The Family of Lisa Ruttenberg Stebic would like to announce

a special event to remember and honor Lisa on the one-year anniversary of her disappearance.

There will be a Fundraiser Walk in Plainfield, IL

benefiting the Guardian Angel Community Services of Joliet

*in Partnership with the Exchange Club of Plainfield

Where: Village Green, 648 West Chicago Street, Plainfield, IL

(Mapquest link of Village Green location)

When: 1:00 pm Sunday, April 27th
Registration begins at 12:00

Same day registration $20 per individual, $35 for a family.

Post-Walk Live ConcertCome enjoy the music of Joe Cantafio of 101^st Rock Division at Front Street Cantina restaurant at about 3 pm.  Admission is free but a donation of $5 per family is requested with proceeds going to Guardian Angel services. Cantafio is an accomplished artist who with 101^st Rock Division entertains troops throughout the world. (www.joecantafio.com/).

The one year anniversary of the disappearance of Lisa Ruttenberg Stebic is fast approaching. Lisa went missing without a trace on April 30^th, 2007. Lisa’s parents and family have decided that they would like to give back to the community that has done so much for our family. To remember Lisa, we are holding a Fundraiser Walk called “Lisa’s Walk for Guardian Angel Community Services“ on Sunday, April 27^th.

The purpose of Lisa’s Walk will be to remember Lisa Stebic, to raise awareness of domestic violence and to assist in the prevention of future domestic violence by donating the proceeds from this event to the Guardian Angel’s Community Services’ Groundwork Domestic Violence Program, Sexual Assault Service Center and Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

April is National Child Abuse Awareness month, and the newly chartered Plainfield Exchange Club will partner with Lisa’s family to hold this event. Exchange Clubs is known as America’s service club whose members make a difference within their communities through programs of service in Americanism, youth, community service and their National program of preventing child abuse.

Guardian Angel Community Services, formerly Guardian Angel Home, was founded in Joliet in 1897 as an orphanage, run by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Mary Immaculate. Guardian Angel Community Services offer Domestic Violence crisis services, counseling, foster care and many domestic and child abuse prevention programs. They strive to help victims become survivors.

“The first anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance will be very difficult for our family. We have chosen to honor her by doing something positive for the community. We hope to raise awareness about domestic violence and child abuse, and raise donations for an organization, Guardian Angel, that works to prevent abuse and offers many services for victims.” – Melanie Greenberg, family spokesperson

The Plainfield Exchange Club encourages area businesses to become sponsors of the event.

“As our first signature fundraising event, it is a tremendous honor and privilege to assist Lisa’s family while also building awareness of the domestic violence and child abuse prevention and counseling services that are provided through the Guardian Angel Community Services organization.” - Dave Wentz, Lincolnland Exchange Clubs District President and co-founder of the Exchange Club of Plainfield.

Email us at findlisastebic@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor for the event.  Some extra t-shirts will be available for same day registration, but will be first-come, first served while they last.

If you cannot attend, but would still like to make a donation, please send your donation here:

 Lincolnland Foundation for Youth

Attn:  Robert Epley

First Midwest Bank

24509 W. Lockport Street

Plainfield, IL 60544

The families of Stacy Peterson and Lisa Stebic  want to sincerely thank all those who attended the organized a search on Saturday, December 1st for our two missing loved ones.

We had the privilege of meeting many of you  at both the command center for volunteers at the Westbrook Church in  Bolingbrook, IL….and out in the freezing cold search areas.

We hope that the  “FindLisaStebic” handwarmers (which we also distributed in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan - on opening day of Deer Hunting Season)  warmed both the hands and the hearts all those people who attended the search & prayer vigil for Stacy and Lisa,  last Saturday.

Know that we appreciate, beyond words, the opportunity of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Stacy’s wonderful family, friends & supporters - in trying to find resolution in these two heartbreaking cases.

Their parallel lives as young, abused mothers who go missing while trying to separate from their controlling husbands is a tragedy which the Communities of both Plainfield and Bolingbrook now share. 

May they both be found soon…so that all may find solace through answers. 

Lisa Stebic Golf Fundraiser – Saturday, November 3, 2007

Walnut Greens Golf Club in Schaumburg, IL. 
 

