Elgin plans get-together of great proportions

Elgin's "heart" is about to get a little bigger.

Organizers of the first "Have a Heart" dinner, which was designed to feed those less fortunate, have decided to expand their original idea after seeing its impact firsthand.

During the Valentine's Day event, organizer Jeff Turner couldn't help but notice the camaraderie between volunteers and the less-fortunate people the event was designed to feed.

So Turner, who also is owner of In The Neighborhood Deli in Elgin, decided to expand the next dinner to anyone from Elgin, regardless of income. The first dinner attracted 750 people to the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

Now, he expects some 4,000 people to show up for "Together We're Elgin," planned from noon to 5 p.m. June 5 in the plaza between the Hemmens and city hall, 150 Dexter Court.

"It's for all walks of life, whoever wants to come. From the less fortunate to the well off. I just want to get the city together," Turner said. "It's going to be like a big picnic for the entire city."

On the menu are burgers, hot dogs, chips and perhaps barbecued chicken.

Also sponsoring the event are the city of Elgin, Rotary Club and the Elgin Community Network. Turner also teamed up with Nick's Pizza and Goodfellas catering, both of Elgin, and lined up live entertainment by The Reverends and Vehicle, which are local bands.

Turner said the picnic will include a not-for-profit fair where people who are struggling can find out what type of services are available.

The event also dovetails nicely with the Elgin Community Network's annual event where 100 to 150 volunteers improve neighborhoods by remove chain-link fences from area homes and doing maintenance for elderly homeowners. The ECN event usually is followed by lunch, so volunteers will head to Turner's picnic.

"It's really a great way to make a change in a neighborhood," said David Kaptain, ECN executive director and an Elgin City Councilman. "We're not only going to have a lunch. We're going to help people out."

If it rains, organizers will move "Together We're Elgin" to the basement of the nearby Hemmens and cook outside.

"You can be homeless or live in a penthouse," Turner said. "It's totally free for anyone who wants to come."

For more information, to donate or volunteer, call (847) 888-9486 or e-mail itndeli@gmail.com or visit elgin-ecn.org or call (847) 741-7375 to learn more abour the ECN event.