Remember mayor by giving back

Mayor Ila Bauer, of the village of Round Lake Park, was an incredible woman. She cared about the Greater Round Lake Area community. Not only did she have compassion for the residents of her village, but she truly wanted the best for the entire Round Lake area.

She was a teacher here, she was an active community volunteer, respected leader, she lived here and raised her family here. Ila was a charter member or founder of many of the organizations in existence today in the Greater Round Lake area. We worked together in the area of community service through the Round Lake Area Exchange Club, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center board of directors and others.

I always enjoyed meetings with her; she had some awesome stories to tell.

I remember one of the last committees we worked on together, we were waiting for a meeting to start and got to talking about TV shows we watched. Both of us liked A&E's Intervention, some people find the show depressing and dark, but we agreed it was filled with hope. Lost people who turned to addiction finding and fighting their way back home. To this day, I can't watch that show without thinking about this incredible woman, Ila Bauer.

It will be three years next week Ila passed away and I wanted to share that I remember, I still honor her. I ask those who knew her and those reading this join me in honoring her memory by giving back. Volunteer at your child's school, sign up to join a committee or group that gives back to the community or better yet, write a check to an organization she supported or one of your own favorites.

Use your time to do as she did ... make a difference.

Sherry Ridge

Round Lake Beach