On a beautiful but brisk November day, Walnut Greens, a nine hole – par 27 golf course, hosted a 4 person scramble golf tournament with the proceeds going to benefit the Lisa Stebic and Children’s Fund.  

There were 30 golfers and several volunteers helping sell raffle tickets for the many donated prizes.

Through all the participants and volunteers generosity we collected $1021.00. A concerted effort by many helped make this a great success when you consider the obstacles of hosting a golf event in November from an idea conceived a week earlier. 

We gathered to have fun and play golf, but more so, we came together to fight for a sister, mother, daughter and friend who has simply vanished.  We need to find answers; we need to bring Lisa home. 

Hopefully this small gesture to help bolster the Reward/Children’s Fund will in some way be part of a resolution.  If nothing else, it will serve as a message of love and support to all those fighting for Lisa.

Keep up the good fight! 

Melanie Greenberg appears on Reid Paxson’s show on Plainfield Community Channel 6 on Friday, Nov. 2nd at 7 p.m. The program repeats on Saturday afternoon.http://www.plainfieldtv.com/

The FOX News Lineup appearance has been cancelled for Saturday.

Thank you to the Naperville Sun for these beautiful pictures from the prayer vigil October 30th.

Jamie Bouma and Debbie Ruttenberg, sisters of Lisa Stebic, pray for her return at a vigil Tuesday night. Between them is Jamie’s husband John Bouma.

Thank you to Lisa’s neighbors and friends for the beautiful way you decorated the gazebo.

Sisters of Lisa Stebic, a Plainfield woman missing since April 30, pray for her return during a vigil marking the six-months since her disappearance, held near Stebic’s home in Plainfield Tuesday evening. The sisters are from right Jamie Bouma and Debbie Ruttenberg. Behind Jamie is her husband John Bouma. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer, Naperville Sun)

The grandfather of Lisa Stebic, Milton Ruttenberg, 93, center, is comforted by relatives during a prayer vigil near her Plainfield home marking the six months since her disappearance. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer)

Neighbors of missing Plainfield mom Lisa Stebic, Bob Yackley and his daughter Claire, 12, take part at Tuesday’s prayer vigil. “I prayed mostly for (the Stebic’s) children,” said Yackley. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer)

Milton Ruttenberg, right, the grandfather of missing Plainfield woman Lisa Stebic, is comforted by Stebic’s cousin Mark Greenberg during a prayer vigil marking the six months since Stebic’s disappearance. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer)

Charlotte Ruttenberg, center, the grandmother of missing Plainfield woman, Lisa Stebic, embraces Debbie Ruttenberg, Stebic’s sister during a prayer vigil marking the six months since Stebic’s disappearance. At right is Stebic’s sister Jamie Bouma. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer)

Lisa Tarson of Deerfield, whose husband is a cousin of missing Plainfield woman Lisa Stebic, looks at photos of Stebic and her sisters during a prayer vigil marking the six months since Stebic’s disappearance. “I love looking at the pictures and remembering them,” said Tarson. (Danielle Gardner/Staff Photographer)

Lisa Michelle Ruttenberg Stebic’s family held a prayer vigil for Lisa on the 6 month anniversary of her disappearance on Tuesday, October 30th at 7:30 p.m . The prayer vigil was conducted in the gazebo in the park at the end of Red Star Drive near the Stebic home in Plainfield, the same site as previous vigils.

A brief service was conducted by a rabbi, a friend of Lisa’s family.  We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, all those who came to help us remember Lisa that emotional & touching evening.

Our media advisor - Leigh Harris, who from Phoenix, has helped Lisa’s family organize many community events for Lisa, thanks us for remembering her friend Martha Moxley on that evening, as well.

October 30th marked 32 years since the night Martha was murdered by Michael Skakel in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Should you wish to learn more about Martha’s story - please go to http://marthamoxley.com

Barks for Butterflies !!!  

On Sunday, October 28th - the fundraiser for the Lisa Stebic and Childrens Fund at Biscuits & Bows Grooming and Wellness Center in Palatine - raised over $2,100.

We thank EVERYONE who brought their pets to the center for a dog wash or  pet spa treatment!

Many had their pets seen by Animal Massage Therapist Laurie Kay or Animal Communicator and Reiki Master Rebecca Morvack.

