A chance for kids in need to play sports
Three years ago, the Hoffman Estates police created a program to help kids have a bit of fun on the football field.
The department's Benevolent Fund established LEAP, or the Law Enforcement Athletic Program, and have sponsored 10 to 15 kids a year, paying for their participation on the Hoffman Hawks, a Pop Warner Football team. The program is for players and cheerleaders, ages 5 through 14.
Final registration for LEAP is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 30, at Eisenhower Junior High School, 800 W. Hassell Road, and Sgt. Mark Mueller wants the community they won't turn any kid away based on where the live. The program feeds into six high school including kids living in Palatine, Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows.
They want to help at-risk kids whose parents can't afford a private or park district league. Team sports shows how teamwork and respect for teammates and coaches pays off. Melissa Velez is a single mother of Eddie, 12, and Edwin, 13. The program has been nothing but a positive during these tough economic times. Normally registration can range for Pop Warner from $150 to $325.
"It makes them realize how hard it is," Velez said.
The program also has grade standards through the Little Scholars program. Coaches will work with teachers to makes sure classroom performance improves. The program goes from August through November. For more info, call (847) 534-6238 or go to hoffmanhawks.org to register online. Those interested could even e-mail Mueller at hawkprez@comcast.net.
Sewing quilts for soldiers: Whether they're making pillow cases for kids in the hospital or receiving blankets for new moms, the Northwest Suburban Sewing Friends are always finding a way to give their hobby a selfless purpose.
Now, the group has eyed a new charitable cause.
About 40 members are sewing quilts for wounded veterans. They'll meet at 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, at the Palatine Public Library to continue the project. Finished quilts will be donated to Soldiers' Angels for distribution.
Joan Chatten, a member for five years, said she's read about the reaction many wounded veterans have when they receive such a time-consuming and thoughtful gift.
"I've heard they're thrilled," she said. "Whether we approve of the war or not, we've all benefitted from what our military people have done."
With five quilts already completed, the Northwest Suburban Sewing Friends have about 20 more in some phase of production.
Novice sewers are welcome. There are tasks to be done Monday that don't involve a sewing machine such as ironing, cutting and pinning.
Chatten has seen a resurgence in sewing and said many of the seven members to join the group this year are young.
"Sewing has been a dying art for a while and it's nice to see the growing interest," she said.
For more information, contact Chatten at (847) 394-1786.
- Kimberly Pohl
Mayor is distinguished alum: Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson will be honored as the winner of Harper College's 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award at its graduation ceremony May 21 at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont.
Larson graduated from the Palatine college in 1972, not long before beginning a career in public service that has lasted more than 35 years - 22 of them as mayor.
He credits his skills in public speaking to the classes taught at Harper by the now-retired John Muchmore.
Larson was chosen as this year's distinguished alumni from among 40 nominations.
"Through his leadership, Al Larson has helped position Schaumburg as a municipal and economic leader in the state of Illinois, and his support of Harper has been unwavering," said Catherine Brod, vice president of community relations and executive director of Harper's Educational Foundation. "He is a shining example of what community colleges can help you accomplish."
Larson majored in science at Harper, taking evening classes while holding down a full-time day job. His first job after earning his associate degree was serving as Schaumburg's public relations director.
- Eric Peterson