Race sponsors partnerships with Rotary benefit both organizations

The Schaumburg Shuffle celebrated its 5th anniversary this year, drawing more than 300 runners over the Septemberfest weekend, including children. Less than one week later, the Germanfest run in Hoffman Estates doubled its entries in just the second year.

So what do these 5K runs share in common?

Both benefited the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates, and its local initiatives that support the two communities and their high schools in particular.

On Labor Day, Christopher Scheil of Schaumburg was the overall winner of the Schaumburg Shuffle, while Barbara Pawlicki of Hoffman Estates was the first woman to cross the finish line.

On Sept. 12, at the scenic Prairie Stone Business Park, David Kingman of Barrington was the first to cross the finish line, while Marian DelaRosa of Rolling Meadows was the first female to finish.

Rotarians come from all walks of life, but Jim Britton, principal of Hoffman Estates High School, says he joined the Rotary Club after he saw the impact on the community by funds donated by the club.

He points to the Blessings in the Backpack programs at Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg High Schools, as well as support for the services that will be connected to the newly renovated Higgins Education Center, located adjacent to Hoffman Estates High School.

Beginning this year, the Higgins Center houses the Adult Transition program, the District 211 Academy, and New Endeavors, a program designed for students demonstrating characteristics on the autism spectrum.

The Schaumburg Shuffle, sponsored this year by Chick-fil-A, has earmarked the Rotary Club for its proceeds from the beginning, says race Director Lynn Crimm, but this was the first year for Germanfest.

Clayton Black, with the village of Hoffman Estates, said Germanfest's reasons were twofold: they wanted to align themselves with a charity, and they needed volunteers.

"The Rotary Club benefits a lot of local causes," Black said, "and they provided us with a good volunteer base."

Rotarians helped with everything from set up and break down, to serving as marshals along the course.

In Schaumburg, where race organizers say they have the logistics down to a science, Rotarians combined as marshals with members of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity at the Roosevelt University College of Pharmacy.

Britton describes the Rotary's mission as grass-roots, serving out its mission to help local families, quietly, behind the scenes.

Sure, club members support Rotary International's worldwide projects, including eradicating polio, providing clean drinking water and promoting literacy, but it's the chance to impact the surrounding communities that drives members.

"These are people in our own backyards," says Nanette Sowa, superintendent of development for the Northwest Special Recreation Association and a Rotary Club member. "Working together on these community events is one way we can make a difference."