On March 16 the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc. will celebrate their Emerald Anniversary for 55 Years of Service to the North Shore community. This year’s honorees are Lun Ye “Lonnie” Crim Barefield, counselor, and Dr. Eric Witherspoon, Superintendent of School District 202, for their leadership and commitment to the North Shore community.
The Chessmen Club of the North Shore Inc., a not-for-profit organization, was conceived in 1958 by two Evanston police officers, Andy Rodez and Billy Logan, as they patrolled the neighborhoods and shared similar reactions to some of the needs of the youth and the elderly in the community. They pursued close friends and other African American men involved in the community and interested in helping the neighborhoods.
The Club’s mission has remained the same over the past 54 years: service to the youth and elderly of the North Shore community. The club returns to the community 99 percent of the funds it raises, awarding over 200 scholarships for youth, providing more than 3,000 Christmas food baskets and supporting other community youth activities.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling James Davis at 847-224-5491 or visiting www.chessmanclub.com.