Team challenge scholarship fundraiser Friday

The Elgin Parks and Recreation Department, teaming up with eight local businesses and community groups, will host the second annual Recreation Youth Scholarship Challenge from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

This event will provide an opportunity for friends and co-workers to have fun as a team, while providing financial support for a worthwhile Elgin cause.

In addition to competing in 12 events that evening, each team will compete to raise donations to meet the city's goal of $7,500.

Donations from the public can be earmarked to credit one of the participating teams. The team which raises the most funds will receive special recognition from the parks department. Donation forms are available at The Centre, Elgin city hall or at www.cityofelgin.org.

The Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to provide financial assistance to young people in Elgin whose families could not afford to register them for recreation programs. Currently, the Youth Scholarship Fund is supported by a special event known as the Fox Trot, which typically raises $25,000 per year for youth scholarship.

Since limited funds are available and participation in the program is high, funds are easily exhausted half-way through the year. As a result of the high participation and depleted funds, many children do not have the opportunity to participate when they come to apply for recreation programs.

The challenge assists in raising additional proceeds for the Youth Scholarship Fund so that all Elgin youth can participate in the parks programs. For details on making a donation, call The Centre at (847) 531-7018.