Community Corner
Enterprising Teens Launch Fundraiser for Area Educational Center
Local teens on a junior board raised funds for the Robert Crown Center for Health Education with a Rock Band Bash on Jan. 30.
Chances are, just about every teenager you know has a jam-packed daily itinerary that includes school, studying, sports, hanging out with friends and of course, Facebook.
But, how many teenagers do you know who can do all that, plus run a junior fundraising board in their spare time?
The Junior Board of the Hinsdale Robert Crown Center for Health Education is entering its second year of fundraising, and the number of area teens signing up to get involved is growing. The center's CEO Kathleen Burke said the young group's efforts are vital in keeping the facility operating.
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"They're the most engaging, committed group of fun teens", commented Burke, "and they contribute to our operating funds which helps us maintain the $5 admission fee it costs to come to the RCC."
The Robert Crown Center for Health Education is dedicated to teaching young children how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Each year, busloads of area kids, from pre-schoolers on up through high school, visit the center to learn about childhood obesity, human sexuality and the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol. These programs, said Burke, would not be available to the public without dedicated, ongoing fundraising efforts.
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Enter the Junior Board, comprised of 27 area teens and pre-teens, with a mission to help get the word out about making healthy choices. Riley Strumillo, 16, is a junior at Hinsdale Central High School, and the group's president. "We all got together because we liked the idea of helping other people" said Strumillo. "A lot of our parents knew each other and helped us form this board so that we could give back to the community."
Parent mentors attend each Sunday morning board meeting, guiding and helping the youth group organize their fundraising efforts. At a recent meeting, dozens of teens enthusiastically volunteered to head up committees like public relations, decorations and food and beverages for upcoming fundraisers.
A Rock Band Bash took place on Jan. 30, and a Spring Health Fair is slated for April. Both fundraisers will be teen and family oriented and hope to bring in lots of money for the center. Last year about $7,000 dollars was raised and many items donated, partially from area residents, relatives of board members and corporate sponsors like Microsoft, Aon and Kramer's Foods.
Junior Board member Christyn Lovelace, 16, is looking forward to volunteering for a good cause, "This gives me something really important to do in my spare time" she said. Strumillo agrees, adding that this experience has turned him on to a lifetime of volunteering, "This community is very important, and I love the way we get things done. It's truly a group effort and I want to do much more of this in the future."
For more information about getting involved with the Junior Board, visit the RCC website at www.robertcrown.org.
