Tommy’s passions took him many places, but his heart stayed in Cali. In memory of Tom, his family and friends have established a foundation to provide scholarships to students in Cali. We’re working with organizations that were dear to Tom. He was a life long learner whether that was in anthropology, music or cooking. He liked to help others and share in the joy of learning. There are two causes the Foundation will support:
La Fundación Musical El Colectivo
El Colectivo is the local music school where Tom first learned to play Latin jazz and Salsa and met his mentor and friend, Jaime Henao. Many of the members of the Punto Baré Big Band attended the Collectivo. Scholarships are being provided to students at the school, typically younger students with limited means.
Fundación Ser Para Ser
The Ser Para Ser Foundation serves at risk young adults in Cali by providing counseling, mentoring scholarships and business opportunities. The goal is to help young adults from poor areas of Cali to achieve their goals and dreams and to become leaders in their community through a structured program of nurturing and support.
In February 2025, we had the opportunity to visit both of these organizations.
Click here to read more about our visit to Cali.
Donate
The Tom Zahorik Cali Scholarship Foundation is run by Mike Zahorik and Marie Zahorik. We are able to route our donations to the two groups in Cali through the organization, Caring For Colombia. If you would like to donate to the Tom Zahorik Cali Scholarship Foundation, there are two options:
1. For smaller donations, consider sending a check to Mike or Marie Zahorik directly. We will make the donation to Caring For Colombia and can then request a matching grant from corporate sponsors we are affiliated with. We will track all donations.
Checks can be sent to:
Mike Zahorik
327 N Kensington Ave
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Or Venmo @MikeZahorik60; Zelle (7084152087) and add Donation in subject.
2. Donate via Caring For Colombia, a US nonprofit that will pass through donations to the local organizations in Cali that we support. Caring For Colombia is a 501c3 (EIN # 20-0484859) so your donation is tax deductible. Caring For Colombia will direct the donation to the local groups we want to support.
Click here to donate via Caring For Colombia
On your donation, please put in Tom Zahorik Scholarship Fund
If you donate to Caring For Colombia directly and don’t mind, let us know about your donation. Your contribution can remain private if you’d prefer but we can check with them to make sure the donations are distributed to the local organizations.
If you work for a company with a matching grant program, please request a matching donation for Caring For Colombia.
Questions can be directed to Mike Zahorik or Marie Zahorik at
Mike Zahorik: m_zahorik@yahoo.com
Marie Zahorik: mariezahorik@gmail.com
Thanks to all the have donated . . .
Thank you to those who have donated. Every dollar helps change the lives of Colombian youths.
- Jack and Peggy Harkins
- Andy Fisher
- Sean and Margaret Murphy
- Keeley Family Foundation
- Peggy and Byron Bradley
- Lisa Bower
- Ilene and Tom Eckert
- Jeff and Carolyn Bonistalli
- Jenny Bienemann
- Tom and Sue Boudreau
- Joe Loschiavo
- Tom Molidor
- Tom and Carol Scotty
- Mitch Pajakowski
- Nancy and Greg Klaiber
- Steve and Julie Knipstein
- Tim and Sue Takash
- Joe and Sarah Takash
- Terry and Marichris Takash
- Rich and Susan Moore
- Charlene McGrath
- Bill and Fran Gerwing
- Jim and Diana Coyne
- Dennis and Vera McGuire
- Kevin and Stacey Welton
- Prairie Trail Federation Wise Men
- Juliet Bradley
- Joan and Ed Zahorik
- Marie Zahorik
- Michael Zahorik
- Mike and Barb Zahorik
- Lara Kooiker
- Molly Zahorik
- McInerney Trust
- Lynne McInerney
- Kevin and Lynn Nealis
- Rob and Kim Barry
- Malia McInerney
- Jenny and Pat Ahrens
- Craig Gunby and Kristin Traghorn
- Susan Zastawny
- Carol and Peter Crofton
- Jim Cusack
- Terry Kusner
Tom Zahorik Cali Scholarship Foundation 