Palatine Park District Collects 653 Pounds of Food

With generous donations from the Palatine community, the Palatine Park District Service Committee collected 653 pounds of food that were delivered to the Palatine Township Food Pantry. The Breakfast of Champions Food Drive was held from April 1 through April 17. Donations were accepted in the lobbies of Palatine Park District's three recreation centers and at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center. The four preschool locations also collected donations from their families. In addition to many donations from members of the community, over twenty staff members at the Park District made personal donations to the food drive as well.

On April 23, members of the Service Committee and PPD staff members delivered the donated items to Barbara Walsh, Food Pantry Coordinator at the Palatine Township Food Pantry. With the assistance of township volunteers, the food was unloaded and the pantry was stocked with a variety of breakfast items from the themed food drive.

The service committee is a group of Palatine Park District staff members, volunteers who don't necessarily have the time, but have the heart, as is depicted on the committee's t-shirts. The committee was formed in February 2013 with the idea of giving back to the Palatine community. The goal of the committee is to provide a variety of service opportunities to both staff members and the community throughout the year. Palatine Park District staff who are volunteering their time as members of the Service Committee include: Donelda Danz, Jean Farrar, Trish Feid, Debbie Keenan, Tom Landeck, Dan Mangum, Michael Noens, Marilyn Pedersen, Karen Rude, Lisa Schroeder, and Joan Scovic. Many other Palatine Park District staff members have also volunteered to help with committee projects and events.

The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District.