Our sincere thanks go to Michelle or Karen at Biscuits & Bows for staging this heartfelt event for Lisa’s Reward Fund..and involving a subject near & dear to Lisa’s heart - the love of animals !

Here is what Michelle of Biscuit & Bows wrote to us, following the fundraiser:

“Sunday’s fundraiser was a success!!  We raised over $2,100  and counting.  We will be leaving the donation bottles in our front lobby and will continue to sell the remaining jewelry.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to honor Lisa.”

Biscuits & Bows
1945 Plum Grove Rd
(Squire Shopping Center)
(northwest corner of Euclid & Plum Grove Road)
Palatine, Illinois 60067
847-202-PUPS (7877)

CBS network’s  ”Without a Trace” crime show  featured Lisa Stebic, missing now over five months.

After the FBI added Lisa to their missing persons website, the Without a Trace program chose Lisa’s picture to show towards the end of their program on October 11th. Without a Trace airs at 9:00 p.m. Central time.

The CBS Early Show  then broadcast an interview with Lisa’s sister Jamie Bouma on Friday morning, October 12th…in hopes of bringing in new leads as to the whereabouts of of Plainfield’s Missing Mother of Two.

To see this insightful interview by CBS national correspondent Cynthia Bowers - please go to our Recent News and Press page.

There was an amazing response to the Shorewood benefit garage sale for the Lisa Stebic and Childrens Fund! The garage sale raised $2225! Thank you so much to everyone who donated items, who volunteered their time or who came an shopped!

Everyone was amazed with the quantity of items donated, and Karen’s neighbors were also amazed at the quantity of people this Benefit has brought to their neighborhood. Karen Jahnke told us there were so many items her driveway and garage began to look like a flea market and it spilled over into a neighbor’s yard. We had some really great people that donated great raffle baskets along with the Chicago Cubs ball.

But the biggest thanks goes to Karen Jahnke. We don’t know how she does it! Lisa’s family wants to express how much your hard work has meant to us and how it touched our hearts.

Thank you to all these great donation volunteers & those who made monetary donations:

Kathy Vocu ~~~ from Joliet

Gina Foote & neighbors ~~~ New Lenox
Lisa’s Aunt Diana & Uncle ~~~
Jody Kmetz ~~~ Aurora
Barb & Greg Scheff ~~~ Bolingbrook

Tracy Pavlson ~~~ Naperville

Sylvie Kemp ~~~ Plainfield
Wendy Jomant ~~~ Plainfield (from Lincoln Elementary)

Thomas Davenport ~~~ Wilmington

Chris Kraft ~~~ Shorewood

Debbie Stewart ~~~ Oak Park

Kerri Goodwin ~~~ Shorewood
Jenni Riley ~~~ Shorewood

Elizabeth Bledsoe ~~~ Shorewood

The Ambrozich Family ~~~ Shorewood

Julissa Dailey ~~~ Shorewood

Dawn & Larry Hull ~~~ Shorewood

Lydia B. ~~~ Plainfield ( Nature’s Crossing)

Margie Kosinski ~~~ Plainfield ( Nature’s Crossing)

Will County Mother of Twins Club ~~~ Will County area

Betty ~~~ Joliet

Deana Justak ~~~ Shorewood

Missy Stack ~~~ Shorewood

The Greenberg Family ~~~ ( Lisa’s family)

Jeff & Jeanette Armitage ~~~ Naperville

Paula Bosak ~~~ Shorewood

Charlotte Kic ~~~ Shorewood

Jennifer Koss ~~~ Joliet

The Ritchey Family ~~~ Shorewood

Thank you for the wonderful raffle basket donations:

At Home America basket ~~~ By Gina Foote of New Lenox
Creating Your Style basket ~~~~ By Barb Scheff of Bolingbrook
Pampered Chef basket ~~~ By Kerri Ciesla of Shorewood

Autographed baseball by ‘Ryan Dempster’ ~~~~ By the Chicago Cubs

Floral Arrangement ~~~~ By Vicki from Heavenly Creations Design of Shorewood
Premier Jewelry $25.00 gift certificate & Jewelry cleaner ~~~ by Julie from Plainfield

The winners of these wonderful baskets are:

