3 events | 300 children received educational sets | 13 scholarships funded
3 events
300 children received educational sets
13 scholarships funded
300 children received educational sets
13 scholarships funded
Behind each of these numbers is a community that came together to support students across Türkiye. Take a closer look at the events and campaigns that made it possible.
ODTÜMİST Marathon Scholarship Campaign
As part of the inaugural BTF Marathon launched in November 2025, the BTF Chicago Circle took to the streets in the ODTÜMİST Marathon Scholarship Campaign, lacing up and logging miles to support education in Türkiye. Volunteers’ combined dedication was enough to fully fund a one-year scholarship for a student in Türkiye, giving that individual the chance to continue their education and pursue new opportunities. It was a simple but powerful reminder that something as ordinary as a run can carry extraordinary weight when it’s tied to purpose.
Elenas’s & Henry’s Fundraisers for Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, Elena and Henry sponsored three education kits for the students of Altınşehir Elementary School in Adıyaman, reaching 300 children. Their generosity provided special education supplies that nurture cognitive, social, emotional, and motor development through play-based learning, from memory and problem-solving activities to creative tools like coloring books and playdough that spark imagination and strengthen coordination.
They also sponsored a collection of cognitive training games that sharpen critical thinking and mathematical understanding while making learning feel like play. Finally, their support brought a full set of sports equipment, including soccer, volleyball, and basketball gear, jump ropes, exercise mats, a basketball hoop, and a first aid kit, giving students the chance to stay active, build teamwork, and enjoy physical education safely. Together, Elena and Henry’s generosity is transforming classrooms at Altınşehir Elementary into vibrant spaces where curiosity thrives and every child has the opportunity to grow holistically.
They also sponsored a collection of cognitive training games that sharpen critical thinking and mathematical understanding while making learning feel like play. Finally, their support brought a full set of sports equipment, including soccer, volleyball, and basketball gear, jump ropes, exercise mats, a basketball hoop, and a first aid kit, giving students the chance to stay active, build teamwork, and enjoy physical education safely. Together, Elena and Henry’s generosity is transforming classrooms at Altınşehir Elementary into vibrant spaces where curiosity thrives and every child has the opportunity to grow holistically.
Cinema4aCause: Empire of the Rabbits
On May 1, 2026, BTF Chicago volunteers welcomed the community for an evening of connection and purpose as part of the Cinema4aCause series, held in support of girls’ education in rural Türkiye. Guests gathered for a screening of “Empire of the Rabbits,” directed by Seyfettin Tokmak, but for many the evening became something more than a film. “It was like seeing a family come together,” said Van Le, a first-time attendee. Others came for the film and discovered the deeper purpose behind it. “I wanted to see Empire of the Rabbits, and I realized it’s also a fundraiser, but it was a worthwhile fund,” said Matt, a long-time attendee, on discovering Cinema4aCause. The event was honored by the presence of Tahir Bora Atatanır, Consul General of Türkiye in Chicago, who joined the community in celebrating the evening’s cause. Attendees rallied behind the cause, and their contributions secured annual scholarships for 12 students, giving girls the chance to stay in school and pursue futures shaped by their own ambitions rather than circumstance.
Get Involved with the Chicago Circle
Want to be part of what comes next? Connect with the BTF Chicago Giving Circle to learn more about their work, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.
Want to organize an event? Learn more.