Little Angels to sponsor a casino night
They've had Summer Hoe-downs and Mardi Gras nights in the past.
But next month, the folks at Elgin's Little Angels are rolling the dice -- again.
The home for 57 children and young adults with severe disabilities is hosting a Viva Las Vegas night.
"A couple times a year we like to have some large events," said Mary Jean Adkins, spokeswoman for the Little Angels Parents Association. "It's an event for families and their kids to get together."
Volunteers at the Elgin facility are planning to transform the developmental training center into a Vegas casino.
"It's more of a time for family members and siblings to really have a good time with their son or daughter who lives here at Little Angels," said Tammy Armstrong, director of the Little Angels Developmental Training Program.
"It's meant to increase family participation and increase community awareness."
Families attending will receive $200 in fake money to wager on bingo, blackjack and other games. At the end of the night, the big "winners" will receive one of three prize baskets with a movie theme, spa and relaxation products or martini mixers and accessories.
Organizers also are still accepting donations for the gift baskets. For details, call (847) 741-1609, ext. 101.
Little Angels, founded in 1958 by Elgin residents Pat and Bob Wasmond, offers round-the-clock skilled nursing, therapeutic and habilitation services.
See for yourself
Tired of all the negative ads or TV commercials with plenty of style but little substance?
Come see for yourself what the candidates for the 14th U.S. Congressional District have to offer at the Elgin Area League of Women Voters' candidate forum Wednesday.
Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Bill Foster are running to fill out the term of retired Congressman Dennis Hastert. A special election will be March 8 and the winner will finish the term vacated by Hastert until January 2009.
The same two candidates will face off in the general election in November.
League officials had to work fast to put on a forum so soon after the Feb. 5 primary.
"(Voters) just went to the polls and March 8 is next month," said Barbara Mulliken, the league's voter services chairwoman. "We're trying to drum up some interest. This election is important."
The forum will be at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove St., Elgin. This event is open to the public.
Audience members will be issued note cards in advance to write down their questions and submit them to the moderator.
Janet Poyner, president of the non-partisan league, expects a large crowd.
"They know it's going to be an honest forum and nobody is going to be favored over the other," Poyner said.