Round Lake Beach cops help to brighten Thanksgiving Day for needy

Round Lake Beach police and other volunteers made Thanksgiving brighter for families in need by bringing fully cooked meals to their homes.

Thursday's turkeys, side dishes and desserts were prepared in the kitchen of former Round Lake Beach community service officer Kris Schoenberger's BBQ'd Productions restaurant on Route 45 in Third Lake. In three years, the effort has progressed from Schoenberger's house, to a tent in his front yard and now to BBQ'd Productions, Round Lake Beach Police Cmdr. Gary Lunn said.

He said 16 families in the Round Lake Beach area were scheduled to receive squad car deliveries of the full meals and milk from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday. He said up to 30 volunteers from the police department and elsewhere were expected to participate in the meal preparation and deliveries.

Police received several Thanksgiving dinner recipient referrals from the People Lending Assistance Network in Round Lake Beach. Launched in 2007 and commonly known as PLAN, the group operates a food pantry and also provides clothing, appliances, education and job assistance to individuals and families in need.

Lunn said the volunteers get much from their participation in the effort, knowing they eased the worries of some families for a little while. He said he delivered a meal to a home that didn't have a range — just a microwave oven.

“The biggest thing is it's humbling,” Lunn said. “I think we take for granted how much we have.”

Meals were provided to 13 families in 2013. Round Lake Beach police receive donations for the program.