Mundelein officials optimistic about fire truck fundraiser

A fundraising drive to pay for the restoration of Mundelein's recently reacquired first fire truck is heating up as the village prepares for a slew of centennial celebrations.

More than $4,500 in donations have been collected since the effort began late last year. The goal for organizers is $55,000.

"We're well on our way," Assistant Village Administrator Mike Flynn said Tuesday. "We're really just starting the campaign drive."

The 1925 Stoughton fire truck was given to the village that year by Roman Catholic Cardinal George Mundelein in gratitude for naming the town in his honor.

The vehicle remained in use until 1945. It changed hands several times through the years but was purchased in 1994 by retired Mundelein firefighter Jim Carew, who recognized the vehicle's lineage and saved it from a scrap pile.

Carew, a Wisconsin resident who collects and restores old fire trucks, is returning the Mundelein vehicle to its once pristine condition.

The village bought the truck from Carew last year. It's paying Carew gradually as the project progresses, and will be reimbursed by donations.

Officials hope to unveil the truck at a public centennial event in October.

That gala likely will cap a year of anniversary events for Mundelein, which was incorporated in 1909 under the name Rockefeller. It was renamed Area later that year and became Mundelein in 1924.

The anniversary activities begin Feb. 7 with an opening ceremony at Lincoln School. Scheduled for the same day are open houses at several municipal and historical buildings, including village hall, the police and fire stations, and the Round Robin Bed & Breakfast.

Future events include a Feb. 25 presentation about Mundelein's history at the Fremont Public Library, a March 21 blood drive at Mundelein High School and a May 30 concert at the University of St. Mary of the Lake's auditorium.

For a schedule and more information about the centennial events, visit mundelein.org/centennial/index.html.

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