Lake Shore, Illinois, Alumnae Club

The History of the Lake Shore, Illinois, Alumnae Club

The Lake Shore, Illinois, Alumnae Club was originally conceived as the junior group of the North Shore, Illinois, Club in 1949. Eventually the group transitioned to alumnae club status and they became a strong, small club. There is a core group of women who have been together for over thirty years, but they are always happy to welcome new members! Current members live anywhere from the city of Chicago to Lake Bluff in the northern suburbs.

One of the club’s favorite meetings is the club’s May Salad Supper. It is then that most of the planning for the next year happens and members enjoy a wonderful dinner together. This past May, the club hosted Daphney and Libbie from the Ring Ching Roadshow as well as Jenny Schmidt from Headquarters. It was a great evening, complete with a Pi Phi Trivia game and prizes. The event helped to spread enthusiasm for the club’s 150^th Anniversary. All the members of the Lake Shore Club want to wish the club’s cherished Pi Beta Phi a very Happy Anniversary! Ring Ching!

Philanthropic Service

The club has a long history with the local philanthropy organization, Mary Lou’s Place; it’s a shelter for women and children who have had to escape a domestic abuse situation. The club has supported them with necessities drives, holiday gifts and various cleaning and organizing projects. Every few years, some of the professionals who work at Mary Lou’s Place have come to speak at a meeting with the Northwestern University chapter, Illinois Epsilon. They speak on topics such as identifying abuse and how to find help. Through the years, many area collegians have volunteered at the shelter.

The club also hosts an annual literacy event with a local bookstore in the club’s area, The Book Bin. Before the holidays, the owner has a book review and sale for the club’s members and friends, and then donates a portion of the proceeds to the club’s literacy cause. The rest of the year is filled with craft projects, Founders’ Day celebrations, speakers, trips to the city, gourmet dinners and fundraisers as needed.