Having Fun While Helping Those in Need

BEAR Construction President/Owner Jim Wienold (center left) and CEO/Owner George Wienold (center right) attend the Ascension Illinois Foundation Golf Classic in August 2020 with Senior Vice President Dennis Hill (left) and Executive Vice President Scott Kurinsky.

BEAR Construction’s philanthropy for the communities served by Ascension Illinois hospitals extends back nearly 30 years and covers virtually all areas of the metro Chicago area. Before the health system came together under the Ascension umbrella, in fact, BEAR’s leaders were involved with Adventist, Alexian Brothers and Presence Health hospitals, and their involvement extends even further back to Resurrection Health Care and Provena Health, before Presence Health was formed.

This summer BEAR Construction is the presenting sponsor for not one, but two 2021 Ascension Illinois Foundation regional golf outings: the July 19 event for the northwest region and the September 20 event for the Chicago region.

BEAR Construction CEO/Owner George Wienold (third from left) golfs with Senior Vice President Dennis Hill, Ascension Illinois President & CEO Keith Parrott and Project Executive Jack Kammerer at the Northwest Regional Golf Outing on July 19, 2021 at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois.

“It’s always been about caring for those in need that couldn’t care for themselves,” said George Wienold, CEO and Owner, BEAR Construction, and Ascension Illinois Foundation Board Member. “It started for us with the Daughters of Charity and Saint Joseph Hospital, and later with the Sisters of Resurrection. There are just as many communities to support now as there were then.”

Each community has its own needs, and supporting the regional events is a way to help meet the needs of individual ministries and communities while also advancing the overall Ascension Illinois mission, said Jim Wienold, President and Owner, BEAR Construction, and Ascension Illinois Foundation Chicago Region Board Member.

BEAR Construction President/Owner Jim Wienold (left) and Todd Piccolo enjoy a round of golf with Thor Thordarson and Ascension Illinois President & CEO Rich Roehr at the Northwest Regional Golf Outing on July 19 in Wheaton, Illinois.

Sponsoring and participating in Ascension Illinois events is also a way for the Wienold brothers to live their values. It allows them to give back and do good in the world. And it allows them to celebrate life with people they care about. When people are together, they’re more joyful and present, excited and engaged, said Jim Wienold. There’s more laughter. It’s more fun.

“There is no more rewarding feeling than to celebrate with a group of fellow colleagues who have all contributed to helping those in need,” said George Wienold.