By Ricky Rieckert
(Part Six)
Welcome back to part six about service clubs in Aurora; the ones that once were, and the ones that are still out there, fighting for good causes to help people.
We’ll start with the Optimist Club. I believe they’re no longer existent in Aurora. Their mission: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimist’s bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.
Another group is the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705, which built their building in a Mayan style, in 1926.
It was built on Stolp Island, 77 South Stolp Avenue, (Island Avenue), and is included in the Stolp Island Historic District. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, in 1980, when I believe the club may have closed.
The property was purchased in 2015 by Karademas Management, and presently has 29 upscale housing units.
The Elks are known for their community service, patriotism, and mutual aid.
They are a fraternal organization with a strong charitable foundation that supports veterans, youth, and various community initiatives.
The Aurora Sunrise Rotary (Rotary Club), still operating today, is a service-oriented organization and volunteers assist many local and global organizations.
The Kiwanis Club of Aurora has been in Aurora for many years. The members are dedicated and share a passion for community service. They bring together leaders who dedicate their time and talent to make a difference in their community.
I personally went to their pancake breakfast at the former Masonic Temple on the southeast side of Benton Street and Lincoln Avenue, in the 1970s.
In addition, I took my mother to the new Aurora Central Catholic High School, their present location, years ago. It’s an annual fundraiser, which they just held two weeks ago.
In addition, I bought a 100th anniversary license plate from Dave, a member, who had them created a year before the Club’s century celebration.
I’ll finish this week with the Knights of Columbus. I served five years as Grand Knight at Council #736 and I am in my 11th year as Grand Knight at Our Lady of Good Counsel (O.L.G.C.) #14929.
People from time to time ask me where does the money go for the Knights of Columbus Intellectual Disability (I.D.) / Tootsie Roll Drive?
Well, at my Council, we have to send a check to the State K of C, where they keep 10% and issue checks to the charitable organizations of our choice, here in Aurora. We split our 90% collected in half, with half going to Association for Individual Development (AID) and the other half to Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA).
The 10% collected by the State K of C is used for Special Olympics throughout Illinois, among other charitable organizations.
The Knights paid to have the the Ronald McDonald House built in Winfield, Ill., across the street from Northwestern Medicine Central Dupage Hospital.
They now have 10,000 ultrasound machines in the State, thanks to help from the Knights. They give young women a chance to see their baby, and a lot of them go through with the pregnancy, rather than aborting the child.
So you see, without these service clubs, life for many, would be terrible.
Thank you for all that you do and for continued support in the future.
Next week I will write on the Cosmopolitan Club, the Diabetes Club of the Fox Valley, and the Aurora Lions Club, (Aurora Noon Lions Club).
Have a great week.