Boy Scouts put on big fundraiser dinner

With the Shannon Rovers leading guests into the ballroom and a keynote speaker wearing a Super Bowl ring, supporters of the Northwest Suburban Boy Scout Council knew they weren't at their typical fundraising dinner.

Nearly 300 guests gathered for their annual Distinguished Citizen dinner at the Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre in Hoffman Estates. They entered to find an honor guard of Boy Scouts, who escorted them to the registration table and thanked them for their support.

Guests included Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod and Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, as well as Harper President Kenneth Ender, among the crowd of business leaders and Boy Scout officials.

"We're right on the verge of celebrating our 100th anniversary, so we're doing some things differently," said Steve Taylor, district executive. "Everything leading up to the anniversary, we're doing a little bit bigger."

In fact, this year Scouting officials honored not one, but four distinguished citizens at the dinner.

"We look for high profile people that have made a significant contribution in the community," said committee member Pete Stikovich.

Among those honored was ABC-7 news reporter Paul Meincke, an avid supporter who helps Council members with communication efforts and serves on its executive board.

He also has served as a Boy Scout leader near his home in Des Plaines and led four groups to one of Scouting's high adventure trips located in Philmont, New Mexico.

"I've seen young men come back significantly changed," Meincke said. "They are much more self sufficient and self reliant."

Joining Meincke were attorney William Kelley of Schaumburg, who serves on the Harper College board of trustees as well as the Schaumburg Park District Foundation; and George Moser, chairman and CEO of Charter National Bank, and the Stonegate Group, both located in Hoffman Estates.

"There's nothing more rewarding than what the Scouts do in terms of building character and citizenship," Moser said.

Rounding out the group of distinguished citizens was U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, who could not attend the dinner, but was honored for her community activism as well as her work in Congress.

Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz delivered the evening's keynote address. Wearing his 1996 Super Bowl ring, he talked about lessons learned on the football field and in life, including hard work, passion and motivation.

"At every turn, those are the tools that have served me through my life," Schwantz said, "just like the values the Scouts are gaining in this program."