Central Illinois Parrot Head Club – July 2017:
In July 2007 my hubby Bill and I attended our very first Jimmy Buffett concert at Alpine Valley. Needless to say, we were hooked! I Googled and found the Central Illinois Parrot Head Club, we signed up and attended our first Happy Hour in August 2007.
At the time we joined, I was chairing a local U of I Alumni board, as well as being active in career and church organizations. I’ve often joked that when I joined a Parrot Head club I thought the only thing I’d ever be asked to lead was a conga line! Little did I know…… Within just a few months I was asked to take on the role of Charity Director, which I held for 8 years. I became Vice President in January 2011 and have been honored to lead this club as President since January 2015.
Enough about me – let’s talk about this amazing club! We’ve hit a couple of big milestones this year. We now have over 50 active dues-paying members as of February – the first time we’ve been over 50 since 2005. And I’m thrilled to report that we broke the five-figure mark for fundraising at our 6th annual Leather and Leis River Run and Party on July 8th. We will be able to donate $10,000 to Illinois CancerCare Foundation as a result of this event!
All of this is due to the hard work and enthusiasm of all of you! I can’t thank you enough for all the times you show up ready and willing to party with a purpose. I hope everyone will come out to our August 1st Happy Hour (6 pm, Kuchie’s on the Water) for the ceremonial presentation to Illinois CancerCare Foundation.
And I would be remiss not to thank the other board members and the volunteers who keep this club going:
Vice President – Steve Gray (Da Veep)
Treasurer – Joe Pollentier
Members-At-Large – Bob Hotkevich and Bill Blocker
Charity Director – Laurel Pollentier
Webmaster – Aaron Zuercher
Social Director – Sheila Watson
Enjoy the rest of your summer – see you August 1st!
Susan (Sue) Blocker
President, Central Illinois PHC