Judy Thayer ~ At Home America basket
Lisa ~ Creating Your Style basket

Gina Faught ~ Heavenly Creations floral arrangement

Annie & Ralph Johnson ~ Ryan Dempster autographed Cubs baseball

Kathleen Goeken ~ Pampered Chef basket

Deb Miklic ~ Premier Designs gift card & Jewelry cleaner

Message from Garage Sale organizer Karen Jahnke:

The Lisa Stebic Garage Sale Benefit in Shorewood turned out to be a huge response! Thank you to all who donated your garage sale goods, we could not have done this without you! Thank you to all who shopped and spread the word about this huge sale, we had people come from here to West Chicago to even Gurnee! We are very grateful of the support & kind words you shared, and the generous amount of donations that you made to helping us find our Lisa, along with your garage sale purchases.

Thank you to all of those who volunteered to helping me make this garage sale such a huge monetary success. It is very sad how we have to be brought together under these circumstances, but very heartwarming to be together doing this special deed for our friend/family member Lisa Stebic.

Thank you to my husband, Chris Jahnke, my kids Ryna & Riley, many friends, Tammi Watson, Debbie Zolnierowicz, Annette & Vince Glascow, Debbie and Sami Herrero, Hazbi, Taylor Glascow, Barb Scheff, Kerri Ciesla, Michelle Wrobel, Laurrie & Jim Beingenheimer, Jenny Beingenheimer, Rachel Weber, Lisa’s Aunt ~ Marlene Greenberg, Lisa’s sister ~ Debbie Ruttenberg. Thank you all for all of your help in setting up this massive garage sale, or helping with all the long hours of working it. I could never have done this alone, with the crowd that we had. We are all a great team and their are even many more out there in this Lisa Stebic Army~ WE WILL stay strong & POSITIVE & WE WILL find what happened to our Lisa, We will have closure! It is my honor to be able to have taken on this very long exhausting mission to make this garage sale a successful one along with the many others & I am glad I was able to help in such a big way, my heart feels very happy to be able to do this for Lisa’s children. You both will always be in my heart! Again, Thank you cannot be said enough!!

Karen Jahnke

Barb & Gregg Scheff  hosted the latest “Find Lisa Stebic Garage Sale” at their home in Bolingbrook,  last weekend …bringing in $1,541.

This wondrous gift from the community has now brought Lisa’s Reward Fund to OVER $70,000 !!!!

Barb wrote this to Lisa’s family and friends: 

“The garage sale was a success and people are supportive. We made $ 1541.00 plus lot’s of change.

There were some people that just stopped by to talk about Lisa and give their love and support.  

Everyone Loves LISA!  I know for me that I have no doubt that she was an Angel and was very much loved.  

Being so close to Lisa’s family and friends, my husband and I feel like we were blessed in knowing Lisa, her family and friends are AMAZING people.

If you notice in the pictures that we had people shopping in the dark, we also had children that would come up and ask their parents if they could have some money to just donated to help find Lisa.”

Lisa’s family cannot thank enough  all those who have organized, worked and supported the many “Find Lisa” Garage Sales staged in Naperville, Plainfield, Shorewood & Bolingbrook.

Your dedication, hard work and focus on helping to Find Lisa Stebic has been beyond phenomenal (superhuman, more like!)

We KNOW she is out there…waiting to be found.

We just need to entice that ONE person to come forward and tell us WHERE she is…and the reward fund is a key component to making that happen! 

Please see below the many members of “Lisa’s Army” who made this past weekend’s FLS garage sale a success (and God Bless each and every one of you!)

************************

Thank you for your Support and Donation’s

Joe Borsche                                        Bolingbrook   

Karen Janke                                        Shorewood

Tammy Watson                                  Plainfield

Gigi Abogado  & Family                     Bolingbrook

Marty & Pam Habada                        Bolingbrook

Amanda Ramey                                  Bolingbrook

Roy Denon                                          Plainfield

John Herman                                      Plainfield

Matt                                                    Bolingbrook

Donna Robinson                                Woodridge

Bernie Chesner                                   Plainfield

Donnie Maskeri                                  Romeoville

Leslie Jones                                         Bolingbrook

Volunteers that donated their time and I could not have done it without them, they were amazing!

Tammi Watson

Karen Janke

Laura Burke

And my incredible husband, Greg Scheff