Elgin Area Chamber to honor volunteers at luncheon

In the spirit of the season, the Elgin Area Chamber will give thanks to five local volunteers at its annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building E.

The program will weave "thanks" and "giving" through storytelling as guests begin the holiday season through this long-standing community tradition.

This 39th annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon will feature networking from 11:30 a.m. to noon, followed by a buffet luncheon and program until 1:15 p.m.

Table centerpieces will be provided by Elgin Area School District U-46 students.

They also will sing the praises of five unsung heroes in the community. These special volunteers are the very fabric of the community, providing guidance and leadership to organizations in Elgin and South Elgin.

Local service clubs and nonprofit organizations also will be recognized at this nondenominational luncheon as they provide critical programs and services to neighbors.

The following five award-winning volunteers, who were nominated by local nonprofit agencies, will be recognized for their achievements by the group's Enhancing Elgin committee:

• Dick Meier, nominated by Habitat for Humanity ReStore;

• Rise Jones, nominated by the Enhancing Elgin Committee;

• Mark Gibson, nominated by Renz Addiction Counseling Center;

• Carla Sattler, nominated by Centro de Informacion;

• Pat Hayden, nominated by Habitat for Humanity Build Sites.

The featured speaker is Ken Franzese, principal with Lee & Associates of Illinois and volunteer with the Elgin Development Group.

He will share his story of surviving a plane crash on May 6 as a passenger in a recently restored World War II single-engine torpedo bomber airplane. Franzese and the pilot were bringing the TBM Avenger plane home to Illinois from California when it experienced engine failure over the mountainous terrains of the Gila National Forest, about 45 miles from Whiteriver, Arizona. You'll hear Ken's harrowing story of survival, his gratitude and the power of prayer in his rescue.

Sponsored by Shales McNutt Construction, Advocate Sherman Hospital, Elgin Community College and Northwestern Medicine, this annual nondenominational event, which celebrates Elgin's nonprofit community, is open to the public.

Tickets for $30 are available in advance at www.ElginChamber.com.