SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (September 4, 2008) – Michael N. Jaffe, president of the Northbrook-based retail development firm The Jaffe Companies, has a successful reputation as a builder of large lifestyle centers in both Illinois and Texas, including Geneva Commons in Geneva. Most recently, he’s garnered additional attention as the owner/developer of The Arboretum of South Barrington, which is kicking off its $1 million grand opening weekend on Sept. 26.
But to his family and the Illinois chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Mr. Jaffe is most appreciated for his vigorous role in supporting research to find a cure for diabetes.
A Personal Connection: His daughter Lilly was diagnosed with diabetes when she was only one month old, but he was determined to help find a cure for her and for the millions of others who suffer with the disease. For six years, he actively served on JDRF’s board of directors, the last five of which were on the executive committee.
While dedicated to his work at JDRF, he learned of a cutting edge medical breakthrough that led to a cure for his daughter’s rare type of diabetes. Two years ago, Lilly was able to transition from a lifetime of insulin dependence to taking pills. Her story made medical history and has been featured on the front pages of The Chicago Tribune, People magazine, and CNN, to name a few.
Because of his daughter’s medical miracle, his family is even more committed to finding cures for other children. It is for this reason that Mr. Jaffe has named the JDRF as the charity partner of The Arboretum Grand Opening, with an established goal of raising $100,000 through several weekend’s events and activities.
How to Help JDRF While Celebrating: During The Arboretum’s Grand Opening weekend, everyone is encouraged to visit the JDRF tent located diagonally across from the Munao Fountain, and participate in events that will raise funds for this worthy organization. Tent hours are Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
“It’s a great way to enjoy The Arboretum while contributing to a great cause,” says Mr. Jaffe. “JDRF has been incredibly significant in our family’s life and in the lives of millions. The Arboretum is thrilled to partner with them for the Ron Santo 30th Anniversary Walk for a Cure.”
Some of the ways you can assist JDRF while having fun at the grand opening include:
• Walk The Arboretum to raise $50 for JDRF – Pick up a walking tour map of The Arboretum at the JDRF tent and enjoy a stroll through the center. Have your map stamped at 10 participating stores along the route, then return it to JDRF when complete. The Arboretum will donate $50 to JDRF for each map completed, until the goal of $100,000 is reached.
• Win Great Prizes - Walk The Arboretum for JDRF and you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win great prizes. Three winners will be drawn each day during Grand Opening. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28
• A Ron Santo autographed baseball
• A Ron Santo autographed bat
• A pair of VIP passes to the Chris Isaak concert
• A $250 gift card for The Arboretum of South Barrington
• One of 5 $50 gift cards for The Arboretum of South Barrington
• Receive a Free Sapling with a donation of any amount to JDRF during the grand opening weekend, while supplies last.
• Sign up for the 30th Annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, October 5.
• Learn more about the work JDRF funds every day around the globe. About 15,000 children are diagnosed each year with type 1 diabetes, while as many as 3 million Americans have this debilitating disease. JDRF, a nonprofit organization founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, has made incredible strides toward finding a cure.
The Arboretum of South Barrington is a 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center under development in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs that opens in September 2008. The open-air center, which broke ground in May 2007, is named for the lush treescapes and gardens of its landscape, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. Among retailers at The Arboretum of South Barrington are three unique anchors, including LL.Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store; the country’s first Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury cinema experience and new way to go to the movies; and Pinstripes, Chicago’s own bowling, bocce and bistro concept. An upscale mix of fashion apparel brands, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailers will occupy spaces set amidst fountains, pathways and plazas -- all less than a mile from the four-way interchange at I-90 ( the region’s major transportation artery), at the highly coveted intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 72. The center is a joint venture between The Jaffe Companies in Northbrook, Ill., and RREEF Alternative Investments, based in New York.
The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum of South Barrington, has been developing successful shopping centers and mixed-use projects for nearly three decades across the US, primarily in the Midwest. Firm principal Michael Jaffe has been involved in several notable projects, including Huebner Oaks Center, a 400,000-square-foot lifestyle center in San Antonio, Texas; Geneva Commons, a 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center in Geneva, Ill; and The Arboretum Shopping Center in Austin, Texas.
RREEF Alternative Investments, the financial partner in developing The Arboretum of South Barrington, is the global alternative investment management business of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division. RREEF Alternative Investments consists of three businesses: Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Equity. Headquartered in New York, RREEF Alternative Investments employs more than 1,400 investment professionals in 17 cities around the world to help investors meet a wide range of objectives – from diversification, to preservation of capital, to long-term performance. Named one of the world’s largest alternative investments managers in Global Investor/Watson Wyatt’s Alternative Survey, June 2008, RREEF has €55.2/$87.0 billion in assets under management worldwide as of June 30th, 2008. For more information, visit www.rreef.com
WEB LINKS:
The Arboretum: www.thearboretumsb.com
PRESS CONTACTS
The Arboretum of South Barrington
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DODIER & COMPANY
800.970.7392 or 520.299.1000