Centro de Informacion celebrates 50th anniversary at annual luncheon May 4

Centro de Información will continue its "Celebrando 50" anniversary by hosting the annual Community Day Luncheon on Wednesday, May 4, at the Elgin Country Club. It will start at 11:30 a.m.

The speaker will be Antonio Ramirez, associate professor of history and political science at Elgin Community College. He will speak about the history of Hispanics in the Elgin area.

The following recipients will be recognized for their contributions to Centro de Información and/or the community:

• The Noon Rotary Club of Elgin, longtime supporter and funder of Centro programs, is celebrating 100 years of serving the community.

• Gwen Gage, interim director of Centro de Información in the 1980s, has been a supporter and sponsor of Centro's annual galas for many years. In 2021, she volunteered as co-coordinator of the gala with Janine Kirkland.

• Mike Alft, former teacher at Elgin High School and former Elgin City Councilman, served as mayor of Elgin in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was also an Elgin historian and advocated for access to services for the Hispanic community. He died last November and remembered Centro by leaving a gift from the estate of Mike and Fran Alft.

The community is invited to honor these individuals and participate in Centro's ongoing celebration of 50 years of service by attending their annual Community Day Luncheon.

Tickets and more information can be found at communityluncheon2022.eventbrite.com.

Tickets are $40 or $45 at the door. Please RSVP by Friday, April 29, to save your seat at this special event to support one of the community's crucial agencies.

Interested sponsors should email Jaime Garcia at jgarcia@centrodeinformacion.org.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Centro de Informacion, a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency that provides bilingual advocacy for thousands of immigrants each year at locations in Elgin, Carpentersville, and Hanover Park.