Elgin Cosmopolitan Club gives Distinguished Service Award
Jeff Turner has been chosen as the recipient of the 75th Elgin Cosmopolitan Club Distinguished Service Award based on outstanding contributions to the community.
A dinner will be held in his honor Thursday, June 15, at the Elgin Country Club.
The Elgin resident has been an active participant in the community as a member serving on various boards and committees. Turner, owner of In the Neighborhood Deli, has been instrumental in starting the community dinner program.
Hosting four dinners yearly, Turner has provided those attending with a meal they would not otherwise enjoy and a place to share a good time with others from the Elgin community. He is married to Megan Turner and is the father of two. He has devoted many hours serving his community including, but not limited to:
• Organizing community dinners four times yearly (served more than 800 people at 2016 Christmas dinner);
• Partnering with Community Garden Network in 2012, which has a community garden behind the deli;
• Serving as honorary chef for Ecker Center Wishes for Wellness Brunch 2016 and the Larkin Center Honorary Chef Cheers for Children Brunch in 2010.
He has been the Elgin Heat girls fastpitch coach since 2015, and has served on the St. Edward's Crusaders football board in 2012 and the Elgin Community College network board 2011-12.
He also has been involved in Salsa Challenge For Social Good in 2010-11; Art and Soul on the Fox 2010-12; Elgin Jaycee member 2010-12; Elgin Green Expo co-chair 2009-12; and Elgin Climate Change Organization board and co-chair 2008-12.
In 2016, Turner was honored with the Harold T. Seigle Community Service Award, Elgin Junior Women's Club Outstanding Man of the Year and the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award.
In 2012, he was named as one of the Illinois Jaycees' Top 10 Outstanding Young People and he won the Illinois Good Neighbor Award. In 2011, he was named as Downtown Neighborhood Association Outstanding Partner. In 2010, he was given the Elgin Image Award.