Country makes donation to Elgin club for kids

Country Insurance and Financial Services recently donated $1,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin in honor of South Elgin resident David Kujawa, an agent who serves on the club's auxiliary board.

"Country cares about the communities in which we operate, and we're proud of our employee and agent volunteers," says Deanna Frautschi, executive vice president of human resources and communications.

"Country was founded on the principle of people helping people. David's volunteerism is an inspiring example of how our people work to strengthen their communities."

Kujawa was honored with the organization's Community Service Award, a distinction created to recognize volunteers who go above and beyond in their volunteer activities.

Kujawa has volunteered with the club for four years and currently serves on the auxiliary board committee, which reviews all development activities.

The largest portion of his time goes toward the Boys and Girls Club's Duck Race, the club's largest fundraiser. This year, he served as co-chairman for the event, which directly funds programs for more than 100 at-risk youth who visit the club every week.

Kujawa is also a court-appointed special advocate and guardian ad-litem for abused and neglected children with the Kane County juvenile court system.

In that role, he advocates on behalf of the children, lending one consistent voice throughout the juvenile court process.

A committee of people from different areas of Country selected Kujawa, an agent with the Schaumburg/Elgin agency.

Kujawa serves clients from the Elgin Country office at 1814 Grandstand Place.

The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin was established in November 1993 to provide alternative prevention programs for the area's at-risk youth. In 12 years, the club has served more than 2,700 children through its membership and outreach efforts. Its mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.