Elk Grove Village recognizes community service work of youth

Ten youth groups comprised of nearly 90 members were honored this week in Elk Grove Village for their community service work.

The Community Character Coalition of Elk Grove every year recognizes local youth during a ceremony at a village board meeting.

Betsy Boswell, who sits on the coalition's executive board, said it's the mission of the organization to recognize good character of Elk Grove citizens.

"You're the future. You're the now," Boswell told the honorees at Tuesday night's board meeting. "You're the great work that's being done here. It warms our hearts to be able to do this."

The groups recognized include:

• Elk Grove High School Leadership Council, which raised $20,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a childhood cancer research organization.

• EGHS Peer Helpers, which promotes Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug campaign, and Yellow Ribbon Week, a suicide prevention effort.

• EGHS Relay For Life Team, which raised $50,000 for the annual cancer awareness walk.

• Elk Grove Leo Club, which collected 9,000 pounds of pet food last October as part of a pet food drive.

• Mead Junior High Interact Club, which ran a candy gram drive to purchase gifts for families during the Christmas season.

• Mead Rotary Prep Club, which helps coordinate a food pantry located at the school.

• Queen of the Rosary Student Council, which conducts a monthly food drive and raises money for groups such as Catholic Charities and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

• Ridge Family Center for Learning Jump Rope for Heart Team, which raised $14,000 for an American Heart Association fundraiser.

• Robert Frost School Leadership Team, which has canned food for the poor and other service projects in school.

• St. Julian Eymard "AfterMass!" Youth Group, whose members annually go on service trips to volunteer in poor communities.