ICompete Wine Tasting Event to Support Youth Programming
The fifth annual ICompete Wine Tasting Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JL's Pizza and Sports Bar, 19 N. Bothwell Street, Palatine. Proceeds from the event will benefit ICompete Youth Programs. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at door for wine tasting, pizza, salad and mostaccioli. The event, for those 21 and older, will also include a cork pull, raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a special drawing for a Blackhawks jersey and for Cubs tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online at palatineopportunitycenter.org or in person at Birchwood Recreation Center, Falcon Park Recreation Center, and Community Center. For more information, contact Kelli Hedding at 847-496-6304 or khedding@palatineparks.org, or call Falcon Park at 847-202-5111.
ICompete is a collaborative partnership with the Palatine Park District, Partners for Our Community (POC), Palatine High School, District 15, Palatine Police Department, and Palatine Township. Each partner plays a unique and integral role in the development, implementation, funding, and support of ICompete programs. Rachel Lara, Family and Youth Specialist for Palatine Park District, says "I feel fortunate to be part of work that it not only rewarding, but surrounded by so many individuals that have made ICompete their priority. I have made it my personal mission to ensure that ICompete staff remains the constant in a community that only knows change. There is a tremendous amount of time, energy, and heart that go into making all of the ICompete programs successful. We thank the families for trusting our vision and supporting our cause."
Annually, ICompete offers a variety of programs to the Palatine Community. Each program is designed to offer academic assistance or exposure to new opportunities. In doing this, ICompete works hard at building strong leaders and healthy youth. All the ICompete programs are designed to be free or affordable to families. ICompete has grown over the last ten years with the dedication of partners, staff, committee members, and donors. Some of ICompete's 2015 highlights include an expansion of the summer drop-in program, an overnight lock-in event, a new summer fun program for ages 7-14, the enrollment of 20 girls in grades 4-7 in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, a new trunk or treat event, and the development of a new website-coming soon. According to Lara, one of her proudest moments of 2015 was seeing year-round programming offered to youth. She feels "certain that our efforts will continue to touch the lives of hundreds of children."
The ICompete mission is to introduce underserved families to athletics, arts, and academics by breaking down the barriers of access to better prepare for life experiences. The goal is to stimulate interest, provide academic support, and increase opportunities to participate in organized sports, clubs or community programs. Because of the tremendous support with our partners, the lives of these families are being changed, challenged, and improved. ICompete Programs allow participants to develop the skills to make safe choices, get involved in their school and community, and learn how to be competitive in this ever-changing, complex world.
ICompete is a partner of Palatine Park District. The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks, programs and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.