Aurora Kiwanis to honor Arlene and Dick Hawks at Oct. 13 dinner
The Kiwanis Club of Aurora will present their Service To God and Fellowman Award to Arlene and Dick Hawks at a banquet in their honor on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Gaslite Manor.
The award honors a community member for their exemplary leadership skills, consistent service as a role model, and improving the lives of Aurora area residents, especially children.
The partnership of Arlene and Dick Hawks has produced a tremendous amount of good for the community, residents and especially the children of Aurora.
Over more than 40 years, they have consistently contributed to the growth and well-being of this community to the great benefit of others.
Dick, a Vietnam War veteran, attended Marmion Military Academy before studying at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Procopius College, University of Maryland and Aurora University. A successful broker and financial adviser, Dick worked at several firms, most notably Oberweis Securities and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. For decades, he has generously shared his financial expertise with the many local organizations and agencies to which he has contributed endless volunteer hours.
Over the years, Dick served as a board member of the Aurora Public Library, Aurora University, Waubonsee Community College Foundation, Sci-Tech Hands-On Museum and, quite notably, the Aurora Civic Center Authority which owns and operates the Paramount Theater and North Island Center, as well as co-chair (with Arlene) of the Paramount Arts Center Endowment. He spent decades on the ACCA board, many of them as chairman. Dick was a key player in the financial plan between the City of Aurora and ACCA for revenue sharing of riverboat gambling funds which allowed for the initial survival and ultimate growth of the Paramount Theater. It was under his chairmanship that the Paramount lobby was expanded, a new executive director hired, and the overall direction of the performing arts center was transformed into the extremely successful, award-winning operation that it is today.
Arlene's generosity of time and expertise to the Aurora community equally impressive. Alongside Dick, she committed decades of volunteer service to local residents' quality of life, especially to children. With a master's degree from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University, she has shared her energy, time and passion with numerous generations of youth, encouraging all young people who crossed her path to believe in themselves, learn and pursue their greatest potential.
Arlene spent a long career teaching and creating dreams with young people, first at Simmons Junior High School, then Aurora University and finally East Aurora High School. She spent 32 years as head of East Aurora High School's theater department, positively influencing thousands of young lives. In recognition of her exceptional commitment and service to the students of East High, the school's auditorium was named in her honor following her retirement. While at East High she did not spend summers enjoying time off, as many teachers might, but instead directed the Fox Valley Park District's Summer Stage productions from 1983 to 2017.
Arlene's retirement from teaching, and commitment to encouraging children's dreams, was short lived. Her next stop was executive director of Aurora's Sci-Tech Hands-On Museum. There she worked diligently to develop additional support, outreach, exhibits and long-term plans for the museum. She additionally became actively involved in the Aurora Downtown organization helping market the downtown arena through special events such as Downtown Alive concerts.
Like her husband, Arlene has always found time to commit her energies and expertise to community volunteer activities. She co-chaired the Paramount Arts Center Capital Campaign which raised funds to expand the theater's lobby into the Grand Gallery. She has served on the Aurora Public Art Commission. She has lent her time and energy to Communities in Schools, Aurora Area United Way, Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Provena Senior Services, and Retired Teachers Association. For many years, Arlene emceed Aurora's annual Easter Seals Telethon and directed the Holy Angels Church Guitar Mass.
Both Dick and Arlene spent many years actively volunteering for CASA Kane County, working on behalf of neglected and abused children. In 2012, they were honored by CASA for their long-term volunteer commitment to that organization and the children they serve.
Through their volunteer service, sharing of their time, energy, expertise and financial support, Arlene and Dick Hawks have consistently affected a positive impact on the lives of thousands of youths who would have otherwise been neglected, abused, under fed, under educated, underrepresented and/or lost or left behind. They have provided hope and encouraged dreams for young and old in the Aurora area without any consideration of return for themselves other than the satisfaction that they made a positive difference in people's lives. It is astounding to see what an immense positive impact they have had on so many lives, organizations and agencies in the Aurora area.
In announcing the award, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora stated, “The Hawks are an example of the kind of persons — givers, supporters, friends, benefactors, workers, advocates, community leaders — that each and every one of us should strive to be.”
Founded on Sept. 9, 1916, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora was the first club in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District and the twenty-first club chartered in the world. The club currently has nearly 100 members. The club sponsors Key Clubs at East and West Aurora High School, IMSA, and Aurora Central Catholic High School and a Circle K International at Aurora University. It also helped found new Kiwanis clubs in Oswego, Yorkville, Sugar Grove and Fox Valley.
To make a reservation, visit www.aurorakiwanis.org. RSVP deadline is Friday, Oct. 8.
Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple for dinner choice of filet, chicken reganati or vegetable lasagna.