"2020 Virtual Zonta Club of Lincoln Turkey Dinner” - Scholarship & Projects Donations Goes Live
 

[October 20, 2020] 

The Zonta Club of Lincoln planned its 56th Annual Turkey Dinner at the Lincoln Community High School up to and through September of 2020. However, as with many long-standing traditions, the Coronavirus and its unforeseen complications has led to a cancellation of the event in order to comply with the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Regulations limiting events to 50 people. More than 1,000 patrons are served annually, the Turkey Dinner is the primary source of fundraising for its scholarship awards and special projects. The rules prevent the cooking and serving of all who attend due the incredible community support received.

To keep the tradition of scholarships and projects alive, the Zonta Club of Lincoln is turning to 2020’s often used tools - the Internet and the good faith and support of Logan County citizens. A Go Fund Me Account has been established at: gf.me/u/y3k735 or you can drop off your donations at the State Bank of Lincoln- Zonta Club Turkey Dinner Fundraiser. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for our scholarships and service projects. We are kindly requesting donation amounts of your choice or what you would have paid for Turkey Dinner tickets. We appreciate any support you can give. Please feel free to reach out to Zontian, Tina Huff, at 217-737-6128.

In 2021, Zonta Club of Lincoln hopes to welcome Everyone back on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at the Lincoln Community High School, and serve our delicious turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce, cranberry sauce, and a selection of homemade desserts to over 1000 diners as we have done over the past 55 years.

The Zonta Club of Lincoln was founded on May 1, 1957. The club is a member of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta International has 28,000 members in nearly 1,200 Zonta clubs in  61 countries. In 1965, the eight year old Zonta Club of Lincoln planned a "Zonta Zupper” for the public to be held on Sunday, November 7th, at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The club members served a variety of foods, including turkey. The club charged $1.50 for adults and $1 for children. Approximately 700 people walked up a narrow, enclosed staircase to the second floor of the building that is now Abe’s Carmelcorn Shoppe. The profit that year was $450.

From that humble beginning the Zonta Turkey Dinner became an annual event held on the first Sunday in November. From the upstairs location off the Square the dinner continued at the K of C until 1970, when it moved to Carroll Catholic School to accommodate larger crowds. That year, each club member was responsible for saving five loaves of dried bread, making two pies and one cake. In 1972, profits rose to over $1,100.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Zonta Club members were innovative in making the best use of the school. They set up tables and chairs in the gym. Food prep started on Wednesday before Sunday’s dinner. On Sunday, the food was kept warm in numerous roasters throughout many classrooms.

When the electrical fuses began blowing, Harold Goodman solved the problem by setting up generators in the alley. He then strung extension cords through the gym door and down the hallways to the classrooms. In 1981, over 1000 dinners were served. In 1982, net profits reached $3500.

Many locals have contributed to our club’s successful dinners. In 1991, Comstock Bakery allowed the club to use its facilities for food preparation. In 1992, the day before the dinner, the walk-in freezer at Carroll Catholic School stopped working. Warren Wendlandt at Lincoln College came to our rescue by cooking our turkeys and the dressing in his convection ovens.

The year 1993, was momentous for the club. That year, the Zonta Turkey Dinner moved to its current location, Lincoln Community High School. The dinner would not be possible without the assistance of the LCHS cafeteria staff over the last 27 years, currently headed by Lori Lawson. They have guided us to streamline ordering, preparation, and serving, which lead to keeping down costs and decreased wear and tear on our members. We have averaged more than 1000 dinners served each year while utilizing LCHS.

In 1981, under the leadership of then Zonta Club president, Judy Awe, the club established a Health Career Scholarship. Profits of our turkey dinner and funnel cake sales at the Railsplitter Festival would be used to fund the yearly scholarships. The first year’s scholarship recipient was Dr. Don Sielaff. The scholarship program was initiated to assist local students in achieving their goals in health careers. However, over the last 35 years, the focus expanded to any post-secondary course of study, including adults returning to school. As of 2019, the Zonta Club of Lincoln has awarded nearly 100 individual scholarships. A list of previous scholarship recipients is displayed on the dining tables at the dinner.

The Zonta Club of Lincoln has contributed to many local organizations over the last 63 years we have been active in Lincoln. In fact, we are looking at the feasibility of creating a 501(c)(3) Foundation for the future, however, your contributions are not tax deductible. In recent years, we have donated to the Central Illinois Blood Bank, Girls on the Run, Habitat for Humanity, Head Start, Lincoln/Logan County Food Pantry, and the Pregnancy Resource Center. With the assistance of Charlie Lee at Lincoln IGA, our club has placed a special emphasis on donating to the Logan County Court Advocacy program for local domestic violence victims.

This year, with your help, we hope the 2020 VIRTUAL ZONTA CLUB OF LINCOLN TURKEY DINNER will give us the opportunity to continue to empower women and girls through service projects and scholarships. Help us if you can, every little bit does make a difference! Thank you Logan County and friends of Zonta Club of Lincoln members, we could not do any of this without your longtime support.

[Marcia Cook]