Freetime: Jelmar COO Raises Money for Chicago Children’s Hospital

Everyone knows a person who chooses to take the stairs rather than an elevator “for the exercise.” That is the case for Jeffrey Pozen, president and chief operating officer at Jelmar, LLC, (a CLR Brands company) located in the greater Chicago area, but there’s a bigger cause for the climb, too.

For the past 20 years, Jeff has climbed 80 stories — 1,643 steps — of the Aon Center in downtown Chicago for the annual “Step Up for Kids” fundraiser for the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.It is typically held the Sunday before the Superbowl and raises funds to help cover services that insurance won’t — school services, in-hospital summer camp, and pet therapy, for example. In 2025, the climb raised about $700,000.

“One of my motivations is that I have healthy children, stepchildren, one grandchild, and a second one on the way,” he says. “I don’t take good health for granted and recognize that there can be challenges for children and their families. I try to do good things.”

He doesn’t do it alone, either. Jeff says it all started with his wife, Raina.

“I’ve been doing the climb as long as I have known her,” he says. “I participated in my first climb right after Raina and I met. She was on the K.I.D.S.S. for Kids (Kindness is Doing Something Special for Kids) volunteer board for the Lurie Hospital, which focuses on fundraising to benefit the hospitalized kids and their families.”

Raina stepped off the K.I.D.S.S. board recently, but Jeff and his son, Danny, are now serving in her stead. They’ve also recruited family, friends, work associates, partners, and more to participate in the annual climb.

Describing the experience as “high energy”, Jeff says it’s an exciting atmosphere. More than 1,500 people participate, with the climb starting at 8:30 in the morning, and ending around 2:30 in the afternoon.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie,” he says. “Before starting the climb, participants gather on the first floor of the Aon Center at their assigned time. The climbers include everyone from firefighters in full gear to moms and dads with their kids on their backs. And you’re thinking, ‘Can I do it? Can I not do it?’ But the volunteers inspire us along the way, giving us water every 10 floors and cheering us on.”

One of the touching details of the program is that the hospitalized kids can take part. A patient champion is identified each year and attends the event representing the hospitalized kids, plus the event is filmed so the kids in the hospital can view the climb.

While the race is not timed, badges are chipped to monitor the climbers. When asked how long it takes to climb the 80 stories, Jeff says, it really depends on the year.

“In 2024, I did it in 31 minutes. This year I did it in just over 22 minutes,” he boasts. “I knew I wasn’t in great shape last year, so I started working out and running more. It was nice to see an improvement in my fitness while helping the hospital at the same time.”

Getting to the 80th story means that you’re welcomed with a roar of congratulations and applause.

“There’s a band playing, volunteers cheering, refreshments, and a beautiful view of Lake Michigan,” recalls Jeff. “And while we want people to have fun and feel a sense of achievement, we’re really there to serve the kids and their families.”

Gretchen Roufs, a 25-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns a marketing and public relations company in San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “Freetime,” contact her at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com.