Giving Back, Building Community

At AV Chicago, being part of the community isn’t a side initiative — it’s simply how we operate. The places we work, gather, and grow matter to us, and we’ve always believed that if you’re fortunate enough to build a business in a community, you should show up for it in meaningful ways.

Over the years, that’s meant turning our own company moments into opportunities to give back. From toy drives at our annual holiday party to summer collections of school supplies and clothing, the AV Chicago team has consistently found ways to support the neighborhoods that make Chicago what it is.

One effort that stood out was during Thanksgiving, when the entire AV Chicago team came together to assemble 100 winter care bags for The Night Ministry. Each bag was filled with essentials — including tissues, hand sanitizer, and warm clothing — and distributed to support individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the city. It was a simple effort, but one that reflected what we value most: showing up when it matters.

AV Chicago is also a longtime supporter of Collaboration Theatre Company, a Chicago-based nonprofit that uses the performing arts to promote social justice and amplify youth voices. President and owner Justin Frick previously served as the organization’s board president and continues to serve as a board member today. Through ongoing in-kind donations of equipment, production support, and event assistance, AV Chicago has helped Collaboration bring important stories to the stage and into the community.

Giving Back to Maywood — Our New Home

When AV Chicago relocated to Maywood, the focus was on building relationships and understanding how we could be a positive presence in the community. Presidents and owners Justin Frick and Andrew Brode met with local leaders and organizations to listen, learn, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

As part of those conversations, AV Chicago offered the use of its facility to the Maywood Chamber of Commerce for potential board meetings and community events, as well as production support for future initiatives. We also made a donation to Proviso East High School, located just across the street, to help support the launch of a new educational curriculum.

Our annual holiday toy drive remained an important tradition during this time. In partnership with the Maywood Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Maywood-Proviso, AV Chicago employees and guests gathered toys to donate to local families in need during the holiday season.

Looking ahead, AV Chicago hopes to continue hosting food and clothing drives and exploring additional ways to support the Maywood community. With the space and resources at our new facility, we see opportunities to assist with drive-in distributions and other initiatives as community needs arise. Giving back isn’t something we do for recognition — it’s part of who we are, and it’s something we intend to keep doing as we grow.