Community Corner
Star Trek Fan Club Hosts Trivia Night Fundraiser
Local organization to raise scholarship money in honor of its founder, who died in 2006.
A special trivia event is coming to Deerfield on Saturday to raise money for a scholarship program.
About five years ago, Kathy Hassig, the founder of a Chicagoland Star Trek fan club, passed away. Ever since, members of the organization have been raising money on her behalf.
“We wanted something to remember her [Hassig] by,” Deerfield native Hilary Winiarz said about why the club has already handed out three $1,000 scholarships to Illinois State University’s College of Education.
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Along with being the USS Magellan’s founder, Hassig was also a schoolteacher.
“We all don’t live in our parent’s basements,” Winiarz joked about the reputation of Star Trek fans. “We’re doctors; we’re lawyers; I work for Accenture.”
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According to Winiarz, Hassig “really lived the core values that Star Trek teaches” and constantly promoted peace, health and happiness. “Kathy inspired us to be the best people we can be,” she added.
When Hassig died at age 51 in February 2006, her Star Trek memorabilia was auctioned off to other members of the club, which raised $1,800.
"Because she was such a good friend to all of us, we thought that we just wanted to keep this thing going,” Winiarz said, explaining how the scholarship fundraising got started.
The group’s next event hits Deerfield on Saturday. Trivia night will kickoff at the sandwich shop on Waukegan Road at 6 p.m. It’s $10 a person and the winning team will walk away with a cash prize.
Those interested in attending can register for the event by sending an e-mail to TriviaNightRegistration@hotmail.com
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