Elgin's YWCA to hold 5K walk fundraiser

Leaders of Elgin's YWCA say they need your help to keep their doors open.

The organization is holding a 5K walk this month to raise funds for operating expenses at the East Chicago Street facility.

"This helps us keep the lights on," YWCA CEO Julia McClendon said. "Funding is scarce. We're trying to make up the deficit to continue our adult and children programming."

The YWCA held a similar 2,500-foot pledge walk last year that raised an estimated $25,000 and helped the organization stay afloat.

"It went really well," McClendon said. "We feel lucky. The community has always been very supportive of the YWCA, and we are most grateful."

This year's pledge walk is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 30.

If you would like to sign up, pledge packets are available for individuals and teams at the YWCA, 220 E. Chicago St.

The 5K walk will start at Festival Park in downtown Elgin, follow the Fox River Bike Trail and return for a celebration at the park.

Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. that Sunday with a warm-up at 12:45 p.m. by Landin Chiropractic Care.

All pledges and donations will be used to fund programs at the YWCA -- which serves anywhere from 300 to 500 people a day.

The YWCA's programs include child care, health and wellness, adult education, youth services and family literacy.

Donations and pledges can also be made online at www.ywca.org/elgin.

You can also volunteer to help out with the walk by calling (847) 742-7930.

"We don't always have our hand out," McClendon said. "Sometimes that money is used to supplement a family in hard times. We provide a safe haven for a lot of youth.

"In October were also working on having panels on violence in our community," she said. "We work on a lot of different things like that."