Volunteers fanning out in Barrington to help ALS foundation

At least 100 volunteers will be calling attention to ALS and raising money to help find a cure when they hit Barrington streets this weekend.

It'll be the Chicago-area kickoff for the annual Les Turner ALS Foundation Tag Days drive. The Skokie-based foundation helps those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neuromuscular disease that has no prevention or cure.

Barrington High School baseball and softball players, former village presidents and other volunteers will be around town in yellow vests seeking donations from Friday through Sunday. Locations will include Main Street and Route 59, Jewel-Osco and other popular spots.

Bob Lee, a Barrington resident and former Les Turner ALS Foundation board member, is helping spearhead the drive again. The effort coincides with ALS Awareness Month.

Lee said it's gratifying to see the community involvement and help from village businesses, particularly the teenagers. Barrington High's boys baseball players have been involved at least 15 years and the girls softball squad began volunteering for Tag Days in 2016.

"This is teaching kids the joy of getting out and doing something for others and helping create (ALS) awareness," he said. "So to see these kids in their uniforms out collecting, it's pretty special."

About $11,000 was collected in the Barrington drive last year, Les Turner officials said. Tag Days will occur in St. Charles on May 19 and in Elgin on June 16.