Elgin Woman's Club notes

The Elgin Woman's Club begins its 2008 meetings at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12 with a program and luncheon at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.

Presented by the home life department, the program will feature a presentation by Cherie Aschenbrenner, Elgin Police Department crime prevention specialist and elderly service officer, and Elgin police detective Todd Ramljak, financial crimes investigator, discussing "Identity Theft."

Aschenbrenner will discuss how to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, ways people can safeguard themselves, and how information is obtained by criminals.

Ramljak will talk about what happens once you are a victim -- what to do first -- making a police report, calling credit card companies and how he investigates identity theft cases.

The hostesses for the February meeting will be club members Toni Geister, Shirley Fletcher and Grace Hornish. Members also are asked to bring a dozen cookies for a cookie sale to be held at the meeting. For information about the sale, Ethel Gardner may be contacted.

Reservations should be made no later than Feb. 8 by calling the EWC hotline at (847) 622-3614. Cost of the luncheon meeting and program is $13 and may be paid by check the day of the meeting.

Since the club was founded in 1887, members have supported hundreds of local projects including yearly scholarships to students from area high schools. The club's major accomplishment was the founding of Sherman Hospital in 1888. In addition, members serve as readers in local schools, volunteers in hospitals and other agencies throughout the Elgin area and are active in recycling, conservation, women's health, international affairs and other projects.

Women who want to know more about the Elgin Woman's Club, recognized for 120 years as a leading philanthropic organization, may call the hotline. A club member will return their call within 24 hours. As a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs there is a variety of club information on the Web site, www.gfwc.org.