Elgin police, local McDonald's raise money for Renz Center at softball game

With the close of summer drawing near, the Elgin Police Department and the Bear Family McDonald's thought it would be the perfect time to support their community and raise money for the Renz Center.

They gathered at the Elgin Sports Complex Diamond No. 1 for an epic softball game on July 31.

The Renz Center provides help with substance abuse, gambling disorder counseling and treatment services. In addition too, HIV prevention services, teen pregnancy education, employee assistance services for small businesses, and substance misuse prevention education for youth and the community including drug/gang prevention coalition building. For more on the Renz Center, visit renzcenter.org.

In addition to a spectacular softball game, the Bear Family McDonald's and the Elgin police raised $2,000 for the Renz Center.

Deb Howe, director of marketing and fund development, was overwhelmed by the support from the Elgin police and the Bear Family McDonald's.

For David Bear, a second-generation McDonald's franchise owner-operator of the Elgin McDonald's stores, having more than 50 years of giving history in the Elgin community, he was thrilled to be a part of this charity event.

"We (Bear family) are proud of the role we've played in Elgin over the years, and we are happy to see the community come together to support the Renz Center and all the great work they do in Elgin," Bear said.

Supporters at the event were thrilled to buy 50/50 raffle tickets and concessions to support Renz Center. Team Bear said they want to make this an annual event.

Proceeds from the sale of McDonald's apple pies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, apple slices, and water bottles, went directly to benefit Renz. The winner of the 50/50 raffle also donated her win to the Renz Center.

The Bear Family Restaurants and McDonald's owner-operator David Bear and also the Elgin Police hosted this event. Follow /www.facebook.com/BearFamilyMcDonalds/ and visit bearfamilyrestaurants.com.

For more information about events provided by the Elgin McDonald's, contact Julie Travers, community relations director, at julie.travers@comcast.net.