By: Mundra Turtogtokh, Development Associate
This September, I will be attending my very first Environmental Leadership Dinner, and it just so happens to be IEC’s 50th Golden Anniversary Celebration. On Friday, September 19, at the Hilton Chicago, our community will come together to honor IEC’s five decades of environmental leadership and collective impact across Illinois.
As someone who recently moved to Chicago, I feel incredibly grateful to begin my journey here at such a milestone moment. Preparing for this year’s silent auction has been both exciting and deeply personal. These items do not just represent experiences or treasures, they also reflect the generosity of Illinoisans and the environmental values that bind everyone together. For me, they have become a window into discovering my new home city and a way to connect with the community that has welcomed me so warmly.
I hope you will join me by placing a bid online now through 8:30 pm on Friday, September 19. Together, we can celebrate 50 years of IEC while supporting the critical work of safeguarding Illinois’ environment for generations to come.
Here are five items that I am especially thrilled about:
1) One-Year Membership at the Chicago Tool Library
Donated by: The Chicago Tool Library | Value: $100 | Starting bid: $40 | Bid here
Since moving into my apartment, I have been assembling furniture and fixing things, only to realize I often lack that one crucial tool. The Chicago Tool Library, located in West Garfield Park, offers the perfect solution: borrowing instead of buying. Their nonprofit lending library includes thousands of items, from hand tools and table saws to camping gear and even ice cream makers. What excites me most is the sustainable aspect. By sharing resources, we reduce the manufacturing footprint of tools and divert unwanted items from landfills. Plus, I love that they host free community events where neighbors come together to learn, repair, and connect. For someone like me, settling into Chicago, it is the perfect blend of practicality, sustainability, and community.
2) Refurbished Schwinn Breeze Bicycle
Donated by: Working Bikes | Value: $250 | Starting bid: $125 | Bid here
Before moving to Chicago, I lived in places where cars were essential. Here, I have been eager to embrace biking as a way of exploring the city. On my first walk along the Lakefront Trail, I wished I had a bike to take in the skyline and lakefront breeze all at once. This sunflower yellow Schwinn Breeze is beyond special. It rolled out of the factory in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood in February 1973, just two years before IEC was founded. Restored to perfection by the team at Working Bikes, it rides as smoothly today as it did 50 years ago. With its original manual included, this bike is not just transportation. It is a piece of history that connects Chicago’s past to our present.
3) Five-Day Stay in Naples, Florida
Donated by: The Honorable Karen May | Value: $3,000 | Starting bid: $1,000 | Bid here
Everyone has warned me about the infamous Chicago winters. While I take pride in having grown up with Siberian winds and braving the cold with resilience, I certainly would not turn down a few days of sunshine. This beautiful Naples home, graciously donated by The Honorable Karen May, is flanked by calm waters and miles of white “sugar” sand beaches. As someone who studied in Los Angeles, I often miss the rhythm of the ocean, and this package feels like a chance to balance my love of winter with a much-needed coastal retreat. It is especially meaningful that Karen May, who has championed Illinois’ environment for decades and continues to serve our community through both her leadership on the IEC Board and her role on the 50th Dinner Committee, contributed this generous gift to our golden anniversary celebration.
4) Rep. Theresa Mah’s Homemade Sourdough Bread
Donated by: State Representative Theresa Mah | Value: priceless | Starting bid: $100 | Bid here
I have always loved sourdough bread, and I have long wanted to try baking my own starter but never quite knew where to begin. This package makes that possible by including a loaf of Representative Mah’s homemade sourdough along with her recipe and starter so the tradition can continue in your own kitchen. It is both delicious and a doorway into learning the craft of sourdough baking.
Equally exciting for me is Rep. Mah’s homemade Sichuan spice chili oil, which brings heat and depth to nearly any dish. I can already picture drizzling it over chicken, stirring it into noodle soup, tossing it with salads, or serving it with dumplings. Together, these offerings capture both comfort and bold flavor, and they make these items a true standout.
5) A Day at the Chicago Botanic Garden for Four
Donated by: Chicago Botanic Garden | Value: $225 | Starting bid: $80 | Bid here
Nature has always been a place where I find clarity and gratitude. As I continue to get to know Illinois, I am especially eager to spend time at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This package for four is more than an outing. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and be inspired by the beauty of our environment. For me, it is a reminder of why IEC’s mission matters so deeply: so that future generations can continue to find peace, joy, and renewal in Illinois’ natural spaces.
About the Author:
Mundra recently joined the Illinois Environmental Council as Development Associate, where she combines her passion for creative problem solving with a commitment to strengthening environmental fundraising. In her role, she works to build efficient processes and foster strong donor relationships, ensuring that IEC’s community of supporters has a meaningful and rewarding experience as valued partners in advancing environmental progress across Illinois.