Red Hat Society dishes up sweet treat on hot summer day

Lunchtime was a little sweeter this week for everyone at St. Coletta’s of Illinois.

On July 25, Elaine Repa and her friends from the Red Hat Society organized an ice cream social for the nonprofit organization, serving up nearly 300 chocolate sundaes to developmentally disabled children and adults.

“These guys are so deserving,” said Repa, whose own son attends St. Coletta’s Community Day Services program. “They deserve the best.”

Repa came up with the idea about six years ago when trying to think of something she could do to make everyone’s day a little brighter.

“I wanted to do something that they could all enjoy,” she said.

The response was so overwhelming that Repa and her friends from the Red Hat Society have been dishing up scoops of ice cream every year since.

Each time, their selection of treats gets bigger and more varied to accommodate those with dietary restrictions. This year’s event featured a smorgasbord of brownies, sugar-free cookies, donuts, zucchini bread, Rice Krispies Treats and homemade pizzelle. There was even a festive cake donated by Creative Cakes Bakery in Tinley Park.

“Oh yeah,” said one participant as he walked in the lunchroom and saw the tables filled with tasty treats.

“Next year?” asked another as he finished his scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and M&M’s.

“Next year,” Repa assured him.

Based in Tinley Park, St. Coletta’s of Illinois provides educational, residential and vocational training services to more than 300 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

To learn more about organization, please visit www.stcolettasofil.org or call 708-342-5200.