By Russ George
On World Diabetes Day, Friday, Nov. 14, members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, held their second annual gala dinner “A Night To End Diabetes”, at the Lincoln Inn, Route 31, in Batavia.
More than 100 members and guests were in attendance to enjoy the social hour, complete with a large selection of hors d’oeuvres, along with a full service bar.
A plated meal, consisting of a small fillet and breast of chicken was served sharply at 7:30 p.m., desert followed dinner.
During the social hour, guests and club members purchased tickets for the 35 raffle baskets, along with viewing and bidding on the 20 silent auction items.
Following dinner, gala committee co-chairs, Mary and Tony Arch, kicked off our short program, welcoming everyone to our second annual gala dinner, being held this year on World Diabetes Day. They thanked everyone attending and/or supporting this year’s event, stating, “Without your support this event wouldn’t be a success, which allows our club to continue its fight against diabetes”! They went on to thank Lincoln Inn’s staff, the Phoenixx Band members, and the entire membership for helping with this year’s event, including the decoration committee: Arlene Hawks, Karen Kemp, Kim King, Ann McBride, and Barb Youngren; and the raffle committee: Donna Bohr, Jim Bohr, and Kim Nadar.
Russ George, president of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley came to the podium and spoke briefly about the diabetes epidemic we’re facing in our country. He then called upon Peggy Hasenauer, executive director, from UChicago Medicine-Kovler Diabetes Center to come forward to accept a $7,000 check, from the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley for diabetes research, bringing this year’s Diabetes Club contributions for research at Kovler to $10,000. President George, stated “UChicago Medicine’s Kovler Diabetes Center has been leading the way in research, to find a cure”.
Everyone enjoyed the live music by Phoenixx, a powerhouse of vintage rhythm and harmony channeling the spirit of legends from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley wish to thank this year’s Gala sponsors: Research Level: Dolan and Murphy Real Estate; Awareness Level: Aurora alderman Jonathan Nunez, Legacy Nutrition & Fitness and North Aurora Firefighters Association; Education Level: Aurora alderman Ed Bugg, Exquisite Skillet-Aurora, Fox Valley Park District, JB Architecture, Paul Buddy Plumbing and Heating, Pure Health Aurora, Scott & Lisa Roscoe, Rush Copley Medical Center, Leelyn Smith Wealth Management and United Wound Centers; Aid Level: Aurora alderman Ted Mesiacos, Joan Boldan, Paul & Paula Buddy, Rene & Silvia Cruz, Diana Jacobs, Mr. Scott’s Dog Spa, and Saporta Law Office.
Thanks to all the following businesses and individuals, for all the Raffle and Silent Action items donated, to help find a cure for diabetes through research: Ace Hardware-Lake St., Aurora, Ach-N-Lou’s Pizza-Aurora, Apple Villa-Batavia, Tony & Mary Arch, Banana Split-Aurora, Batavia Creamery-Batavia, Jon & Mary Kay Bieritz, Bliss Family, Joanie Boldan, Jim & Donna Bohr, John & Mary Bonk, Brems Family, Briana’s Pancake House-Batavia, Penny Brizzolara, Paul Buddy, Aurora Alderman Ed Bugg, Burnt Barrel-Sugar Grove, Chicken Salad Chick-Batavia, Cinnemark/Tinseltown Theater-North Aurora, Dickens Family, Brian & Kathy Dolan, Barbara Edwards, Ella’s Italian Pub-Geneva, Fireside Grille-Sugar Grove, Fox Valley Special Rec. Assoc., Funway-Batavia, Giardino Trattoria-Aurora, Theresa George, Russ & Marilyn George, Great Clips-Hansen Blvd.-North Aurora, Grey’s Mill-Montgomery, Layla Groleau, Jim & Kathy Guseman, Home Depot-Orchard Rd.-Aurora, Jake’s Bagels-Aurora, Junco Photography (Al Junco), Little Traveler-Geneva, Bob & Kim Nadr, Nosh-Geneva, O’Malley’s Pub-Aurora, Oak Street Restaurant- North Aurora, On The Edge Salon & Spa-North Aurora, Jason & Jessica Pall, Pal Joey’s-Batavia, Paramount Theaters-Aurora, Gary & Rita Pennington, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers-Warrenville, Rick Sanchez, Spartan Ale House-Aurora, St. Charles Park District-St. Charles, Superior Beverage-Montgomery, Tavern on Broadway-Aurora, The Turf Room-North Aurora, Lori Turner & Bob Rommel, Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano-Geneva,WindMill Grille & Pizzeria-Batavia, and Youngren’s Inc.
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley thanks everyone who purchased tickets to our second annual gala dinner, became an event sponsor, or made a financial or material donation.
Looking forward to seeing you next year!
Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley held their November membership meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora.
Chuck Nelson, vice president, introduced guest speakers Hlawn Tlang and Blend Dalipi, members of our Diabetes Club, who are undergraduate students at Aurora University, majoring in Health Science and minoring in Chemistry, both aspiring to become medical doctors.
Hlawn and Blend gave a great PowerPoint presentation “Healing Diabetes Together”, which was first presented in October, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Aurora.
This presentation was made possible because of all the research Hlawn, Blend and three other AU students had completed, including interviews with 255 individuals.
The AU students have compiled quite a bit of information in their quest to bring about an awareness of the dangers of diabetes, through their research, the brochures, and PowerPoint presentations, explaining how to stay diabetes-free!
Our country has a diabetes epidemic, that can only be solved by bringing groups of people together, highlighting the dangers of uncontrolled blood sugar (glucose), which can cause vision, heart and dental problems, in addition to nerve and kidney damage.
Let’s start eating healthy, while staying active and having a yearly blood test, to stay diabetes free!
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. A true grassroots organization, where all money raised through dues, donations and fundraising is used for the club’s fight against diabetes.
Tax deductible donations can be made on our website: diabeteshelpnearme.com or mail your tax deductible donation to: Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, P.O. Box 88, North Aurora, Illinois 60542.
Why not join our fight against diabetes? You don’t need to be diabetic to be a member of our club! Yearly individual membership dues are $50. Students $25. Corporate dues are $150 per year, which includes a sponsorship listing on our website: www.diabeteshelpnearme.com.
Have questions about the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, please call, text or send an E-mail with your name and address to president Russ George, 630-205-9065 or send Email: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com.
Please continue to keep informed about our club’s upcoming events, by following us in The Voice, on Facebook, and on our website: diabeteshelpnearme.com.