KCC-StCharlesNewsletter_June2024

Proudly serving the City of St. Charles, St. Charles Township, Village of Campton Hills and surrounding communities.

The St. Charles Area Chamber will host its 49th Annual Golf Classic on Friday, August 16 at Prairie Landing Golf Club, a premier public golf facility, in West Chicago.

DEBORAH GURLEY Executive Director St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

“We look forward to presenting our popular golf outing this year and are so excited to have it held on a Friday this year,” said Debbie Gurley, executive director, St. Charles Area Chamber. “Planning

this event has been fun and the staff at Prairie Landing has been very accommodating. It is going to be a great event!”

“With this year’s Friday date, it’s a great opportunity to close up your week and enjoy starting the weekend a day early with the Chamber’s annual golf outing. No divots here, just a nice pivot to bring clients and vendors for a day of fun and meet other chamber members, too.”

Cost for the outing is $200 per individual golfer or $750 for a foursome, which includes practice range, continental breakfast, 18 holes with golf cart, and a box lunch. Following a day of golf, participants will enjoy a casual reception on the patio to enjoy delicious heavy appetizers and a cashbar-cocktail hour.

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St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

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golf outing also offers a variety of fun and

Area businesses are encouraged to chip-in as a sponsor of the golf outing. “Sponsorships are available for every hole, which gives your business major visibility to over 100 golfers enjoying a fun round of golf,” adds Gurley. “We’re happy to have already sold “6” hole sponsors.”

Once again, an important part of the golf outing will be the fundraising efforts of the Chamber’s Industrial Committee, which recently gave out 3 scholarships to 2 St. Charles North students and 1 Compass Academy student.

Members of the committee will be stationed on the putting green to gladly accept donations which fund scholarships for students

at Compass Academy and St. Charles Community Unit School District 303. “The scholarships are awarded in the name of the late Peter Schwartz, who served as chair of the Industrial Committee and unexpectedly passed several years ago,” said Gurley. “It’s a win for everyone and a special lasting tribute to remember Peter.”

Getting ready for the golf outing and planning the day has been rewarding in between all of the amazing events the Chamber holds throughout the year. Gurley says it couldn’t be possible without the Chamber’s amazing staff. Joining Gurley at the golf outing are Nikki Nelson, office administrator, and Connor Massey, marketing and event specialist.

The Chamber staff is ready to provide you with more information about the golf outing, registration, and sponsorships. Call the chamber office today at 630-584-8384.

GET READY FOR THIRD ANNUAL SUMMERFEST!

The third annual Summerfest returns 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 28, at Pottawattomie Park in St. Charles. The family-friendly event is hosted by the Young Professionals Council in collaboration with the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Summerfest is a budget-friendly way for people of all ages to spend an evening. The festival is free to attend and features local business booths, local brews, food trucks, live music, vendors and activities such as face painting and balloon artists.

A new event has been added to the lineup of 2024 activities. This year includes a bags tournament, in which up to 20 two-person teams can compete in games of cornhole for a chance to win a prize and bragging rights as the reigning bags champion.

Registration for the bags tournament is $20 per team on a first come, first served basis. One member of each team must be a Chamber member to participate. Teams must register by Friday, June 21.

For more information, contact Nikki Nelson at info@stcareachamber.com.

St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JOSHUA

DEBBIE GURLEY Executive Director

NELSON

DEBORAH GIAMPAPA Boutique Baby

SHERI DESHAZO

BRIAN MCNALLY McNally’s Heating & Cooling

ADAM HOGAN First Mid Bank &

CONNOR MASSEY Marketing & Event Specialist

RACHEL SCHUCK Edward Jones TOYA WEBB Waubonsee Community College

CHARLES MURPHY Midwest Compost, LLC

Congratulations to our Businesses of the Month!

WASCO NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER

n Established in 1925

n Member of the Chamber for 29 years

A homegrown staple of the community since 1925, Wasco Nursery & Garden Center has brought life and color into so many of our gardens and homes throughout the years with their beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers, and so much more. We appreciate their dedication to quality and service and are so happy they put down roots right here in our community nearly a century ago! Congratulations and thank you for being a valued member of our Chamber for so many years!

ST. CHARLES CUSD 303

n Member of the Chamber for 93 years School is cool, and there’s no one cooler than our Business of the Month for Maythe incredible team at St Charles District 303! In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week next week, and the end of the school year

later this month, we couldn’t think of a better group to recognize than everyone (and we mean EVERYONE) who keeps District 303 going! No matter what your role is or which location you’re at, we appreciate all you do for the students and the positive impact you have on the community!

Enjoy group play, group games, sta interaction, and special events.

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Big or Small we groom them all. Custom or breed specific haircuts.

Proven and Positive Training Puzzles, Artwork, Agility, Treadmill and much more!

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Or sign up for activity-based daycare with puzzles, artwork, agility, treadmill, pack walks, and more!

Or enjoy the spa with premium and basic baths, desheds, nails and more! Grooming or Spa

Group Daycare and Free Puppy Socializations Luxury Vacation Pack-Ademics Daycare Activity-Based Learning

Training & Puppy Socials

Pools, games, play and a ection.

Using balanced leadership and a ection to meet specific needs and goals gives positive results and relationships. Free Puppy Socialization on Saturdays. Call to join us!

Building bonds and relationships. Call for a FREE training evaluation!

