East Dundee resident running for a cause

Erin O’Leary is doing the Shamrock Shuffle — an 8K race in Chicago — for charity.

The 28-year-old East Dundee resident is trying to raise $1,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, where she has served on the board of directors since 2006.

The club operates out of several schools in the township and doesn’t have its own location.

O’Leary is running in part to highlight the center’s existence, since many people don’t know the club operates in Dundee. She also hopes her run inspires others to give back to the club.

“I’m very big into philanthropy,” O’Leary said. “I believe in the Boys and Girls Club, I see the impact that our local organizations have in our community and ... it’s their safe place to go after school.”

Running for charity is nothing new for O’Leary, who is the daughter of former Village President Dan O’Leary.

In 2006 and 2007, she ran the Chicago Distance Classic half marathon. In 2007, she raised $500 for the Boys and Girls Club and in 2006, she raised $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.

The club for at-risk area youth, meanwhile, has found no shortage of donors.

According to its website, Mike and Marcie Sarillo, owners of Village Pizza in Carpentersville, donated $15,000 to the club earlier this month after the eatery’s grand opening.

As well, the Comcast Foundation announced it was forwarding $10,000 to help teach basic computer and Internet skills to the club’s kids. O’Leary says her donations would fund the club’s after school operations and that she has raised $250 thus far.

The Shamrock Shuffle, scheduled for April 10, starts and ends in Grant Park. O’Leary will be one of roughly 40,000 people running the streets of Chicago.

To donate to O’Leary’s fund, visit active.com/donate/bandgclubrunner. You can also mail a check made out to the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township to: 442 Lakeshore Drive, East Dundee, Ill., 60118.

For more information, e-mail O’Leary at eoleary@gmail.com