St. Charles group seeking stories of supportive sisters

In preparation for its annual Sisters Weekend event on April 24-26, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership is looking for stories about women who have done extraordinary things to help a sister or female friend, or who have gone to extraordinary lengths to look for a long-lost sister. The organization wants to continue its tradition of sharing such stories with the local media, and the event itself is also now being considered by the producers of a network television program for inclusion in one of their shows.

"In 2009, Sisters Weekend has the opportunity to be publicized on a very popular, national television program," said Deanna Chrones, communications coordinator of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership. "However, we need a few more stories about sisters and sisterhood to help ensure we're included. We'd like anyone who has a story about a woman who has gone to great lengths to help a sister or female friend to share it with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

"We're also looking for more stories about women who were separated from their sister or sisters in childhood and were either able to locate them and reunite or are still searching," Chrones said. Anyone who wants to share a great sisterhood story with the partnership, the local media, and, possibly, a national audience can call (630) 513-5386.

Sisters Weekend is presented annually by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership for "sisters of all sorts" as a ladies-only getaway weekend. It features special activities such as a wine-tasting reception, pajama party with entertainment and spa treatments, continental breakfast Saturday morning, yoga and dance sessions, personal enrichment sessions Saturday and Sunday, a concert Saturday night, giveaways, prizes and more.

Shopping and dining throughout the downtown's four distinctive quadrants are also a focus of Sisters Weekend. As a testimony to that fact, in 2006, Sisters Weekend was the recipient of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn's Award of Excellence as Best Retail Event in the state.

David Richards, executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, spoke about the national publicity opportunity the event has this year. "Last year, the event's major sponsor, Comcast, wanted us to use some of their sponsorship money for the event and some for a charity that directly helps women. We recommended Lazarus House, a homeless shelter and women and children's center, and Comcast donated money to them. As a result, the good work Lazarus House does is part of the sisterhood story we've shared with the television program producers.

"The more stories about sisters we get from the public, the more likely we are to get the sisterhood story on the air," Richards continued. "And that will bring publicity not just to the event and the businesses of downtown St. Charles, but to Lazarus House, which would be a wonderful thing for all the people in need that Lazarus House serves."

Sisters Weekend is planned by a committee of volunteers who work for months to make sure that the weekend is full of favorite activities from previous years plus exciting new ones.

Rachel Bui, director of entertainment at Pheasant Run Resort and co-chairwoman of Sisters Weekend 2009, stated, "The committee members work very hard to make the event full of opportunities for our 'sisters' to relax, reconnect and reminisce. They do such a good job that we get people who travel from all over the country to be here, year after year. The committee members put a lot of themselves into the event."

The mission of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership is to "enhance the economic viability and to preserve the character and beauty of downtown St. Charles." In addition to Sisters Weekend, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership produces the Electric Christmas Parade, the St. Charles Fine Art Show and, in conjunction with the Park District, Sculpture in the Park and Concerts in the Park, among other events. The organization also works in the areas of business recruitment, business assistance, and downtown preservation.

To learn more about the Downtown St. Charles Partnership or to acquire additional information regarding membership, volunteer opportunities or events, visit www.dtown.org or call (630) 513-5386.