Taste of the Towns Brings $1,700 to Parks

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce presented a $1,700 check to the Parks and Recreation Department at the October 4 Village Board meeting.

The donation was given in appreciation for the assistance it receives from the department for its many chamber events.

The check was from a portion of the profits made from the Taste of the Towns event held on August 29 at Paulus Park.

"We are very happy to be able to donate money to the parks department, because they help and support us," said Dale Perrin, executive director of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce. "If it weren't for them, our events wouldn't be the successes they are; it is a small way for us to say thank you."

In addition to donating to the Parks and Recreation department, The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce has other causes they support and sponsor. 

One is a scholarship program for students heading off to either a four-year university, community college or trade school.  The only additional requirement is that the student or a parent or legal guardian of the student has worked for a chamber member business in the last six months. For the 2009-2010 school year, the chamber presented two $1,500 scholarships.

The Chamber also sponsors the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) for students in middle school all the way to seniors in high school.  The academy is held once a week after school for the school year. Students are instructed on each and every aspect of starting a business, including forming a corporation to creating and presenting a business plan before a group of investors.  

The target date for next year's Taste of the Towns event is August 28, 2011. "We would love to have more food and beverage vendors for next year's event, because it makes it that much more fun for the public," said Perrin.

For more information, you can call the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce at 847-438-5572 or email them at info@lzacc.com.