Lake County special recreation group celebrates 40 years

Posted September 18, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County

Erik Anderson of Lake Zurich, left, received the Honorable Mention-Best Dancer Award with Director John Buckner, at the SRACLC awards party. Courtesy of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County

Special recreation group salutes award winners at party for its 40th year

It was a time to celebrate when the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County hosted an Awards Party on Aug. 24, in honor of its 40 year anniversary and also to salute participants, families, supporters and staff.

Around 120 of SRACLC's participants and their families, along with SRACLC staff, gathered at the White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills to recognize all who show an outstanding commitment to SRACLC.

The awards ceremony kicked off with hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a slideshow starring SRACLC participants and the activities they participated in throughout the year. After the social hour, each participant was honored and asked to stand up individually. All participants received a keepsake water bottle with SRACLC's logo on it. Then the SRACLC staff announced this year's honorable mention recipients and award winners.

Honorable mention recipients were Lex Mitchell and Bridget Carroll of Mundelein, Leo Chard of Vernon Hills, Molly McNamee of Grayslake, Kennedy Schaefges of Kildeer, and Erik Anderson and Sean Cosgrove of Lake Zurich.

There were also eight awards given to participants, staff and supporters of SRACLC's programs. Katie Owen of Grayslake received this year's Staff of the Year Award. Alex Mitchell of Vernon Hills received the award for Volunteer of the Year. The Neary Family - Canice, Sandy, Samantha, Sydney and Julia - of Vernon Hills received the Family Support Award.

SRACLC Foundation Board Member, Michael Barbini received the Special Recognition Award. Mundelein's Jennifer Wilson was awarded Athlete of the Year. The Exceptional Artistic Achievement Award was given to Grayslake's Cody Bitto. Kendall DeGraaf of Hawthorn Woods and Chris Peacock of Mundelein rounded out the awards for the night by receiving the Participant of the Year Awards.

"Our participants, staff, families, and supporters are the reason we love what we do. Bringing them together to recognize their hard work and achievements is the least we can do to show our appreciation," Recreation Coordinator Katelin Sheppard said. "Celebrating SRACLC's 40 Years just adds icing to the cake."

SRACLC offers a variety of programs including weekly programs and special events for individuals with disabilities, ages 3 and older. For information or to register for programs, contact the SRACLC office, at (847)-816-4866, visit www.sraclc.org, or like SRACLC on Facebook.

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Staff member Katie Owen of Grayslake, left, received the Staff of the Year Award from SRACLC Superintendent Carolyn Chambers at the recent awards party. Courtesy of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County

Cody Bitto of Grayslake, left, receives the Exceptional Artistic Achievement Award from SRACLC Superintendent Carolyn Chambers. Courtesy of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County

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