Elgin Township hosts free community event showcasing local organizations

According to Township Supervisor Vern Tepe, Elgin Township is home to many social service agencies and service clubs that make it a better place to live.

To cast a spotlight on them, Elgin Township is hosting a free community event on Saturday, Aug. 15, to showcase the value of nearly 30 of these organizations, how they can assist residents, what volunteer opportunities exist to help the organizations, and social service and driver/delivery job opportunities.

The event is open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Elgin Township campus at 729 S. McLean Blvd. in Elgin. Rain date is Aug. 22.

It will include organization information, a volunteer fair, a pet adoption fair, family fun, and food from vendor Dairy Queen.

New this year is a dunk tank dignitary fundraiser for Food For Greater Elgin. For $5 for three tries, you can try to dunk Township Trustee Ed Hanson, Elgin City Councilmen Corey Dixon and Anthony Ortiz, Food For Greater Elgin CEO Andre Diez, and Elgin Township political organization chairmen Ed Rzeppa (D) and David Teas (R).

For $10 for three throws, you can try to dunk Elgin Township Supervisor and Kane County Board member Vern Tepe.

All funds collected will be donated to Food For Greater Elgin to help them with the increased demand caused by reductions or losses of SNAP benefits for some households and the continued increases in food prices. All dunk tank donors will receive a free Brittain’s car wash while supplies last.

Family fun includes a 15-vehicle Touch-a-Truck that will allow for an up-close view of an assortment of vehicles, including an Elgin Township Road District dump truck and mini-front loader, emergency vehicles from the city of Elgin’s police and fire departments and the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District and the village of South Elgin, a front loader and snowplow from the village of South Elgin, a garbage truck from Groot, a street sweeper from the city of Elgin’s public works, an Ozinga cement truck, and a U-46 minibus. Also, the U.S. Postal Service will be showcasing their new “Ugly Duck Mail Truck,” the newest delivery vehicle model.

There also will be an expanded vintage car show coordinated by JP Car Shows, but those vehicles are “Look, but don’t touch!”

An Elgin Township cow will be available for selfies (say, “Cheese”), and there will be a drawing to crown her with a befitting name. Kids can enjoy the Elgin Police Department’s bouncy house, as well as fall in love with a cat or dog at the pet adoption fair from Fur Keeps Animal Rescue.

Attendees can try their hands at the “What Makes Elgin Township Tick?” spinning wheel to try to win a tasty prize by correctly answering a township trivia question. Players who complete their Elgin Township Event Bingo card are eligible to enter the drawing for some great prizes.

Information will also be available about Elgin Township’s new Community Solar Program that gives Elgin Township residents an opportunity to save up to 15% on electricity costs — up to 20% for those on government assistance!

Event sponsors are Father Time Level: Groot, Father Time Level: Elgin State Bank, and Pocket Watch Level: Greater Family Health.

Parking is available at 799 S. McLean Blvd. and 800 S. McLean Blvd., as well as shuttle bus service from the Moose Lodge parking lot at 825 S. McLean Blvd.

For more information, go to elgintownship.com or call (847) 741-2045. Follow Elgin Township on Facebook and Instagram.