The Danish Home Foundation is excited to announce that Linda Steffensen of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has joined The Danish Home Foundation staff as its new development manager. Linda’s connections to The Danish Home of Chicago and the national Danish-American community run deep.

“I remember coming to The Danish Home as a young girl and folk dancing on The Danish Home patio with the Danish American Athletic Club,” said Linda, who served on The Danish Home of Chicago’s parent board, The Danish Association, for many years and continues her service on the Women’s Auxiliary board of directors.

The Chicago-born daughter of influential Danish immigrants Chris and Elsa Steffensen, Linda is also editor of the oldest Danish-American newspaper in North America, The Danish Pioneer, and U.S. corporate secretary for Rebild National Park Society, Inc.

In addition, the Roosevelt University alumna with a master’s degree in marketing communications is a longtime member of no less than eight prominent Danish-American organizations and currently serves as secretary for some of them. Linda has extended family in Denmark and has visited her homeland more than 25 times. She and her family are longtime supporters of The Danish Home.

“The Danish Home is like a second home to me, and I hope to retire here one day,” Linda said. “It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life to interact with the wonderful Danish Home residents, staff, family and friends through the years, and I look forward to growing The Danish Home Foundation.”

As the new development manager for The Danish Home Foundation, Linda is working with The Danish Home of Chicago staff, board, volunteers and community members to raise $10.5 million in a new capital campaign in support of a building expansion and physical improvements to the home. The campaign also seeks to increase The Danish Home Foundation’s charitable care fund for residents who have exhausted their financial resources.

When fully realized, the fundraising effort will enable The Danish Home to add a spacious dining room overlooking its garden, modernize the kitchen, bring a new dining room and five suites to healthcare on the first floor, and add five new apartments to independent living on the second.

The Danish Home Foundation’s capital campaign appeal is now open to local, national and international donors, with great appreciation of gifts, pledges or bequests in any amount. Gifts to The Danish Home Foundation’s “Our Future in Focus” capital campaign can be made by visiting www.danishhomeofchicago.org or by calling 773-775-7383.