MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  Join us for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 5th at the North Park Fire Station (Harlem Rd) from 8am - Noon.  Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, milk, juice & coffee for just $5 per person.  Each child receives a gift from Santa.  Professional photos with Santa by Solko Photography starting at just $10.  There will also be great door prizes!  No reservations are needed.

Thank you to our sponsors:  By the Dozen Bakery, Hawk's View Restaurant, North Park Fire, and Trickie Enterprises
 

Hand-n-Hand Child Care Center is now caring for children enrolled in the Harlem School District who attend morning Kindergarten.  These children can have breakfast at HCC, catch the bus to school, and be bussed by in time for lunch and fun afternoon activities!  This is a great opportunity for parents who work to know that their children are safe and enrolled in a licensed facility.  Additionally, they will be exposed to Hand-n-Hand's Creative Curriculum to further enhance their education.  Call now to enroll.  Only 40 children can be accepted.
 

Join us for this fun car show to be held at HCC, 900 Roosevelt Rd, Machesney Park, on Saturday June 13, 2009.  It opens at 8:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm. 

The car show feawtures Jason Schubert '05 & '07 World Power Wheel Standing Champion, as featured in Car Craft Magazine and on the Speed Channel.  Special invited guests include the DARE Vetter, North Park Fire Dept's 1947 International Fire Truck, Robert Fuches and his 1968 (7 sec) Mustang, along with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Dept Mobile Command Unit.

All cars are welcome.  There will be entertainment, concessions, wings, door prizes, muffler rappin' contest, dunk tank, 50/50, and a live auction.  Registration can be done in advance or on the day from 8-Noon.  The cost is $12 the day of the show.  There will be participant voting and attendance prizes with 40 trophies given.

Pre-Registration is $15 per vehicle with an event t-shirt.  For more information, contact Matt Dickson at 815-977-1975 or 815-637-6449.

 

The ninth annual Parks Pinnacle Award luncheon was held Thursday, February 19th at the Forest Hills Country Club.  The event recognizes service to the community which enhances the quality of life and positive image in the Loves Park and Machesney Park communitites.  This year ten finalists attended the event.  The winners were:  
         Service to the Community by an Adult:  William and Vivian Ryerson
         Service to the Community by a Youth:  Cory Koelker
         Service to the Community by a Non-Profit/Organization:  Loves Park Lions
A special recognition award, named the Rising Stars, was given to the Machesney Elementary School Random Acts of Kindness Club.

We would like to thank all who attended this wonderful event.  This year's gold and scholarship sponsors were:  OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (gold) and A.W. Anderson Agency, Rock Valley Credit Union, and Woodward (scholarship).

 

HCC gratefully accepted a check for $6000 from the Third Annual Police and Fire Softball Tournament.  Rob Czech, of the Loves Park Police Association, organized this very successful and fun event which was held at the HCC Sports Complex on Saturday, August 23rd.  Twelve teams of firefighters and police officers competed in the double elimination tournament.  The event began three years ago as a game between the Loves Park Police and Fire departments and has grown to an all day tournament. 

 

Unfortunately, the Village of Roscoe chose not to fund the summer Playground Program that had been offered for the first time last summer.  The program had received great feedback from its participants but HCC was not invited to present its proposal for the Village.  HCC had submitted a bid which was only $34/week per child with no parent co-pay but was not selected.  Parents who had participated in that program can contact Michelle at 885-4862 to see if there are other ways their children can participate. 

Cronies held its first annual fundraiser for HCC this July.  The event featured a fun filled day of food and music.  HCC thanks Cronies for their generous donation of $500 to the activities of the Center.  We can't wait until next year's event!

 

Rockford College and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence held a Business Plan Competition for non-profits looking to begin earned income ventures.  This 8-month competition ended today with the announcement that the HCC Hand-n-Hand Child Care Center was the runner-up.  HCC was awarded $4000 and received invaluable advice from the committee.

 

Floor hockey features all the benefits of ice hockey without all the cost and time consuming restraints.  Each child will play approximately 15-20 games with a one week skills camp leading up to the season and finishing with an All Star Game.  No equipment is needed.  Children play in tennis shoes.,  HCC will supply sticks, helmets, and shin guards.  This is a co-ed league for 9-11 year olds (junior division) and 12-14 year olds (senior division).  The cost is $65 for ten weeks and includes the jersey and awards.  For more information contact Joe Leach at 815-871-9893. 

The Hand-n-Hand Child Care Center officially opened on October 22nd.  This 150 child facility is for youth ages 6 weeks through preschool.  Children are cared for in a warm and nurturing environment while also receiving enhanced preschool and recreational opportunities.  Call 885-4214 for more information. 

HCC is participating in the Logli's Community Card program.  This is a great way to earn "free" money for the Center.  HCC can earn up to $21 every month from every family who participates!  If you shop at Logli's and would like more information, contact HCC at 633-5817. 

Harlem Community Center presented the Loves Park Rotary the first business sponsor plaque for 2007.  Loves Park Rotary is a Neighborhood Sponsor of HCC which means they contributed a minimum of $5,000 to the Center.  Thank you to all Rotarians for their support!

 

A new web site for HCC has launched!  Its primary purpose is to provide information concerning HCC, its programs & activities, and events that affect HCC.  The volunteer web master is Troy Scheffel, an application developer for Woodmark Technologies (an IT consulting firm) in Barrington, IL. 

Your feedback is solicited and is necessary for the site to grow and provide tangible value.  Please send Troy any comments/compliments/complaints you have.