Elgin Young Professionals Network Exceeds Fundraising Goals, Awards Three Scholarships

On Thursday, July 25, the Elgin Young Professionals Network raised over $1,500 at their inaugural scholarship fundraiser entitled Fundraising in Fun-tasch-tic at Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano, 13 Douglas Avenue.

Thanks to the publics generosity, EYPN not only reached, but exceeded our fundraising goal, said EYPN Board President Becky Hardekopf. Because of this, we were able to award all three scholarship applicants with a $500 scholarship.

The EYPN scholarship program supports Elgin High School students attending Elgin Community College this fall majoring in the Culinary or Hospitality fields.

The Fundraising is Fun-tasch-tic event offered nearly 20 raffle baskets donated by local businesses and organizations, including Domani Café, Ravenheart Coffee Elgin, Soulful Sparrow, Elgin Books, Santas Village Azoosement Park, East Dundee, Pretty Patrol LLC, Bowes Creek Country Club, Settlers Hill Golf Club, Als Café and Creamery, Toom Toom Thai Restaurant, Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano, Choochs Pizzeria, In The Neighborhood Deli, Macianos Pizza & Pastaria, Toms Auto Clinic, The Gourmet Kernel, Cheesecake Schmeesecake, Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Dixon Dance Academy.

The Elgin Young Professionals Network has great energy, ideas and valuable connections that all contributed to our event's success, said Hardekopf.

Founded in 2011, the Elgin Young Professionals Network consists of young Elgin area professionals working together to strengthen connections and the community. In addition to their scholarship program, EYPN coordinates periodic Cash Mobs at Elgin businesses to stimulate the local economy. Earlier this year, EYPN also instituted a new mentorship program where network members are paired up with various business and civic leaders in the Elgin community for professional development.