The Chamber had a very successful 2017. We added 21 new members.
Leyden Township has joined the Chamber. Due to the generosity of our members we have been able to continue to support our local communities. Our members hosted 11 Business After Hours (BAH) events. We had a very successful and fun Christmas party which resulted in a donation of food and over $1,000 to Leyden Family Services. Our Christmas Tour was enjoyed by all. Due to the generosity of the business community we were again able to donate to the park/recreation districts of Franklin Park, Schiller Park and River Grove. We co-sponsored Leyden District 212’s Career Fair/Business Expo. We were also able to sponsor programs at Rhodes School and the Franklin Park Viper baseball and softball league. The Chamber was a sponsor for Leyden Township’s Trek to the R.E.C. We hosted a lunch for Shriners Hospital and awarded three $1,500 scholarships again. One scholarship was specific to a manufacturing related program at Triton College. Our annual Golf Outing cosponsored by the Bensenville Chamber is our main fundraiser for our scholarship program. We had a very successful outing last year.
All this would not be possible without the support of the Villages of Franklin Park, Schiller Park and River Grove. I also want to thank our excellent and hardworking volunteer board of directors that put together over 20 events each year. The board is composed of local business people, non-elected government administrators, private citizens and educators. We are privileged to have representatives from Sloan Valve, Digital Realty, Pan America Bank, Roy Strom Refuse, Huntington Bank, American Family Insurance, Rickert Realtors, Leyden Township, the park districts of Franklin Park & Bensenville, JS Printing, KCS Computer, Coldwell Banker, Triton College, all three villages we serve, Leyden Credit Union and Leyden District 212 as board members.
The 2018-2019 Community Guide is provided by the Chamber by O’Hare and is distributed to all residents of the three villages, village halls, libraries and community centers and it is included in the welcome packet given to all new businesses. We encourage you to please patronize the advertisers and Chamber members who support the activities of the Chamber and the publication of the Community Guide. Local shopping helps your community. We wish to thank the Villages of Franklin Park, Schiller Park, River Grove, Leyden Township, Daily Herald and Town Square Publications for their help in making this guide possible. Leyden District 212 High School students furnished the cover again this year.
The Chamber works closely with neighboring Chambers, school districts, village governments, charity and community organizations. This year we will again be presenting Breakfast with Your Mayors, Meet Your Representatives and the Business Expo/Career Fair in conjunction with Leyden District 212.
In order to help our business, educational, government and residential communities we need to recruit and retain local businesses. If you are a member I hope you not only stay but take advantage of our many events, most of which are free. If you are not a member please consider joining. You will find an application in the Community Guide or on-line at chamberbyohare.org Your business will benefit through networking, referrals and our website. Advertising is now available on our web page. Members can attend as many or as few events as you wish. Business guests are welcome but you must register for the event.
The Chamber headquarters is at KCS Computer Technology, 9524 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131, next to the Franklin Park Community Center. There you will find information on the goods and services offered by our members along with information on community events. We are open on weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Current Chamber members please feel free to drop off some literature and business cards on your company.
Please support our communities by shopping, playing and entertaining locally. All of the Villages have excellent Park Districts and facilities, – fun pools, parks and day trips. Prices are very reasonable. Don’t miss out on the host of first class events put on by the Villages – Historical House and Barn Tours, Franklin Park Fest, Car Shows and Street Dances to mention a few. If you have any suggestions on how to improve this guide or the Chamber please let us know.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Kollar
President
Chamber by O’Hare
Franklin Park/Schiller Park/River Grove