Groups say thanks to teens with games, treats
The week of Aug. 14-20, has been proclaimed “Teen Appreciation Week” by Gov. Patrick Quinn, Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski, Schaumburg village President Al Larson and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod.
“T.A.W.” celebrates the uniqueness of adolescence and encourages the natural creativity and energy of youth in this stage of life. The proclamations encourage everyone to recognize teens for their positive contributions to the community.
In the greater Schaumburg Township area, special activities and offers have been planned for that week by local agencies and businesses targeting youth, ages 12-19.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the township’s Spectrum Teen Center will take teens on a trip to the Ronald McDonald House, near Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, to participate in its “Meals from the Heart” program, making lunch for families of hospitalized children. The Spectrum Teen Center will then host a “Taste of Spectrum,” for teens from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, during the regular shift, featuring international foods. There will also be special snacks and games with prizes awarded during the other teen center shifts, Monday and Friday.
To cap off the week, Spectrum will host a free barbecue picnic for teens, from noon-3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Maple Park just north of Township Hall — featuring free food, softball, volleyball, soccer, Frisbee and water balloon activities. The Hoffman Estates Park District climbing wall will also be there, although its use by minors requires parent permission on a form available at the Spectrum Teen Center. The Schaumburg Township Human Services Fund and Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital are both supporting the picnic with cash donations; and Culver’s, 1410 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, is donating cups of frozen custard for the teens to enjoy.
To help Spectrum celebrate, the Wendy’s, 1871 W. Golf Road, at Walnut Lane, Schaumburg, will also donate to Spectrum 15 percent of their sales between 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Snacks and prizes for use in the Spectrum Teen Center that week were donated by Barnes & Noble, Fuddruckers, Lou Malnati’s, Jewel-Osco, the Schaumburg Park District Waterworks, Healthy Inspirations Gym, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines, the Target Greatland Store, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Chick-Fil-A, and Mario’s Pizza — all in Schaumburg; and by Buffalo Wild Wings, Hoffman Estates.
Other agencies have special plans, too: The village of Schaumburg’s teen center, “The Barn,” will hold fun activities for teens all week during its regular shifts, including an introduction to T.A.W. on Monday afternoon; Board Game Night, Tuesday; Popcorn and Movie Night, Wednesday; Candy Day, Thursday; and an Ice Cream Social, Friday. The week before Teen Appreciation Week, the Vogelei Teen Center, operated by Hoffman Estates village and park district, will hold a barbecue and a movie night. And, throughout T.A.W., the Schaumburg Township District Library will allow teens to pick up a coupon to clear up to $10 in fines.
The following local businesses will offer special deals for teenagers during T.A.W. if they show their school or teen center ID: In Elk Grove Village: Pasta Mia, 642 Meacham Road; Rocco Vino’s Italian Eatery, 627 Meacham Road; and Superior Delights Candy, Meacham Road. In Hoffman Estates: Brown’s Chicken, 1059 W. Golf Road; Laser Quest, 860 N. Roselle Road; Putting Edge, 2535 W. Golf Road; Sarpino’s Pizzeria, 870 N. Roselle Road; and Subway, 708 E. Higgins Road. In Schaumburg: Century Nails, 1915 W. Golf Road; County Donuts, 1218 S. Roselle Road; Dreamland Comics, 1415 W. Schaumburg Road; Embroidme, 47 W. Schaumburg Road; Great Clips, 2445 W. Schaumburg Road; Great Clips, 1109 S. Roselle Road; Julianne’s Salon & Day Spa, 1437 W. Schaumburg Road; Little Sicily Pizzeria, 1409 W. Schaumburg Road; Old Town Pizza, 906 W. Bode Road; Rainbow Pets, 1417 W. Schaumburg Road; Rosati’s Pizza, 120 E. Golf Road; Schaumburg Music Center, 1429 W. Schaumburg Road; Subway, 1427 W. Schaumburg Road; and Taco Bell, 275 W. Golf Road. Also, in Norridge, the Putting Edge, 4105 N. Harlem Avenue will offer discounts to teenagers.
For updates on T.A.W., call the Spectrum Teen Events Line, (847) 285-4620 or visit www.schaumburgtownship.org/spectrum.html.
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