined to talk about his foundation for dyslexia, his time in Russia and some insane stories.
>>> Spittin' Chiclets is Former NHL vets Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette and Barstool Sports' Rear Admiral.
>>> Spittin' Chiclets is Former NHL vets Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette and Barstool Sports' Rear Admiral.
Oct. 12, 2019: As part of Dyslexia Awareness Month, the Daily Herald wrote an article about our own Brent Sopel, actor Henry Winkler, and Chicago suburban carpenter Jeremy Bailey...all who have dyslexia. The article is titled "Faces of dyslexia: How a suburban carpenter, a hockey pro and The Fonz are working with it". Additionally, ABC News Chicago had a nice video about the article which you can view here.
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Oct. 02, 2019: The Brent Sopel Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors, participants, supporters, bands and venues for all their amazing help in hosting our first Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament and After Party. We are so excited to start using your generous donations to fund certifying additional teachers in the Wilson dyslexic language training program, and to fund tutoring for dyslexic students who cannot afford the tutoring themselves. A special thanks to our headline sponsor Magnetrol International Inc. and the Village of Lemont for making October 2nd Brent Sopel Day in Lemont, Illinois.
CELEBRITIES Brent Sopel: NHL Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup winner Dennis Quaid: Movie and TV actor / band Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin): Movie and TV Actor Ben Eager: NHL Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup winner Tim Stapleton: NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Atlanta Thrashers Michelle McMahon: Big Ten Network, Fox Sports, NBC Sports Robert Earl "Butterbean" Love: NBA Chicago Bulls, 1973 All Star Eric Soderholm: MLB Chicago White Sox, AL Comeback Player of Year 1977 Adam Russell: MLB Chicago White Sox 2009 Tim Tyrrell: NFL Atlanta Falcons, LA Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers Bryan Anderson: TV and movie actor/stuntman, Veteran, triple amputee, Ambassador Gary Sinise Foundation Andy Murray: Chef Murray Bros Caddyshack Rosemont James VanOsdol: 97.9 WLUP, Car Con Carne Podcast VENUES Ruffled Feathers Golf Course, Quarry Pub and Grill BANDS Southside Jake, Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, Bad Medicine, Humpback Wail SPONSORS Headline Sponsor: Magnetrol International Inc. Mellow Yellow Restaurant, William Murray Golf, Munster Donut, Calumet Bakery SUPPORTERS F45 Training Downers Grove, Mission One, Croft Enterprises, Union House Distilling Co., Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks LIVE COVERAGE On Tap Sports Net, Car Con Carne |
Sep. 28, 2019: Read about Brent Sopel's actions to champion helping those with dyslexia while engaging with federal politicians to improve awareness of dyslexia and the impact it has on individuals and society. "Nine years after Cup win, Brent Sopel has become a dyslexia champion and political activist" by Ben Pope from the Chicago Sun Times.
Aug. 5, 2019: The Dyslexia Community Lost a Great Teacher
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kris Sonnenberg. Kris was a valuable member of the Brent Sopel Foundation. Being trained in the Wilson method, Kris provided 1 on 1 tutoring to several students. The results were nothing short of amazing. Her hard work and dedication to improving the lives of these young scholars was truly inspiring. Kris’s mission to help others was not lost upon her passing, as an organ donor all 7 vital organs have found a new host, positively impacting those families as she has done for ours. Our hearts and prayers are with her three children, parents and friends. Kris will remain a guiding light in our hearts now and forever. Rest in Peace Kris and thank you for all you’ve done for our organization, the dyslexia community and the children we serve. You will be missed.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kris Sonnenberg. Kris was a valuable member of the Brent Sopel Foundation. Being trained in the Wilson method, Kris provided 1 on 1 tutoring to several students. The results were nothing short of amazing. Her hard work and dedication to improving the lives of these young scholars was truly inspiring. Kris’s mission to help others was not lost upon her passing, as an organ donor all 7 vital organs have found a new host, positively impacting those families as she has done for ours. Our hearts and prayers are with her three children, parents and friends. Kris will remain a guiding light in our hearts now and forever. Rest in Peace Kris and thank you for all you’ve done for our organization, the dyslexia community and the children we serve. You will be missed.
July 13, 2019: Brent Sopel Visits Lawmakers in Washington D.C. for Dyslexia Panel
Recently Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman invited Brent Sopel, along with dyslexic students, their educators and doctors from around the country, to the nation's capital to spread awareness about America's most common learning disability. Brent was proud to represent both the Brent Sopel Foundation and the Dyslexic Community during the panel in Washington D.C. Brent knows first-hand how difficult overcoming Dyslexia can be, and he knows the potential that can be unlocked once Dyslexia is overcome with appropriate teaching methods such as the Wilson Method. As Brent stated during the panel, "There are some brilliant people in this world that are getting let down that can change everything." To read more about the panel in our nation's capital, click here for a news article by KXNet. Please help fund Teachers who provide Wilson Method instruction to Dyslexic Students by Donating to the Brent Sopel Foundation by clicking here or on our Donate button in the menu.
Recently Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman invited Brent Sopel, along with dyslexic students, their educators and doctors from around the country, to the nation's capital to spread awareness about America's most common learning disability. Brent was proud to represent both the Brent Sopel Foundation and the Dyslexic Community during the panel in Washington D.C. Brent knows first-hand how difficult overcoming Dyslexia can be, and he knows the potential that can be unlocked once Dyslexia is overcome with appropriate teaching methods such as the Wilson Method. As Brent stated during the panel, "There are some brilliant people in this world that are getting let down that can change everything." To read more about the panel in our nation's capital, click here for a news article by KXNet. Please help fund Teachers who provide Wilson Method instruction to Dyslexic Students by Donating to the Brent Sopel Foundation by clicking here or on our Donate button in the menu.
The Brent Sopel Foundation provides funds to address the needs of students with dyslexia. Students whose families do not have the financial resources to pay for interventions receive services at no cost. Thanks to our initial group of donors for making this possible.
There are many ways to support the Brent Sopel Foundation
- Create a Scholarship named for a loved one
- Consider a planned giving gift
- Create a scholarships to support students located in specific city or school district
- Go to the Donate Now button to donate
- Send a check to: Brent Sopel Foundation, 820 N. Ridge Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5348