Clubs & Organizations

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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; tcwoods.org; P.O. Box 32, Richton Park, IL 60471. 


Garden Club of Park Forest Founded 1954 Logo_Page_1

Garden Club of Park Forest
Since 1954 the Garden Club of Park Forest has been a contributing factor to the Village of Park Forest, promoting gardening, conservation, and other philanthropies. We donate to the Park Forest Library, the Thorn Creek Nature Preserve and, maintain the Blue Star Marker on the corner of Lakewood and Orchard and participate in various activities sponsored by the Village.

Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Church of St. Mary’s in Park Forest. Find us on Facebook at “The Garden Club of Park Forest”. Questions? Contact judithedunn@gmail.com or jatownsend333@comcast.net


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 69 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 69th Annual Pancake Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. 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, register 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 lwvpfa.org.get


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., “Park Forest 70th Anniversary” exhibit into summer; village history available. Adults $5; 12 & under free. Park Forest Archive, 227 Monee Road, is open Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., or by appointment, Jane Nicoll,
708-481-4252. Seeking volunteers for the museum or to work on the archive collection. Five local history programs each year are free and open to the public. Visit parkforesthistory.org for information, to donate, and for volunteer opportunities.



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The Park Forest Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters International is 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 Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. in the Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive, Park Forest, Illinois.