Passman Family
Supporters from the start, the Passman family has been with Honeycomb Project since the organization was founded in 2011. Allie and Hart Passman’s children, Isabelle and Tyler will be entering fifth and eighth grades this Fall.
“Izi was four when we started volunteering with Honeycomb,” says Allie. “I remember our first projects involved helping in the outdoors and the food pantry…as they aged, Izi (age 13) and Tyler (age 10) started choosing projects that were more meaningful to them.”
Allie says “volunteering really is something our kids have internalized and have taken initiative on.” “Our kids love board games so playing games and music with the seniors at Chicago Housing Authority Lincoln Perry apartments was a hit.” The family also enjoys cooking dinner for those experiencing poverty at The Night Ministry in Wicker Park, sorting home goods at Chicago Furniture Bank and one of the newer Honeycomb projects benefiting Lurie Children’s Hospital, where volunteers make handmade gifts to donate to patients at the hospital. “Honeycomb helps us show the kids different ways to get involved and feel empowered to contribute to their community,” adds Allie. “It’s an opportunity for us to get together as a family and we always have fun.”
Inspired by her involvement with Honeycomb, Izi decided to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah by hosting her own service project party. She invited her friends and family to join her and create artwork to donate to Honeycomb’s partner, Digs for Dignity (a Chicago-based agency that identifies those in need and donates refurbished furniture/home goods to outfit homes). “Izi was aware of Digs for Dignity through Honeycomb events,” says Allie. “So at her Bat Mitzvah, she shared how Honeycomb has impacted her and made her feel proud and confidant that she can make a difference…and then hosted a spray paint party where her friends and family created almost 40 canvases for Digs for Dignity.” Everyone had a great time and “it was amazing to see this group come together for a good cause,” says Allie. “And now her younger brother, Tyler, sees the benefits of watching his sister grow her level of service -- we are so proud of them and feel grateful to be part of the Honeycomb family.”
Outside of attending Honeycomb Project events, the Passman Family keep busy. Allie is a Chief Trial Attorney at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Hart is a partner at Elrod Friedman LLP. Izi enjoys volleyball and acrobatics and Tyler is an avid baseball and Cubs fan. The family lives in Bucktown and loves to travel and explore hiking trails together.