Clubs & Organizations

Interested in listing your Club or Organization in the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health brochure? The Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health brochure is mailed to all households in Park Forest. Contact Carolyn Hoff at 708-748-2005 or email choff@vopf.com to discuss advertising opportunities and rates.


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Friends of Thorn Creek Woods
Join Friends of Thorn Creek Woods and support the 985-acre Thorn Creek Nature Preserve and its Nature Center. Formed in 1969, Friends efforts ensured permanent protection for this unique open space enhancing Park Forest and the region. Friends volunteers build and repair trails, create exhibits, monitor species, staff the nature center, lead programs, and raise funds for programs and improvements.  Members enjoy a quarterly newsletter and sponsor Earth Day, plus Spring and Fall meetings. Annual family membership is $20 or $50 for an organization; life membership is $200. For more information: 708-747-6320; thorn_creek@att.net; http://tcwoods.org; P.O. Box 32, Richton Park, IL 60471. Note new P.O. Box. 


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Garden Club of Park Forest

The Garden Club of Park Forest has been instrumental in promoting gardening, conservation and other philanthropies for the community since 1954. We sponsor and maintain the BLUE STAR MARKER on the corner of Lakewood and Orchard. This in memory of all who have served our country.

Upcoming Events:  

September 10, 2019: On Tuesday, September 10, 2019, the Garden Club of Park Forest is hosting "A Walk in the Park" with Rob Gunther, Director of Recreation & Parks. We will meet at noon at the Discovery Center, 30 North Orchard Drive, next to the Aqua Center. Refreshments will be served. We will then tour the Wetlands, Central Park and the Blue Star Marker. After a short break, we will meet at Village Hall to view the new sculpture gardens. This is an open meeting and all are welcome to join us.

October 15, 2019: The Garden Club of Park Forest will have their annual "Falling Leaves Festival" on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 11 am. Located at the Church of St. Mary, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest. This event is open to contributing members and a $10 fee for guest participation. We will have light refreshments, door prizes, raffle baskets and a speaker.  Falling Leaves Flyer. 

November 12, 2019: The Garden Club of Park Forest is hosting an aromatherapy workshop beginning at noon located at the Church of St. Mary, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest. THIS IS A MEMBERS ONLY EVENT. If you would like to attend, please become a member to join us.

You may contact me at judithedunn@gmail.com  for further information.


blue star memorial highway markerThe Blue Star Marker has been refurbished and landscaped with special thanks
to Betty Doty, the Garden Club Board and the Village of Park Forest. The Blue Star Marker is located on the corner of Lakewood and Orchard Drive across from the Library.

Honoring Those Who have Served Our Country
The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way.

What we see today is a program that has expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used at locations such as National cemeteries, parks, veteran's facilities and gardens.

The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, and in churches and businesses. This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute to our Armed Forces and especially now.

Link:  National Garden Clubs Official Website


 


KiwanisLogoKiwanis Club
The Kiwanis club of Park Forest, celebrating the vitality of our community for 68 years, is dedicated to performing community service for young people, the aging, and the needy in local and international settings. The club sponsors Key clubs at Rich Township high schools and has repeatedly been recognized with Distinguished Club Awards. It will celebrate an amazing 67th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Day on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Rich East High School. Club dinner meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Carlo’s Restaurant in Chicago Heights. The club also has special service project meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Park Forest Village Hall. Call Elmer Washington at 708-816-8089 or email elchicwash@aol.com for additional information. 


 

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League of Women Voters of The Park Forest Area

The Park Forest Area of the League of Women Voters (LWV) welcomes all persons (female and male alike) who are interested in promoting responsible government at any level. Good government does not happen without active citizen participation. The LWV studies issues, gets to know public officials, observes public meetings, lobbies on issues, registers voters and provides many educational services including candidates’ forums. The LWV does NOT support parties or candidates, but deals only with issues. We continue to support and lobby for increased school funding.

Anyone interested in the LWV should write to Diane Hodges at P.O. Box 782, Park Forest, IL 60466. Visit our website at www.lwvpfa.org.


historicalsocietylogoPark Forest Historical Society
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road  (St. Mary’s) is open Wednesday and Saturday 1-3:30 p.m. Adults $5; 12 and under free. Park Forest Archive is open Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each can be open by appointment, by calling 708-481-4252, or 708-305-3308. Decorated for 1950s Halloween and Christmas/Hanukkah. Seeking volunteers for the museum and work in the archive. Archive work not Friday-only.

Five history programs each year are free and open to the public. Annual meeting, September 22, 2019, possibly in St. Mary’s Ryan Hall, followed by tour of the Museum. Program November 10, 2019, Village Hall.


 


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The Park Forest Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills. The Park Forest Toastmasters Club, chartered in 1955, has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Meetings are every 1st and 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. in the Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive, Park Forest, Illinois.