It’s days like Giving Tuesday that make me proud to be Elgin’s mayor.
During Illinois’ 2016 Giving Tuesday campaign known as #ILGive, Elgin was a state leader. Almost 2,000 generous givers donated nearly $450,000 to support 35 local agencies whose work enhances the quality of life in Elgin in so many ways. Our community is fortunate to benefit from this strong foundation of support ranging from help for families and individuals struggling with hunger, lack of affordable housing, addiction, mental illness, and domestic violence, to programs promoting literacy, education, youth leadership, and senior services, to support for music, drama and other cultural arts.
Seeing our community step up and donate their hard-earned dollars in this way demonstrates the value that we place on the extensive, diverse and deep network of nonprofit agencies available to us and to our fellow community members.
This year I’m thrilled to talk to you about “Elgin Gives.” Community members, businesses, city government and nonprofits have collaborated on this campaign to encourage all Elgin residents to “give where you live.” on Giving Tuesday. The Elgin Gives website has links to find information about the many local organizations you can support on Giving Tuesday.
From my perspective as mayor, I know that many of the services provided by our local nonprofits prevent calls to our police and fire departments and bring stability to the lives of the families they touch. The other side of this work is more long-term—building a strong foundation in the form of support for early learning and youth leadership development ensuring a bright future for Elgin. I value these programs and services because they play such an important role in making Elgin a great place to live, and creates an environment in which people can feel secure, grow and thrive.
I also know that we are a community that enjoys spending our spare time with neighbors and friends by participating in the many different social clubs and art forms that Elgin nonprofits have to offer. Whether it’s a community gathering, play, musical entertainment or fine arts, Elgin truly has it all.
Each of us has our own unique reasons that drive what, why, and how much we give. Whatever way you choose to give to Elgin, thank you. Your investment in our community is important and needed.
I urge you to continue following the #ILGive and Elgin Gives campaigns over these next few months to learn more about the vibrant and unique agencies that make up Elgin’s nonprofit sector. Let’s continue to make Elgin proud and give as much as we can to our local nonprofit organizations during this year’s Giving Tuesday with the goal of leading the state of Illinois.
About Mayor Kaptain
An Elgin native, David Kaptain grew up in the city’s southeast end. He attended local schools and received a degree in chemistry in 1970 from Bradley University. As mayor, he focuses on community outreach, as well as leading the community toward a more sustainable future.
He was employed for 33 years as a chemist and subsequently plant process manager by the Elgin Sanitary District (now Fox River Water Reclamation District). He married his wife, Sandy, in 1979. They lived in the Blackhawk Manor subdivision until 1986, when they moved across the river. Dave and Sandy are environmentalists and cyclists.
Dave was a founding member of the Eagle Heights Residents Association in 1990 and served as its president for ten years. He was a founding member of the Elgin Community Network in 2001, was its first chosen president and is currently the executive director. He served on the city’s Planning and Development Commission from 1999-2005, prior to his election to a two-year term on the City Council. He was re-elected in 2007, and elected mayor in 2011.