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

n 212° Construction Group

n Becky’s Bouquet

n Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council

n Boys & Girls Club

n Edward Jones, Juan Gaytan

n Floor Coverings International – Geneva

n JLT Photography

n Kayla’s Hope Foundation

n Mr. Marco’s Jewelers

n Olive Garden

n Relief Allergy & Sinus Institute

n Rushton Atlantic, LLC

n Sales Surge Solutions

n Strikers Fox Valley Soccer Club

n Studio Genesis LLC

n Teafoe Roofing and Exteriors, LLC

n The Funding Project

n Wasco Fast Pitch Softball

n WellNow Urgent Care

n Whiskey Acres

Outdoor Dining Near

St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

UNDER THE BIG TOP

2024 CHARLEMAGNE GALA CELEBRATION

PHOTOS BY SANDY BRESSNER

The 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner in the 102nd year of the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce took place Friday, May 17, at The Q Center in St. Charles. This annual event is a time to celebrate business leaders and the many accomplishments that occurred in 2023 as well as some of the milestones chamber members have had over the past year. During the event, we had the privilege of bestowing the Charlemagne Award to a member of our community for their lifetime commitment to the St. Charles community and their contribution to bringing the vision of Charlemagne to life, while weaving it into the very fabric of our community and its culture. With around 300 registered attendees at this year’s Charlemagne event, it is the largest civic gathering of its kind in the community. The evening’s awards and recognition included milestone anniversaries of members in the chamber, as well as the special honors listed on page 9.

Mark Koenen, 2024 Charlemagne Award winner, greets his brother, Larry Koenen, during the 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner hosted by the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce at the Q Center in St. Charles on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Deborah Gurley, executive director of the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce, addresses the audience during the 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner at the Q Center in St. Charles on Friday, May 17, 2024.

CHARLEMAGNE

St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

AWARD

WINNERS

CHARLEMAGNE AWARD

n MARK KOENEN

L.E.A.P. AWARD

n BECKY GILLAM

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

n ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD

n BAKER MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH

n KIDDIE ACADEMY

n REALTOR ASSOCIATION OF THE FOX VALLEY (RAFV)

n THE PRIDE OF KANE COUNTY

n THE SPRINGS AT ST. CHARLES

n TIGER DRYLAC USA

COMMUNITY IMAGE

n DEAR DONUTS

n FLOWER OF LIFE YOGA & WELLNESS STUDIO

n FULLY PROMOTED ST. CHARLES

n ROSIE’S COLOR STUDIO

CIVIC IMAGE AWARD

n CITY OF ST. CHARLES – 1ST STREET PLAZA

n CLARKE MOSQUITO

CONTROL & DR. J. LYELL CLARKE III – 1ST STREET PLAZA

n ST. CHARLES PARK DISTRICT – KEHOE ‘ROCKET’ PARK

Becky Gillam (left) accepts the 2024 L.E.A.P. Award from St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Deborah Gurley during the 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner.

Aubrey Marvel (far left) watches as Rick Marvel plays carnival games lead by Lori Lain (far right) during the 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner hosted by the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce at the Q Center in St. Charles on Friday, May 17, 2024. This year’s event followed the theme “Under the Big Top.”

St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

ST. CHARLES POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS

COMICBOOKS FOR KIDS!

The St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new podcast and video series, “Up Close & Member-able.” Each month, we sit down with one of our members to learn more about what they do and who they are.Recently featured businesses and organizations include:

• April: First responders (St. Charles Police Department and St. Charles Fire Department)

• May: ComicBooks for Kids!

• June: Kendall’s Kindness

First responders in St. Charles focus on keeping the community safe. The St. Charles Fire Department handles multiple calls such as fires, rescues, hazardous materials response, construction accidents and vehicle crashes. About 68% of fire department calls are emergency medical calls. Fire personnel’s building inspections also keep business assets, owners and customers safe by ensuring alarms and sprinkler systems are functioning correctly.

St. Charles Police Department responds primarily to community service calls such as accidents, a mental health crisis or being locked out of a home or vehicle. Only about 20% of calls are crime-related. The police department offers a variety of public service programs – residents can safely dispose of pharmaceuticals and sharps in a dropoff at the police station. Narcan, which neutralizes the effects of opioid overdose, is available at the police station. Residents can pick up as many as they need free of charge, no questions asked in the police station lobby. St. Charles police also partner with Associates in Development (AID), a social worker program to assist residents dealing with mental health issues, susbtance abuse or who are victims of a crime.

ComicBooks for Kids! is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides child-friendly comic books, pop culture toys, books and T-shirts to children and teens in hospitals and cancer centers across the United States, with future outreach planned in the United Kingdom. The nonprofit also operates ComicBooks for Troops, which supplies comic materials to military service members stationed overseas. ComicBooks For Kids! takes zero compensation for their work. They collaborate with retailers, distributors, publishers and consumers to procure inventory and income.

KENDALL’S KINDNESS

Kendall’s Kindness focuses on spreading positivity through random acts of kindness on the 12th day of each month. The organization is named in honor of Kendall Maffia, and the monthly date honors her birthday of June 12. Kendall – who is remembered as a thoughtful, creative, generous and kind person – died by suicide in October 2021. Kendall’s Kindness urges people to commit acts of kindness in person and to behave kindly in online interactions. The podcast episode will air in June in recognition of her birthday and the organization’s memorial 5K birthday walk held in South Elgin.

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THANK YOU Annual Sponsors

CHAMPION PARTNER

DIAMOND SPONSORS

RUBY SPONSORS

SAPPHIRE SPONSORS

EMERALD SPONSORS of Geneva & Elgin

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