Elgin Hispanic group to host luncheon
Three local activists will be honored Thursday, May 5, when Centro de Informacion holds its community luncheon at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin.
The event starts at 11:30 a.m., with lunch served at noon.
According to the 2010 Census figures, the Hispanic community is growing exponentially in the Fox Valley. Over 43 percent of people in Elgin described themselves as Hispanic in 2011, up from 32 percent in 2000.
In light of the growing Hispanic population, Centro de Información is particularly pleased to present Virginia Martinez, legislative staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, to speak at the luncheon.
Martinez is responsible for monitoring regional, state and local legislation and policy issues. She will speak about how these new population figures may impact local communities.
The Centro organization will also be honoring three volunteers.
Ÿ E. C. “Mike” Alft, Jr. (born 1925) is a local historian and former mayor of Elgin. He taught at Elgin High School for four decades while serving as city councilman, mayor, secretary of the board of trustees of the Gail Borden Public Library District, and various other capacities in local government. He may be best known as a historian of Elgin. He has published several books on the history of Elgin and the surrounding area. Alft has worked for racial harmony and inclusion in Elgin, and most recently wrote the book “Hispanics in Elgin: A Brief History,” published in 2010 for the Elgin Area Historical Society.
Ÿ Mary Camacho, an Elgin native, has been a community activist for more than 30 years. She has been an informal liaison between the Hispanic and Anglo communities. She was the only Elgin native, as well as only Spanish-speaking member, of the city’s Sesquicentennial Commission in 2004.
She has been a member of many organizations, including the Elgin Human Relations Commission, Centro de Información, the Grand Victoria Foundation Advisory Board, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council, Club Guadalupano and the Police and Fire Commission. In 1980, Mary was appointed coordinator for the Neighborhood Housing Services and served as its executive director from 1983 to 1986. She was named Woman of the Year in 1984 by the Altrusa Club.
Ÿ Jeanette Mihalec is the vice president of membership, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, and a Kane County Board member. She is involved in many organizations throughout the community, including serving as chairman for the Hispanic Heritage Month Parade from 2005-2008, treasurer of the Elgin Hispanic Network and Treasurer of Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Kane County. She also is a member of the Kiwanis and Lions Club.
For details about the luncheon or tickets, call (847) 695-9050.