Elgin Fideliter Club presents $20,500 donation to Food for Greater Elgin

The Fideliter Club of Elgin, one of the area's longest established charities founded in 1882, recently presented a $20,500 monetary donation to Food For Greater Elgin.

It was presented with added recognition to the club's emeritus member Merrie Meadows, who serves as co-chairman of the board of W.R. Meadows Inc. in Hamsphire.

A longtime supporter of the club, she served as Fideliter Club president in 2005 and chair of the club's annual Fideliter Charities Ball in 2004.

In addition, she has followed the legacy of both her grandmother, Edna Meadows, and mother, Ruth Meadows, who were also Fideliter Club members.

Meadows is an active community partner supporting the World Leaders Forum at Judson University, the Elgin YWCA, Amita Health St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, as well as numerous other Elgin area community organizations and events. In 2019, Meadows was honored with the Judson University Golden Eagle Award for her dedication and service in helping to establish the World Leaders Forum. It is one of the highest non-degree honors given by Judson University.

The donation to Food For Greater Elgin was given to assist the Milk2MyPlate program.

"We are pleased to continue our support of Food for Greater Elgin," said Judy Hanlon, Fideliter Club president. "It continues our club's direct mission of feeding Elgin area children. Our recognition of Merrie is an important way we can honor a club member who has truly made a difference in helping us accomplish our goals."

The main objective of the Fideliter Club is to provide monetary assistance to local nonprofits whose primary focus is feeding children in the Fox Valley. Through its annual Fideliter Charities Ball and raffle donations, the organization raises funds to support four area nonprofit organizations: Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, Food for Greater Elgin, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

The Fideliter Club of Elgin is proud of its focus on feeding children in the Fox Valley.

"In addition to our club's cash donations," added Hanlon, "our members volunteer their time each month at one of our designated nonprofits, which the club considers partners in their mission."

The Fideliter Club of Elgin was founded in 1882 by dedicated women who gathered food and clothing to distribute to the needy. They assisted in many other charitable endeavors throughout the community. In 1885, the Charity Gala was initiated to help the organization's philanthropic needs.

"Due to this year's pandemic crisis our long-standing 132nd Fideliter Charities Ball will not be held," said Hanlon. "However, we will continue to support our local charities through the generosity of our devoted sponsors."

For more information about the Fideliter Club, the Fideliter Charities Ball, and sponsorship support and donations, contact Bonnie Henn-Pritchard at (817) 879-5358.