Arlington Heights Junior Woman's Club celebrates 75 years
What do the Arlington Heights Farmer's Market, Safety Town, and the Promenade of Art, in downtown Arlington Heights share in common?
They all can point to enterprising members of the Arlington Heights Junior Woman's Club, as the instigators.
Alumni members met Saturday at Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the club.
About 80 former members attended, coming from throughout the Midwest for the occasion, and whose memberships dated as far back as 1957.
Among them were 11 former presidents, including Jane Behrens, Kathy Day, Karen Goldman, Brenda Miller, Nancy Stacy, Claudia Starck, Kathy Supplitt, Chris Thomas, Kathy Warnick and Karen Wiggs.
The club's current president, Kathy Clegg, and incoming president, Sarah O'Connor, both of Arlington Heights, also attended.
Club members date their founding back to 1933, when women met to carry out community philanthropic projects. Their main objective then still drives its 40 members today: "Live each day, trying to accomplish something, not merely to exist."
Guests reflected on some of those accomplishments, including their major contributions to Northwest Community Hospital - more than $200,000 - as well as the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Women In Need Growing Stronger, breast cancer research, Habitat for Humanity, Misericordia and Shelter, Inc.
Beyond raising money, club members work on service projects nearly every month. Over the years they have impacted the Arlington Heights Historical Society housewalk, Clearbrook holiday parties, Wheeling Township food pantry, PADS and Meals on Wheels, to name a few.
Even at Saturday's luncheon, members did not rest completely. They took up a collection for one of their newest charities, Faith Community Homes, which provides supportive housing assistance to working families in the community, who cannot maintain their housing costs.
Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder attended the event, and presented the former members with an official proclamation, commending them for their 75 years of service and dedication to the community.
The former members didn't miss a beat. They immediately responded by making Mulder an honorary member.