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The Crowns have agreed to sponsor the not-for-profit Chicago-based media organization which will now be known as the “Renee Crown Public Media Center.”
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Renee Crown and her husband, Lester, one of Chicago’s most philanthropic couples, have recently endowed a major gift to Window To the World Communications, the non-profit-making subsidiary of the city’s public television station WTTW-Channel 11 which also operates a fine arts radio station under the title of WFMT.
The gift, which is for an undisclosed amount, was made by the Crown family in honor of Renee Crown’s recent birthday. Renee Crown who has been a member of the trustees of Window To the World for more than 30 years, and sits on the development, executive, governance and WFMT Radio Network committees. She and her husband, Lester Crown, also act as joint chairpersons for the station’s annual gala, which every year is the source of considerable donations from members of the Chicago public which provides general operating funds for both Channel 11 and WFMT.
In recognition of her efforts on behalf of the organization as well as their generous donation the organising committee of Window To the World have announced their intention to rename the organisation’s broadcast complex which is situated on the city’s northwest side of the city, and it will now be known as the “Renee Crown Public Media Center.”
Commenting on the Crowns on going support for the center, Window To the World Chairman Norman Bobins stated that every story that is told on the WTTW network represents what Renee does within the Chicago community, celebrating the arts, advocating for the health and wellbeing of children, sharing educational discoveries, engaging in civil discourse as well as endorsing scientific advancements.
Lester and Renee Crown recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Lester Crown, the son of a prominent Chicago financier Henry Crown inherited control of the nationwide building materials distributor, Material Services, when his father passed away in 1990. Leatsr has been President of Henry Crown & Co. since 1969
Over the years Lester has diversified his business interests, and now is involved in commercial real estate development, the hospitality industry as well as being a major shareholder in both the Chicago Bulls and the New York Yankees.
The crowns are major benefactors of a number of Jewish charities, universities and the Aspen Institute.
In 2013 Lester and Renee Crown dominated $10 million to the Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization, which is based in Washington, D.C.
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