Last week our speakers were Assistant States Attorney Jason Grindel and Investigator James Magna from the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center. They are the designated handlers for Mitchell, a yellow Labrador Retriever selected for training as a service dog based upon his temperament, attitude, and interaction with people. Mitchell was donated to the State’s Attorney’s Office by Support Dogs, Inc, a national not-for-profit organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Mitchell went through an extensive series of trainings, including a formal program at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC). While at the SWICC program, inmates of the facility actually aid in the early training stages of these facility dogs. After the trainings concluded, Mitchell graduated from Support Dogs, Inc., and became a professionally certified and trained assistance dog. 

Mitchell is assigned to the Children’s Advocacy Center. The Center is a division of the State’s Attorney’s Office that assists with the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving the sexual and physical abuse of children. Mitchell provides comfort, compassion, and companionship to these children. When needed, Mitchell will accompany children as they talk with officials about their abuse. Mitchell will also be called upon to assist in the Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Courts program which includes Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Court.  What a great addition to the center Mitchell is, and thank you for coming to our meeting to talk to us.

                                              

 

At the Village Board meeting on February 22, our club member Ernie Karge was recognized for his long time service to the Village on the Police and Fire Commission and for all of his other service to the Village.  His wife Joan, an honorary member of our club, was also recognized for all she has done for the community.  Here are Ernie and Joan and members Steven Casstevens, Adriane Johnson, former member Brian Rubin, Martha Weiss, Shawn Collins, Deenie Pomilia and Brian Shepard who celebrated with the Karges.

 

 

 

Thursday, March 3 - Duck Committee meeting, 6 pm at the Bragg home
 

 

 

 

 

 

Our club members and their family members completed their service trip to Ak' Tenamit in Guatemala and in 4 days a 20x40 tech center was constructed from scratch, 10 work benches and 8 picnic tables were built, they interacted with over 200 students who had the opportunity to learn English and learn to build, and over 80 patients were seen by Dr. Collins and his beautiful wife, his assistant. In 2 days they hiked over 6 miles to deliver over 65 solar lights and over 15 water filters to villages without electricity or clean water. What an impact 22 amazing individuals made in Guatemala. Thank you all for your generous donations. 

 

 

 

                                                 

                 

 

Our exchange student, Fran, will be here in our community for 11 months and we asked her what she would like to do or see, because it seems that the exchange year goes very quickly.  Here is what she said

 

"Thank you for asking me about it, I know that maybe I won't do all of those things, but if I can do some them would be amazing"