Clergy support group to hold fund-raising campaign

The next big fund-raising campaign in the Barrington area is about to get started.

A group of community leaders and area clergy members are working toward creating the Northwest suburbs' first Samaritan Counseling Center.

The not-for-profit organization is being started as a way to support area clergy members who are finding more and more of their parishioners are seeking help and support through difficult times.

Dave Nelson, president of the organization's board of directors and Cuba Township Supervisor, said the goal is to provide a place to which local ministers and priests can refer their parishioners.

"A lot of people seem to be comfortable talking to their minister," Nelson said.

The problem, Nelson said, is that as time has gone on, clergy members are becoming inundated with people needing help dealing with mental health issues.

"The churches end up referring them to places outside of our community," Nelson said.

Now, there will be a local facility area that residents wanting faith-based counseling can turn to.

"I am really excited about this," Nelson said.

Besides Nelson, the rest of the organization's executive board includes Nancy Nadig, vice president, David Buckley Jr., treasurer and Debbie Villers, secretary.

As a way to give residents more information about the new organization and kick off their fund-raising efforts, the Samaritan Counseling Center is hosting a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Garlands of Barrington.

Nelson said the organization's goal is to raise $100,000, which will help pay for the new facility and the staff members who will work there.

For more information or to R.S.V.P. for Tuesday's presentation, call Nelson at (847) 381-6504.

Can you hear me now: The Barrington Area Council on Aging, along with the Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart, is sponsoring a free emergency 911 cell phone giveaway.

The Cell Phones for Seniors program provides a free 911 emergency cell phone to Cook County residents over age 65 who do not have a cellular phone.

Seniors attending the program will receive a phone, two batteries, a charger and instructions on how to access 911 service on the cell.

The program is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. June 23 at the Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive.

The Park District is now accepting old phones residents want to donate.

Phones can be dropped off at the Park District during regular business hours.

For more information or to register for the program, call Linda Avellon at the Barrington Area Council on Aging at (847) 852-3892 or the Cook County Sheriff's office at (773) 869-7878.