CPM Community Partners, the philanthropic arm of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC (CPM), contributed more than $50,000 to local charities in 2010.

With the goal of primarily supporting youth-focused charities, CPM Community Partners kicked off in June with a visit to the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center (EDYC), located in Chicago ’s historic Bronzeville community. EDYC is part of Chicago Youth Centers, a network of eight community-based youth centers in underserved areas that provide a range of services for children ages 3-18, including pre-school, tutoring and recreational activities. EDYC and CYC shared CPM’s $10,000 donation.

“The highlight of our work with CPM Community Partners is the opportunity to get a closer look at the outstanding work these organizations are doing for the people of Chicago ,” said Chicago Parking Meters CEO Dennis Pedrelli. “We’re looking forward to supporting more projects in 2011.”

In subsequent months, CPM Community Partners made the following donations:

· $10,000 in September to the National Foundation of Teaching Entrepreneurship, which trains instructors to work in high schools across the City of Chicago , helping young people develop entrepreneurial skills that enable them to start their own micro-businesses.

· $10,000 in October to the Avon Foundation for Women’s Breast Cancer Crusade, which supports Chicago facilities like Northwestern Memorial Hospital ’s Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center .

· $10,000 in November to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which now serves one in eight Chicagoans.

· $10,000 in December to Special Olympics Chicago, which featured a visit by LAZ Parking’s Kevin O’Hara, dressed as Santa to the Special Olympics’ snowshoeing and cross-country skiing event at Mann Park .

· Toys for the children and gift bags for the women served by Connections for Abused Women and their Children. Santa and his elves visited the shelter’s holiday party.

CPM Community Partners launched a pilot program in 2009, donating $500 each to nine Chicago organizations: Casa Central, Girls-on-the-Run, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Jane Addams Hull House Association’s Emerge program, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Metropolitan Family Services’ African-American Male Initiative, Mount Sinai Hospital’s Kids Club Holiday Party, the South Side YMCA’s Youth Basketball Association and West Side Pastors’ Alliance Turkey Giveaway.

Santa, aka Kevin O'Hara of LAZ Parking, talks to Special Olympics athletes and coaches during the cross-country skiing and snowshoe competition at Mann Park. CPM Community Partners made a $10,000 donation to Special Olympics Chicago and handed out Santa hats to the athletes.

CPM principals kick off their new philanthropy program with a $10,000 donation to Chicago Youth Centers (CYC), joining CYC officials and 9-to-12-year-old youth at the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center in Bronzeville. L-R EDYC Director Sequane Lawrence; LAZ Parking Regional Vice President Tony DiPaolo, CYC President/CEO Harry Wells, CPM CEO Dennis Pedrelli and CYC VP of Program Operations Bill Hansen.

Participants in Girls on the Run Chicago celebrate the program's 10th anniversary at a 5K race at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. CPM Community Partners dropped by to make a $500 donation.