Mayor’s fundraising praised

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Mokena Mayor Joe Werner | File Photo

Mokena Mayor Joe Werner recently was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization of Will, Grundy, Kankakee and Iroquois counties for his recent participation in the nonprofit group’s fundraiser.

“The Big Finale is our second-largest fundraiser,” said Cortney Frahm, partnership builder for the group. “We asked local mayors and elected officials to be our celebrity judges at two hours of dessert tasting.”

Werner was one of 14 Will County officials who stepped up to the plate with his little brother to judge dessert samples from area restaurants and bakeries, in addition to cakes baked by culinary students from Joliet Junior College and Wilco Area Career Center.

Frahm said the organization appreciated the support of officials like Werner who spent their Saturday as a role model for young people. Frahm said each official also donated $50 to the fundraiser.

“This was a great learning opportunity,” Frahm said. “This activity showed these young people that heads of villages and elected officials are everyday people.

“They inspire the children to believe they can be anything they want to be.”

Frahm said seven-year-old Andre, Werner’s little brother for a day, thoroughly enjoyed his time with Mayor Werner.

“He’s still talking about it,” Frahm said.