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Retired teachers to host drive-thru lunch sale to benefit coats for kids, scholarship

Friday is the deadline to sign up for a to-go luncheon fundraiser by Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association.

AARTA will hold a drive-thru box lunch sale from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road in Aurora.

Entree selections are Greek chicken, roast pork and fettuccini Alfredo. Side dishes included are roasted potatoes, green beans and dessert.

The public is invited. The cost is $20. Reservations are due Friday, Nov. 20. Send reservations with checks or money orders payable to AARTA to Dick Schindel, 784 Morningside Ave., Aurora, IL 60505 or call Schindel, AARTA president, at (630) 921-1307.

AARTA is a local nonprofit comprising 370 former educators from Aurora, Batavia and Kaneland. The educational and service group suspended in-person meetings at Gaslite Manor in March due to the pandemic.

Proceeds will benefit a Coats for Kids drive by Aurora Communities in Schools (CIS) and AARTA's scholarship fund. CIS provides free after-school and summer programs and counseling access to help Aurora students achieve in school and in life. AARTA's scholarship fund awards $1,500 annually to a local high school student.

Schindel, an Aurora resident and retired East Aurora schools educator, said the members' initial drive-thru fundraiser in October yielded $1,300 each for Marie Wilkinson and Aurora Interfaith food pantries, both in Aurora. Funds raised included $1,035 in cash donations by AARTA members.

According to Schindel, the October event sold 116 box lunches to AARTA members and friends, collected 96 lap blankets handmade by members and sold about 200 face masks made by members.

After the drive-through, AARTA volunteers delivered blankets to nursing homes in Aurora and Batavia. Recipients were Jennings Terrace, Elmwood Terrace, Symphony of Orchard Valley and The Grove of Fox Valley, all in Aurora; and Batavia Rehabilitation Center.

Schindel praised George Bozonelos, manager of Gaslite Manor and Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia, for preparing dinners.

Founded in 1958, AARTA community-service projects include labor and cash donations to local food pantries, a scholarship to a local high school student planning to become a teacher, "Warm Fuzzies" blanket donations to senior centers, donations of school supplies to Aurora schools and other projects.

New members are welcome. Call (630) 921-1307, e-mail dickschindel@comcast.net or visit www.auroraarearta.org for more information.

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