A charitable kickoff...

It seems as though when residents go by Village Hall -- they're seeing red.  Village Board meetings will do that to you.

Wednesday night was different.

It was a sea of pink. Not that the Board is a kindlier, gentler group -- but a charitable group.

Wednesday was 'Pink Heals" night in the village and parked along Lake-Cook Road were the bright -- very bright -- pink fire trucks.

Coordinated by Buffalo Grove fire fighter Steve Rusin, several hundred residents -- many decked out in pink, watched the annual softball game that included teams made up of village business leaders and village staff. 

Despite the fine play on sandlot, the stars were the pink fire trucks that grabbed the attention of young and old alike.  Granted it's a cliche, but that's what happens when you mix softball and fire trucks -- and fund raising for a good cause.  Among the village officials in attendance were Village President Elliott Hartstein, trustee Jeff Braiman, Beverly Sussman, DeAnn Glover, and despite being on the disabled list, Steve Trilling.  Village Clerk Jan Sirabian was also there.  Jeff Berman was attending the open house at Stevenson High School where his daughter is a student.

Buffalo Grove Fire fighter Steve Rusin (far right) with some residents and fellow Pink Heals supporters

 Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of the event wasn't the game, or who was there, but the fact that fire fighters from around the country volunteer their time to call attention to cancer.  Locally, it's a tribute to the dedication of Rusin and many of his colleagues who not only coordinated the event, but spearheaded the fund raising effort.

Members of the Pink Heals team and the traditional fire dog, which was allowed on public property.

Needless to say, it was  great way to kickoff Buffalo Grove Days.

Village Board Members Beverly Sussman (seated left) and Deann Glover.  Trustee Jeff Braiman  (left) is standing

By the way, the thud you may have heard around 7:15 p.m. was not an earthquake -- It was Harry Caray rolling over in his grave during the 7th inning of the softball game when Hartstein sang "Take Me Out To The Ball Game."

Let's just say that if Hartstein sang the national anthem he's probably get a call from Homeland Security.  Off tune?  You'd almost think he was sto-- aww, hell, let's not even go there.

The Charity Continues...

Wednesday's "Pink Heals" was not the only fund raising event that is a part of Buffalo Grove Days -- The Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a food drive "Feed the Hungry..fill the Pantry.""  volunteers will have paper shopping bags available for residents to fill with a variety of items  -- including Peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit, toilet paper, jell and jam, salmon, canned vegetables, shampoo, soup, chicken, coffee, soap, chili, canned meals, tea, toothpaste and kitchen and laundry detergents.  Please note all food items should be in cans.  The chamber is asking residents not to use glass.

Volunteers will be pushing shopping carts along the parade route to collect donations.

Can't make the parade?  you can bring donations to the Chamber's office at  501/2 Raupp Boulevard...can't make that either?  Call the the Chamber's office at (847) 541-7799 and they'll pick up your donation.

Nice village, isn't it?