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player ready...Greetings, fellow Oak Lawnians! The Oak Lawn Raiders Social and Athletic Club is hosting its annual Winter Picnic from 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Homestead Barr, 9306 Central Ave., in Oak Lawn.
The group has been hosting the event for more than 35 years. Mike Neu is a 16-year member of the Raiders and the chairman for the Winter Picnic. This is his 10th year organizing and running the picnic along with other members.
Neu said this year’s picnic is in honor of Tommy Kerns, a longtime club member who died in May.
The Winter Picnic is the Raiders’ biggest fundraiser, usually drawing about 240 people.
The Raiders have been in existence for more than 40 years and has 55 members from Oak Lawn and nearby communities. Its main purpose is to raise money for charities and people in need in Oak Lawn and surrounding towns.
The proceeds raised primarily go toward the Ralph W. Arnold Scholarship that’s administered by the Oak Lawn Spartan Educational Foundation. Arnold was a long standing member who died in 2010.
“We probably raised over $10,000 at last year’s picnic, and we try to at least match what we did the year before,” Neu said.
Remaining funds go toward charitable requests presented to the Raiders during the year. In 2014, the Raiders raised more than $30,000 and contributed to Make-A-Wish, Park Lawn, the Breast Cancer Foundation, Hope Children’s Hospital, local food pantries and others in need.
The Winter Picnic originally took place at a forest preserve, but it was relocated to the Homestead Barr several years ago and everyone seems to be pleased with the new location. This is one picnic where bad weather is welcome.
“Bad weather is good for us. It brings more people out. Last year, we had sun, snow, thunderstorms and lighting and we had a huge turnout,” Neu said.
He said all the food is cooked by the Raiders, and “we actually start cooking the day before.” The menu offers something for everyone — ribs, chili, Italian sausage, deep fried turkey, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob in husks and lots more. Raffles will also be offered.
“The picnic is geared toward adults, but we have stuff for kids, too,” Neu said.
Winter Picnic tickets are $20 per person, $30 per couple and $40 for a family and can be purchased the day of the event at the Homestead Barr. For more information, call Neu at 708-205-4887 or visit the Raiders’ website at http://www.raiderssac.com.
Here are this week’s celebrity birthdays: Happy 7th birthday to Jack Makuch, with love, from his parents, brother, Luke and sister, Ellie. Happy 10th birthday to Makayla Henry from her parents Mike and Jen, brothers Will and Ryan, Grandma Pat, Aunt Donna and Fenway. Happy birthday to Ronnie Guagenti and Julie Smith, who are both turning 11, from their grandparents, Sandy and Dave Wills. Happy 11th birthday to Kevin and Mickey Haggerty from their parents, Tim and Maureen.
Theresa and Wally Antonowicz wish their grandson, Anton Tomacic, a happy 12th birthday. Happy 17th birthday to Nicholas Maslanka from his parents, and Rosemary and Michelle. Happy birthday to Kyle Frega, who’s turning 22, from his parents and Kody and Patrick. Happy 23rd birthday to Andrea DeMoss, from her family. Happy birthday to Christina Pender, who’s turning 23, from her parents, Tina and Tim, and Rachel. Nina Thorell’s family wish her a happy 25th birthday.
Happy 30th birthday to Kristen Brooks from her family, Adam and Meaner. Happy birthday to Holly Bubel, who’s turning 31, from her parents, Nancy and Roy, and Kelly, Brian and Grandma Bubel. Happy 36th birthday to Maurine Cody from her mom, Patty. Birthday wishes go out to Amanda Olszewski from Chris Gornik, Lola and their family. Happy birthday to Kelli Kelly from her family. Bertha Tapia-Herrera’s family wish her a happy birthday.
Yolanda Sawicki’s family wish her a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Bill Prusinski and to Jeff Blackburn from Mary. Happy birthday to Jim Bruen from his children, Kelcey, Sean and Patrick. Birthday wishes go out to Jerry Hurckes. Happy 68th birthday to Les Sawicki from his family. Happy 71st birthday to Hank Castillo from his wife, Lori. A happy 72nd birthday to William Braun from his wife, Carol, and Dan, Tim and Julie.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to the following couples: Bob and Kathy Cook; John and Betty Kastros; Michael and Beth Durkin’s on their 11th anniversary; Ian and Cori Ellis’ 27th anniversary and Jim and Charlotte Dillon’s 37th.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff”going on with your family or within the community. Call me at (708) 899-9544 or e-mail me at the address above.
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Until next time …