Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR Completes 2024

DAR member Rita Duffy (center) presents a donation check to employees of the non-profit, BraveHearts, on behalf of Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR. BraveHearts is a 501 c3 organization whose mission is to bring hope, joy, and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse. Shown with Rita are BraveHearts employees Bill Mercurio, Veteran Relations Coordinator and U.S. Army Veteran, “Tugg,” and Amanda Bethards, Volunteer Coordinator and U.S. Navy Veteran. For more information about BraveHearts, visit braveheartsriding.org. 

 Chapter member Ruth Groth (left) presents a donation check to Maria Cumpata, Parks & Recreation Director, City of Elgin. The Foundation is a charitable organization that provides funding for at-risk youth in Elgin, Illinois, and gives them the opportunity to participate in recreation programs. Their motto – “Cost should never keep kids from playing.” For more information, visit elginparksfoundation.org. 

Chapter Librarian Judith Heinrich presents a donation check to Jason Pinshower, Executive Director of the Barrington Area Library which serves Barrington, Illinois, and surrounding communities. The donation will be used to support collections, programs, technology and other initiatives. For more information, visit balibrary.org.

Chapter Regent Joyce Wright (left) presents a donation check to Cynara Pierzina, Executive Director, Encore Music Academy of Crystal Lake, Illinois. The donation will help with Student Financial Aid. Encore’s mission is to cultivate the innate musical abilities within each individual. For more information, visit encoremusicacademy.org.

Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR members, including Regent Joyce Wright, Judith Heinrich, and Kathy Casey, delivered holiday cheer to the Lake Zurich Police Department on Monday, December 16, 2024. They organized and delivered three baskets filled with fruit, snacks, and Starbucks gift cards for the Department. 

Kathy Casey introduced Regent Joyce Wright and provided background information regarding Signal Hill Chapter and NSDAR. Regent Wright presented Police Chief Steve Husak with a Certificate of Thanks and graciously thanked all members of the Department for their sacrifice and service to the community. Several officers were available to meet the members. 

Chapter member Ruth Groth (center) presents a donation check to Susan Taylor Demming, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and ECC Foundation, in support of Student Scholarships. Looking on is Joel N. Yumba, Manager of Annual Giving. The Foundation offers financial support to help more students complete their educational goals, particularly those focused on careers that meet critical workforce needs, including specialists in health care, truck driving, automotive repair, welding, and more. For more information, visit elgin.edu/foundation.

Chapter member Julie Golden presents a donation check to Brian Long, owner of Long & Co. Jewelers in Barrington, Illinois, who leads the Catlow 1927 Foundation. Shown with them are Kyle (far left), an employee of Long & Co. and Catlow 1927 (last name not provided), and Julie’s daughter, Paige Golden, also a Signal Hill Chapter member. 

The Catlow 1927 Foundation is dedicated to restoring The Catlow Theatre of Barrington to its former glory, transforming it into a beacon for the northwest suburbs. The Foundation’s vision includes the restoration of the theatre’s iconic marquee and historic architecture, aiming to make it a vibrant cultural hub for the Barrington community and beyond. For more information, visit catlow1927.org. 

Chapter member Jackie Marcus (left) presents a $1000 donation check to Beth Nawara, Curator at the Elgin History Museum. The Elgin History Museum will use this for repairs to the Elgin National Watch Company clock that was at the 1933-1934 Chicago “Century of Progress” World’s Fair. While at the Worlds Fair. This clock controlled all the other official clocks in the exhibit pavilion and turning on the outdoor lighting each night. The clock is currently being repaired and should return to the Museum in early 2025. When it is returned, it will be exhibited in the Museum’s second floor meeting room. The Museum will put a label next to the clock crediting the Signal Hill Daughters of the American Revolution with contributing funds for the repair of the clock. 

Chapter member Deb Edlund (center) presents a donation check to Erika Stergos, Executive Director of the Preservation Foundation. Also present is Diana Dretske, Curator (left). 

The Dunn Museum's collections, which comprise nearly 20,000 artifacts and 1,000 linear feet of archival materials, are securely housed in a modern environmentally controlled care and storage facility. Irreplaceable collections held in public trust are protected with precise temperature and humidity control, as well as security and fire suppression capabilities, preserving Lake County's cultural heritage for future generations to discover and enjoy.

The donation will be applied toward the restoration and preservation of the Half Day School Register (1895-1871) and the Waukegan City Directory (1897-98). For more information, visit lcfpd.org/museum/.