New Homer Glen Foundation Launches with First Fundraiser

Homer Glen residents love their Village for its quiet, rural-suburban blend, with high-rated schools and easy access to Chicago. With its abundant nature preserves and plentiful parks, it’s a family-friendly place to live. But improving their parks, trails, and open spaces, saving their historic farms, and honoring their veterans with inviting, moving memorials, all take money, often in excess of the Village’s budget.

The Homer Glen Community and Nature in Harmony Foundation, which was formed in 2025 to meet those needs, is officially launching with a fundraising dinner on Thursday, April 23, at Tazza Italian Ristorante on 14065 S. Bell Rd. The fee is $50 per person, and tickets can be purchased at the Foundation’s website, through the QR code on the flyer accompanying this article, and at the door. There will also be a cash bar and several inviting raffle baskets.

Susanne Steilen, Supervisor of Homer Township, serves as the President of the Foundation; Rose Reynders, Village Trustee, is the Vice President; Craig Carlson is Treasurer; and Fran Perveiler is Secretary. Steilen says that Board members plan to present some ideas for Foundation projects at the dinner, but will also solicit ideas for Village improvements.

Officially, the Foundation’s mission is to promote the establishment and acquisition of public parks, trails, and public paths; assist in the establishment and acquisition of public open spaces and public conservation areas; support necessary park improvements for public use; aid in the protection of our farmlands; foster the protection of the unique flora, fauna, and ecology within Homer Glen; and engage in other activities necessary or incidental to the continuing challenge of meeting the public's needs for parks, trails, open spaces, conservation areas, and farmland.

The Foundation plans to generate funds in various ways, including donations from private corporations, individuals, and businesses, and from grants, fundraising events, and partnerships with government agencies.

And the Foundation is pleased to announce that it will hold a 5K Run at Heritage Park on Saturday, June 13, at Heritage Park in Homer Glen.

The Foundation’s website address is hgcnhfoundation.org.