The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its 17th Annual New Teacher Welcome Breakfast on August 5 at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club. Community businesses once again came together to show their appreciation for local education, welcoming 39 new educators, administrators, and support staff from Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 and Parkview Christian Academy. The event continues to serve as a meaningful introduction to the Yorkville community and the many businesses that support our local schools.

We are gracious and thankful to these businesses who provided an amazingly generous welcome to our new teachers:

Aurora University | Blue Heron Homes - Renee Kryger/Keller Williams Infinity | Brenart Eye Clinic | CASA Kendall County | Cole's Camp | Comparion Insurance - Chris Heitz | Dain Conway's Tax Service | Earthmover Credit Union | Edith Farnsworth House | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. - Scott Gajewski | Farmers Insurance Reid Agency | FNBO First National Bank | Grand Canyon University | Grundy-Kendall ROE #24 | Heartland Bank & Trust Company | J&E Restorations | Johns Real Estate Home Service | Just In Time Heating, A/C, Plumbing Services | Kendall Printing | Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau | KG Photography | Main Street Merchants | Midland States Bank | Monolith Plumbing | Old Second National Bank | Paisano's Pizza & Grill Co. | Pinz Entertainment Center | Providence Bank & Trust | Servbank | Shaklee Independent Distr., Healthy Alternatives | Stephen Alan Salon | The Chocolate Shoppe | The Law Office of Aaron J. Vanagaitis, LLC | The Overstock Market | Top Appliance Repair | Water Wagon by Mr. Goodwater | Waubonsee Community College | We Rock the Spectrum | Yorkville American Legion Post 489 | Yorkville Auto Body | Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ | Yorkville Educational Foundation | Yorkville Heating & Air Conditioning | Yorkville Police Department

Thanks to the generosity of Chamber members and community partners, attendees had the opportunity to win approximately $1,600 in cash prizes, along with a variety of raffle baskets, gift cards, and other giveaways. Each new staff member also received a swag bag filled with items and resources donated by local businesses.

The Chamber extends its sincere gratitude to the many businesses and organizations that contributed their time, donations, and support to help make this year's event a success. Their continued investment in education helps create a warm and welcoming experience for those beginning their journey in our schools.

Special Thanks to Whitetail Ridge Golf Club, KG Photography, and several event volunteers:

• Patrick and Dain Conway | Dain Conway's Tax Service
• Gina Johansen | Keller Williams Realty Infinity
• Joel Recchia | Heartland Bank and Trust Company
• Nathan Rosenstiel | FNBO First National Bank
• Val Stevens | Monolith Plumbing
• Sarah Allen | Providence Bank & Trust
• Alyssa Johansen | Stephen Alan Salon
• Debi Haas | Old Second National Bank
• Stephanie Roskopf | Yorkville Auto Body
• Colin Powers | Equitable Advisors
• Leslie Smogor | Yorkville Educational Foundation

On behalf of the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce and our member businesses, we welcome these new educators, administrators, and support staff to the community and wish them a successful, rewarding, and inspiring school year.