Mundelein launches fundraiser to help restore old fire truck

You can help restore Mundelein's recently re-acquired, original fire truck by shopping at any Jewel-Osco store on special dates in December.

And it won't cost you a penny more than what you already plan to spend on groceries.

On nine days in December, Jewel-Osco customers can present special Shop & Share coupons when they're checking out to have 5 percent of the value of their total purchases donated to the village's fire truck restoration project.

"I commend Jewel for doing projects like this and making this opportunity available," Assistant Village Administrator Michael Flynn said. "It's really a donation by Jewel to support their community, and that's just fabulous."

The effort aims to restore a 1925 Stoughton fire truck that was about to be turned into scrap metal before it was saved by a retired firefighter and then sold to the village.

The special Jewel-Osco shopping days are Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17.

The Shop & Share coupons must be brought to the supermarket; they are not available at stores.

You can get coupons at village hall, 440 E. Hawley St., or on the village's Web site, mundelein.org.

No additional donations are required as part of the Jewel-Osco promotion, just the coupon.

"It's a very effective way to donate," Flynn said. "Bring the coupon - that's the key - and Jewel will do the rest."

Village leaders and volunteers are restoring the truck for Mundelein's upcoming centennial celebration.

The town was called Rockefeller when it formally incorporated in 1909, was renamed Area later that year and became Mundelein in 1924.

That final renaming honored Roman Catholic Cardinal George Mundelein. As a sign of appreciation for taking his name, the cardinal gave the village the fire truck in 1925.

The vehicle remained in use until 1945. The village purchased the truck last month for $11,000.

Restoring the truck could cost $60,000, according to village estimates. Officials hope to unveil the vehicle at a public celebration in October 2009.

Nearly $2,300 has been raised for the project so far.

Although fundraising has only recently begun, the village is gradually paying the restoration team to do the work. Money raised will help pay for the project and reimburse the village, Flynn said.

"The more we raise, the better job we can do on the restoration," he said.

To make a financial contribution or to donate services, call Flynn at (847) 949-3223 or send an e-mail to mflynn@mundelein.org.