$45,000 RAISED FOR TSUNAMI AID

February 19th over 400 people came to support the cause. The Fundraiser at the lake Villa American Aid Society for German Descendants raised over $45,000 dollars for the fund.

Highlights of the event included a donation of $9,000 from the American Aid Society membership. Dorothy Larson Antioch Village Trustee and Candidate for Mayor paid $1,200 to have Lake Villa Mayor, Frank Loffredo, Fox Lake Mayor, Nancy Koske and Lake Villa Township Supervisor, Dan Venturi prepare a gourmet dinner for her and friends at her home. Ted Nielsen owner of Nielsen enterprises and David Stone, Candidate for Grant Township Assessor, each paid $1,500 for a Murder Mystery dinner at the Lehmann Mansion. Congresswoman Melissa Bean presented a resolution in recognition of the fundraiser that will be a part of the permanent Congressional Record.

The key supporters of the event included The American Aid Society that which in addition to making a large cash donation donated the facility and staff for the event, Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo, Lake Villa Township Supervisor, Daniel Venturi, who along with a long list of community leaders organized the fundraiser; Village Queens from the Villages of Fox Lake, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst worked their crowns to the bone for the cause; the Lakes Area Swing Band provided great entertainment for the crowd; local food vendors and restaurant owners who donated all of the great food to feed the guests, the donors of all the wonderful prizes that made the silent and live auctions a success; Jim Obenauf of Obenauf Auction services that dragged every last dollar out of the live auction items; and of course the community that stepped up and opened their hearts wallets, checkbooks and charge cards for the cause.

The combined total amount raised at the event and contributions paid directly to the fund at the Lake Villa Community Bank have exceeded $45,000

Tsunami Reconstruction Fund

Lake Villa Township is proud to annouce the Tsunami Reconstruction Fund.

Saturday February 19th, 2005 at 6:00 PM

The fund raising effort is a partnership of the area Villages, Townships and Community leaders. Partners include Lake Villa, Fox Lake, Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa Township, Antioch Township, Grant Township, State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis, State Representatives Jo Ann Osmond and State Representative Robert Churchill along with County Board Members Suzi Schmidt, Judy Martini, Bob Powers and Bonnie Thompson Carter.

We want to raise a substantial amount of money for the reconstruction of a specific area or building. We would like to be instrumental in the reconstruction of a community building like a school or hospital. We are working with several relief organizations like the United Way to find a project that will meet our goal.

Our kick off event will be on Saturday February 19th, 2005 at the American Aid Society with German Descendants at 259 W. Grand Ave, Lake Villa. At 6:00 pm will host a casual evening featuring the Lakes Area Community Swing Band, buffet and a Charitable Auction. There will be a live and silent auction. The live auction will feature unique items like a set of 14 skybox tickets to the Chicago Sox vs. Chicago Cub's at Sox Park or a chance for a group ride on a Fire Truck in the St. Partick's Day Parade or even a catered party at the Lehmann Mansion.

For tickets or information about the February 19th dinner auction or if you would like to help the cause, donate money or items for the auction, please call the
Lake Villa Township Office at 847-356-2116