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<div>For the past 13 years, Peter Thomas, affectionately known as Pilot Pete, has been the heart and soul of Pilot Pete’s Coffee and Treats, serving not just some of the best coffee in Elmhurst but also becoming a beacon of kindness, community, and generosity.
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<div>More than just a coffee shop, Pilot Pete’s is a hub of positivity, where customers are greeted with smiles, creative drinks, and a warm atmosphere that feels like home. But what truly sets Peter apart is his unwavering dedication to giving back. From organizing one of the largest coat drives in Chicagoland to transforming a 26-foot moving truck into a "coat café" to personally serve the homeless, Peter has consistently gone above and beyond for those in need.
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<div>His contributions have been celebrated in countless articles and recognized across Illinois. Whether it's partnering with local businesses, hosting fundraisers, or delivering coats, food, and coffee to tent cities during the harsh Chicago winters, Peter’s work has touched the lives of thousands. And he’s done it all with humility, never asking for anything in return.
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<div>But now, Peter needs our help.
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<div>On September 11, 2024, Just three weeks after purchasing his dream pickup truck, Peter’s world was turned upside down. A motorist without headlights pulled out in front of him, causing a devastating accident that totaled the truck. Miraculously, Peter walked away with only a few scratches, but the driver was uninsured, leaving Peter without a vehicle and still owing $17,000 on a truck he no longer has. Since then he has been renting vehicles for work and events.
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<div>This truck wasn’t just a vehicle—it was an essential tool for Peter’s business and community outreach. From delivering coffee and supplies to events, to transporting donations for his coat drive, Peter relied on his truck daily. Without it, he’s facing an uphill battle to continue the incredible work he’s done for so many years.
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<div>As Peter’s sister, I’m reaching out to all of you, our Elmhurst family, friends, and the community. For over a decade, Peter has been there for us, creating magic and joy for so many. Now it’s our turn to be there for him.
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<div>Let’s come together to help Peter purchase a new, reliable truck so he can keep spreading his kindness and doing what he loves: making a difference. Any contribution, big or small, will help Peter rebuild and get back on the road, ready to continue his mission of giving back to others.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for showing Peter the same love and generosity he’s shared with so many of us. Let’s remind him just how much he means to our community.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Haley Hogan (Pete’s sister)
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<div>And the entire Pilot Pete’s Coffee family
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<div>P.S. Please share this message with others who know and love Pete or believe in the power of giving back. Together, we can help him get back on the road and keep making Elmhurst—and beyond—a better place!
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Help Pilot Pete Rebuild After Devastating Accident

<div>This week my family received the worst news imaginable. After multiple blood tests, my beloved five-year-old niece, Mia Grace Garcia, was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This disease is something that no one should have to face, especially children- the most innocent among us. Mia is so pure. She is the most caring, compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful child that I have ever met. Since she was born, Mia has always been a beautiful light in our lives- a ball of energy. Mia is a true lover of people, always thinking of others before herself and finding ways to help those in need. To know Mia is to love Mia.
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<div>With all that personality and energy, this news was an unexpected blow to the gut. Mia has always been healthy, acting like your typical preschooler. Until the past month, when Mia was constantly tired, weak, and irritable due to being sick and in pain for nearly six weeks. Mia's mother and father took her to the doctor's office, urgent care, and emergency room multiple times. Still, each time she was sent home with antibiotics for viruses. However, Mia's parents knew in their hearts that there was more to this than just a viral infection. After another long night in the emergency room, Mia was transported to a specialist. She received additional tests and was officially diagnosed. 
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<div>As you can imagine, our family's heart sank upon finding out about this devastating news. We knew our sweet, loving little girl was about to face the most difficult time of her life. Not only has this been tough on us, but it has been even tougher on Mia. She continues to deal with severe pain due to the leukemia levels in her bones while processing her disease and staying strong during her treatment.
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<div>This is a true test of our faith, but we believe that with the help of God, Mia will overcome this. But unfortunately, this is still just the beginning of a long, challenging journey. This has been especially hard for Mia's parents, who have just received the heartbreaking news of their daughter's health. As a result, all their attention and focus is on Mia. But before they know it, they will be hit with medical expenses, all while trying to adjust to their new norm. Making things more stressful, Mia and her family are still moving into their newly purchased home that they have been in for less than a month. When they are discharged, Mia's mother, Jasmin, will be taking an unpaid leave from work to stay home with Mia while she cannot attend school. Losing that source of income will have a massive impact on their finances, but there is not much else they can do in this situation.
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<div>We ask if you can help during this tough time; our family would be so grateful. If you cannot, we understand. Please share this link as much as possible, and please keep Mia and our family in your prayers. Thank you so much for your support.
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Mia's Mission to Beat Childhood Cancer

My husband David and I and are creating this page on behalf of his aunt Mary and cousin Sandy Swietlik who were recently affected by a condominium fire in Des Plaines, Illinois. <br /><br />On September 16th, 2018, building 9396 at The Landings in Des Plaines, Illinois broke fire at 7:42a.m. The fire started on the 6th floor of the building and immediately spread to the rest of the building.  Every single resident is now homeless and lost every single possession they owned, including vehicles that were parked underneath the building.  Sandy and Mary were among these residents. They were able to grab their dog Travis, but unfortunately lost every single item they owned in this fire. Just imagine losing EVERYTHING! Though we are truly blessed to have them safe and sound, it is simply heartbreaking knowing how hard they’ve worked all their lives to now lose it all. <br /> <br />As our dear Sandy and Mary rebuild their lives, we are humbly requesting the support of our friends and family on donations that may help them through this long road ahead. We rise by lifting others, so let’s come together and give this deserving family a helping hand. <br /><br /> Thank you so much!

Devastating Fire Takes It All

Kelly Schroeder

My 4th and 5th grade students are thrilled to attend our after-school LEGO Club, where they dive into computer science and engineering through hands-on LEGO challenges. As they design, build, and problem-solve together, students are developing creativity, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills in an engaging, joyful environment. Many of my students come from low-income households and have limited access to enrichment opportunities like this outside of school, making this club especially meaningful and impactful for them. 
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 We are asking for donations to help us purchase the final 4 LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Sets needed so every student in our after-school LEGO Club can fully participate. These last sets will make the difference between sharing limited materials and ensuring all students have equal access to hands-on learning. The LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Sets engage students in playful, meaningful investigations of STEAM concepts while strengthening skills in literacy, math, and social-emotional development. Through building, coding, and problem-solving, students gain confidence as learners and creators. These sets provide more than just materials—they create opportunities for collaboration, communication, perseverance, and teamwork. The skills students develop while working together with these sets will support them not only in school, but throughout their lives. 
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 Not all students have access to materials like LEGO robotics kits or coding programs at home. With your support, our after-school LEGO Club can provide these hands-on learning tools to students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to explore them. Your donation helps ensure that every child, regardless of background, can engage in high-interest, high-impact learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and a love of problem-solving. Your support will make a real difference for our club.

Help Our Lego Club Get SPIKE Essential Sets

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Kelly Schroeder

Kelly Schroeder

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Help Our Lego Club Get SPIKE Essential Sets

Help Pilot Pete Rebuild After Devastating Accident

Mia's Mission to Beat Childhood Cancer

Devastating Fire Takes It All

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