Tri-Cities fundraisers
To submit a listing, e-mail tricity@dailyherald.com or fax to (847) 608-0849.
October 5
Pumpkin Pedal: Special Olympics Illinois is gearing up for its 17th annual Pumpkin Pedal Bike Tour on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Bicyclists can choose to ride on the 25-, 45- or 62-mile routes. These tours will begin and end at Kaneland Middle School, 1N137 Meredith Road in Maple Park (between Route 38 and Keslinger Road). A family ride will take place at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles and takes riders on their choice of a 10- or 20-mile bike path route. Bicyclists may start anytime between 7:30 to 10 a.m. and all routes will be cleared at 4 p.m.
Riders will wind their way through scenic, rural Kane County - enjoying the fall landscape as they continue on their trek. Rest stops are provided throughout the route to give riders a chance to enjoy light refreshments. Bicycling enthusiasts can register the day of the ride at either Kaneland Middle School or LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
There is a $30 registration fee with all proceeds to benefit Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Cyclists registering by Friday, Sept. 26 will receive a Pumpkin Pedal T-shirt. Online registration is available at ActiveUSA.com. Riders are also invited to attend a post-ride luncheon that will begin at approximately 11 a.m. at both sites. Current sponsors of this year's event are: The Daily Herald, Bike Rack, Sikich, Creative Mobility, Bohn Illustration, Kaneland Middle School, Panera Bread, Coca Cola and Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club. For information, call the Special Olympics office in St. Charles at (630) 377-7250 or e-mail shutchins@soill.org.
Elburn Bunco: Every year, Elburn Bunco for Breast Cancer works toward educating women about breast health as well as donating our profits to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In the past 4 years, the organization has donated more than $50,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This fight is made possible by the generous support of people like you.
The fifth annual Bunco for Breast Cancer will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Lions Park in Elburn with sessions at 1 and 6 p.m.
Become a "Pink Ribbon Sponsor" and donate a raffle or door prize with program recognition. Become a "Breast Cancer Awareness Partner" for $100 and have your name listed in the program, along with recognition as a table sponsor. This donation will help us underwrite the event cost and expenses. "Celebrate a Survivor" who continues to inspire or in memory of a loved one who you wish to honor and remember fondly. Indicate your wishes along with your donation. For information or to donate items, call Debbie Homesley at (630) 365-2164 or (630) 615-9708 or visit www.elburnherald.com/pdf/bunco_mailer_2008.pdf.
October 18
Auction and raffle: Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia presents "Lights, Camera, Auction!" at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. The public is invited to attend this third annual silent auction and raffle evening, which includes dinner. All proceeds benefit the ministries of Calvary, both within the parish as well as outreach efforts that extend to the local community and around the world. The array of items up for bid include restaurant, store and theater gift certificates, professional sports tickets and memorabilia, autographed celebrity items, a health club membership, rounds of golf, and admission to "must-see" Chicago attractions, including Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry. In addition, a variety of themed gift baskets will be available, in all sizes and values, and one lucky bidder will win a hot-air balloon ride which may be redeemed at the winner's choice of more than 20 locations nationwide.
A new highlight of the auction this year is the drawing for a special and very timely raffle offering: the grand, first and consolation prize for the drawing are a $1,000, $500 and $250 gas card, respectively. Tickets for the auction, which are on sale now, are just $10 each, and a maximum of just 1,000 tickets will be sold. Details and an order form for raffle tickets - as well as other information about the auction - can be found at calvary-episcopal.org.
Local businesses that wish to contribute an item to the auction, or place an ad in the auction booklet, may do so by contacting Calvary at (630) 879-3378. Advertising order forms can also be downloaded from the parish Web site.
Calvary is at 222 S. Batavia Ave. Although admission to is free, reservations for the auction are requested for planning purposes. Please call the church for further information or to reserve your spot.
October 25
EYSO: The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will host "Grape Expectations," its annual fundraiser, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Fox Valley University and Business Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The annual fundraiser features tastings of approximately 30 red and white wines (some are paired with chocolates) and appetizers. Silent auction includes sports memorabilia, a painted violin and gift baskets for various occasions. Cost is $50 per person. For information or tickets, call (847) 841-7700.
November 6
HOPE Fair Housing: HOPE Fair Housing Center, serving DuPage, Kane, McHenry and northwest and west Cook counties, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a benefit dinner on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Hyatt Lisle Hotel in Lisle. HOPE, the oldest fair housing center in Illinois, promotes equal housing, lending and home insurance opportunities. Featured speaker at the Benefit is Shanna L. Smith, president and chief executive officer of the National Fair Housing Alliance. Tickets are $60. To order tickets contact HOPE at (630) 690-6500. ext. 3. The deadline to order tickets is Oct. 3.
In 2007, HOPE assisted more than 1,900 people who experienced housing discrimination based on their age, race, disability, family status, national origin or religion. HOPE was instrumental in a landmark settlement of a housing discrimination case benefiting more than 2,000 Arlington Park Racecourse workers with housing and educational programs. If you have experienced housing discrimination call (630) 690-6500, ext. 6 or if you want to volunteer as a discrimination tester, call (630) 690-6500, ext. 5.
November 15
Girl Scouts-Fox Valley Council: The Girl Scouts-Fox Valley Council is currently seeking sponsors, advertisers and auction item donations for the 14th annual Holiday Harvest Dinner Auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Piper's Banquets in Aurora. The theme for this year's Holiday Harvest is "Holiday Magic." Highlights of the evening will include a live and silent auction, cocktails, and sit-down dinner. For information on how you can participate in the Holiday Harvest "Holiday Magic" Dinner Auction, visit the Web site at www.fvgsc.org. You also may contact Jerre Henriksen at (630) 897-1565, ext. 117 or by e-mail at jerre@fvgsc.org.
Delnor Auxiliary: Everything that the Delnor Auxiliary touches these days is turning to gold, as they plan for their 2008 Charity Ball to the theme of The Golden Age of Entertainment. Just as last year, the Ball will support the Auxiliary's million dollar pledge to support the development of a comprehensive cardiovascular and open heart surgery program at Delnor.
This year's ball, the Auxiliary's largest fundraiser of the year, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Q Center in St. Charles. Tickets to the black-tie optional event include the opportunity to take part in the Auxiliary's expansive silent auction and a live auction emceed by Geneva mayor Kevin Burns, as well as dinner, dancing and a unique evening of entertainment.
"Cost of a ticket to our Ball is $175, but having those services readily available to area residents right here in the Tri-Cities would be priceless," says Geneva resident Julia Deem, co-chair of this year's Ball. She is joined in spearheading the event by two other co-chairs, St. Charles resident Michelle Kalinowski and Dr. Teresa Homan, M.D.
Entertainment for this year's event will be set to the 1930s theme, brought to life on one full-wall of spider screen. This technological marvel will treat Ball attendees to a sentimental journey through the streets of the Fox Valley during the 1930s and 40s, which will be accompanied by music by local entertainers playing the roles of Charlie Chaplin, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, male crooners and female torch singers. For information, or to reserve tickets for the event, call (630) 208-4265.