Enjoy 'Epicurean Delights' at agency's fundraiser

Community residents are invited to sharpen their culinary palate at Renz Addiction Counseling Center's second annual "Epicurean Delight" fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at Elgin Community College's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute. Attendees can watch local business celebrities Linda Deering, chief operating officer at Sherman Hospital; Ian Lamp, vice president of marketing and sales at Lamp Inc.; Randy Matz, president of Diamond Mart; Tom Roeser, president of Otto; and Joe Stanczek, senior vice president of First Community Bank, as they assist Chef Tom Johnston and top ECC culinary art students demonstrate and serve a bounty of hors d'oeuvres and desserts at the Spartan Terrace Restaurant.

While enjoying a variety of taste sensations, guests may also participate in a complimentary wine tasting that will be paired with selected food items. Throughout the evening, culinary-themed baskets filled with gourmet food, cookbooks, and utensils will be raffled off, in addition to a Sony Blu-ray player, a Galena bed and breakfast overnight stay, museum tickets, and restaurant gift certificates.

Renz Center is seeking sponsors who wish to make monetary or raffle basket donations and gain recognition for each donation. All proceeds benefit Renz Addiction Counseling Center programs.

The center provides a variety of prevention, early intervention and treatment programs for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions and related disorders. It serves residents of central/northern Kane and western Cook counties with offices in St. Charles, Streamwood and Elgin. The nonprofit, charitable organization is funded by the federal government, Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, United Way, and the local 708 boards of Hanover Township, St. Charles and Schaumburg. For information, call Deb Howe at (847) 742-3545, ext. 236 or visit www.renzcenter.org.