"An Evening of Caring" to honor Jack Shales

The community is invited to join United Way of Elgin in celebrating its 90th anniversary and honoring Jack Shales for his 60 years of volunteer service at the first "Evening of Caring" dinner on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Grand Victoria Casino in downtown Elgin.

In 1923, a group of civic-minded men and women began talking about an idea to formalize fundraising for the local social service agencies. The first fundraising campaign was held in February 1924, and in September 1924, the Elgin Community Chest Association was officially born. In 1972, the Chest became part of a growing United Way movement, and the name became United Way of Elgin.

In 1954, a young construction industry employee named Jack Shales got involved with the fundraising campaign. For the next 60 years, he served in a variety of roles including campaign chair in 1983 and 1984, and served as chair of the board of directors in 1988. Today, Jack is one of five Lifetime Directors, giving him a permanent seat on our board.

The "Evening of Caring" will look back at the broad history of United Way service in Elgin and take a walk down memory lane with Jack.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner and short program at 6:30 p.m. Dinner tickets are $50 per person, or $450 for a table of 10.

Thanks to the generosity of the dinner and venue sponsor, Grand Victoria Casino, all proceeds will go to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, one of Jack's favorite programs.

You can make your reservations for "An Evening of Caring" by calling United Way of Elgin at (847) 741-2259.