The Fox Valley United Way will celebrate ‘A Community That Cares’ at its annual breakfast Thursday, drawing a sell-out crowd and local dignitaries to honor those who have impacted lives of Aurora-area people in need.

The “Celebrating A Community That Cares” will take place at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Pipers Banquets, 1295 Butterfield Road, Aurora.

The Fox Valley United Way’s annual recognition breakfast gathers donors, volunteers and advocates together with the social service agencies and clients that have benefited from their generosity. Compelling testimonials of changed lives are a highlight of the event each year.

Fundraisers, volunteers and advocates don’t always get a chance to connect with the people who benefit from their generosity, so for the last several years, Fox Valley United Way has gathered organizations that contribute time and resources with the agencies and individuals that they have blessed with their generosity. The event has grown in popularity, as attendees are drawn to the captivating stories shared by those who were given a second chance because donors and volunteers chose to lend a helping hand.

Community Action awards will be presented to the city of Aurora, Engineering Enterprises, Exelon/ComEd, The Fox Valley Building and Trades Council, Wrigley Corporation, Jewel-Osco, Old Second National Bank and Prisco’s Family Market.  Contributor awards will be given to Caterpillar, Inc., Castle Bank, Presence Mercy Medical Center, Bank of America and Nicor Gas, with several other organizations earning recognition for corporate and employee contributions.

Special “Live United” and “Volunteer of the Year” awards will also be bestowed.

Among those in attendance will be Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, Kane County Board Chair Chris Lauzen and many elected officials from the Fox Valley, representatives of the organizations receiving awards, representatives of the social service agencies supported by donations, clients sharing testimonials, members of the board of directors and staff of Fox Valley United Way (including CEO Michael Meyer).

The National Anthem to be performed by Singsation, the East Aurora High School Honors Ensemble. Music will be provided by the Exelon/ComEd United Way Band.

Fox  Valley United Way serves the communities of Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.

In addition, on that same day, United Way of America is partnering with NBC, Comic Relief and other nonprofit partners to promote Red Nose Day USA. Red Nose Day is a national fundraising event to support programs that address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty in the U.S. and internationally. United Way of America is one of the pre-selected, poverty-fighting charity partners.  A short presentation at the breakfast will discuss how Red Nose Day can benefit Aurora-area children.

SOURCE: Fox Valley United Way press release