Helping others avoid tragedy
In the aftermath of a fatal accident involving a young intoxicated driver, the warning is clear about drinking and driving. But how about when an accident had nothing to do with impaired driving but occurred because general safety was ignored?
That's what took the life of St. Charles East student Chris Ahern last year when he was driving too fast in the area behind Charlestowne Mall. No drugs, no alcohol, just carelessness.
So his family and friends organized the Cause to Help Raise Interest in Safety (CHRIS) charity event that was held on a cruise liner along the Chicago lakefront Saturday night.
Some proceeds will be used for scholarships for graduating seniors, but the event funded the group's awareness program targeted to teenage drivers.
"The event was a huge success," said Mike Ahern, Chris' father. "We had a great turnout of teenage drivers among the over 200 people who joined us and we raised over $20,000."
During the early planning stages of the CHRIS charity event, Mike Ahern was afraid his idea to stress safe driving to teens in his son's memory wasn't going to fly.
"I was so worried it would be a train wreck as I had never taken on such a task," Mike said. "But over the past two weeks it has simply been amazing and I am touched beyond belief."
Mike was quick to thank his helpers: Carol Hogan, David Hooyer, Mary Jo Harper, Jennifer Ahern, Ken Cady and Elizabeth Pokorny, as well as supporting businesses and everyone who attended.
"If we made just one teenager rethink safety issues when they get behind the wheel, then it was a gigantic success," Mike said.
Anyone interested in donating to the teen driving safety awareness program can get information at www.chrisahern-memorial.com.
"I really think we touched some kids last weekend and we are approaching this cause, one kid at a time," Mike said.
More Steele on stage: The Steeles certainly have left their mark on local theater.
Donna Steele has operated Steel Beam Theater in downtown St. Charles for seven years. Now her 24-year-old daughter Amy continues her promising career in the role of Jenny in a musical comedy titled "In My Life," playing on weekends from Oct. 26 through Nov. 10 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero.
Amy has performed with Donny Osmond in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Chicago Theater, and in many other musical revues and plays throughout the country.
"This musical is definitely different from things I've done in the past," Amy said. "It's not mainstream at all, and is kind of wacky."
Wacky would describe the character Amy portrays as well. "She's an obsessive compulsive and kind of neurotic, so it's close to real life and a lot of fun," Amy laughed.
When "In My Life" closes, Amy will start work on "The Three Little Pigs" with the Chicago Kids Company, and then will appear in a Second City comedy in December.
Most recently, she just finished directing the youth group in "Snow White" at Steele Beam Theater.
dheun@sbcglobal.net