On Giving Tuesday, December 2, suburban retired teachers gave back.
Members of the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association celebrated an annual holiday luncheon at Lincoln Inn in Batavia with donations to Aurora community groups.
Donations of winter hats, gloves, and other winter gear filled a table. The donations will help warm patrons of Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora.
Also at the luncheon, AARTA members signed their names on greeting cards for people without friends or relatives at the holidays. The cards will go to Wayside Cross Ministries based in Aurora. Wayside is a bible-centered, non-profit that serves individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction, poverty and despair. Six ministries include residential recovery programs, transitional housing, life-skills training and spiritual guidance. The organization is dedicated to addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those it serves through its programs.
Entertaining at the gathering was Rick “The Singing Cowboy” Pickren, who sang holiday favorites. He accompanied himself with guitar and harmonicas. Pickren is a descendant of Buffalo Bill Cody and an actor, singer and songwriter.
Other event features included a fifth annual craft fair, cookie exchange and a charity raffle.
Founded in 1958, Aurora-based AARTA is a nonprofit social-service group including about 350 retirees from Fox Valley school districts. Membership is open to retired teachers, administrators, support staff, and spouses.
—Al Benson