We Care... We Act... We Serve...
As a charitable organization, the Aurora Actionaires strive to show compassion and love. We are motivated by empathy and the understanding of life's daily challenges. Acts of benevolence are shown by making calls, visiting, sending correspondences, and donating to causes which align with our motto:
We Care... We Act... We Serve...
OUR HISTORY
On New Years Eve, 1974, three friends: Donna Williams, Martha Hickling, and Caroline Johnson were having lunch at Hoi Peng Restaurant in Aurora, IL, when they decided to organize a social club. They came up with 30 names of women they knew to contact, and 18 of those 30 were interested. The first meeting was scheduled on a Friday night in 1975 at Belles Terrace Clubhouse, and the Aurora Actionaires became a reality. Those 18 young women were full of hope and energy to do lots of fun things. However, as the club progressed, the young women reached out to challenge their motto: We Care.. We Act.. We Serve.. and the emphasis of the 'social club' was placed on service.
In 2015 the Aurora Actionaires established a 501(c)(3) foundation. This accomplishment permits individuals and businesses to make tax deductible contributions directly to the Aurora Actionaires Foundation, Inc. to support our mission. As a result, we look forward to greater service to the community.
OUR SERVICE
Since it's beginning in 1975, service has been a part of the Aurora Actionaires' motto. The club has put the motto into action by giving of ourselves, contributing to the welfare of others, and as a result, improving the community. Our services have included all ages from elementary students to seniors. For more than forty years, the Aurora Actionaires has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school seniors and assisted college students in need. We have sponsored workshops for parents and students on how to complete scholarship applications and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, since education is a cornerstone initiative, we have provided tuition for a targeted number of eighth-grade graduates who have been accepted to attend the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) Summer Enrichment for Academics in Mathematics (SEAMS) Program.
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
College Readiness and Free Funding for College Workshops
Our First Little Library
at Falkos Park
(FVPD & AHA)
March 19, 2022
1,000 Masks to AHA Residents - March of 2020
IMSA - Summer SEAMS
ROOTED in the COMMUNITY with FOX VALLEY PARK DISTRICT
Eastwood RIF Distribution with the help of RIF and Gobble Doggs
Dr. MLK Park Little Library 09/10/22
Coach Wilbert Walter's Park Little Library
Juneteenth Weekend - 06/18/22
with book partner The Aurora Divine 9 Alliance
More Little Library Book Partners
OUR LITTLE LIBRARY PROJECTS in partnership with
The Fox Valley Park District
Stuffing backpacks for and serving food at our dearly departed
Scheketa Hart Burns' Back to School Bash
OTM Back2School Event
Presenting at The Aurora Housing Authority
Summer Training Employment Program
The City of Aurora Honors The Aurora Actionaires with The Donna J. Williams Service Award
at the 2024 MLK Celebration
Several years ago, the City of Aurora named this service award
in honor of one of our founders, Donna J. Williams
The Actionaires with Congressman Foster prior to MLK Celebration
Mayor Richard C. Irvin Presenting the Aurora Actionaires
Congressman Bill Foster with the Aurora Actionaires prior to the MLK Celebration
Members with Guest Speaker Tyler Lepley
THE FOX VALLEY PARK DISTRICT NAMES THE AURORA ACTIONAIRES "LOCAL LEGENDS" DUE TO THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY and POSTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION VIDEO DOCUMENTING THE HISTORY AND WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION. (GROUP PICTURE BELOW AT THE FVPD COLE CENTER AFTER THE TAPING.)