Junior Woman’s Club Takes over Lemont with 'Amazing Race' Fundraiser

Dozens of limos will be descending on Lemont this Friday night for the Lemont Junior Woman's Club’s spring fundraiser.

During the May 20 event, teams of eight will be chauffeured around the village in fully-stocked limos and complete different tasks at several Lemont establishments. When participants complete the challenge, they’ll earn the next clue.

“We’re taking over Lemont,” said Junior Woman's Club member Mary Harris. “It’s definitely going to be noticed when 39 stretch limos are cruising through town.”

The evening will begin for participants with dinner at the . The race will follow, and the evening will culminate again at the World Center with live music by The Sound Decision Band, dancing, a silent auction and raffles. The winners of the race will also be announced.

Harris is thrilled at the number of people who signed up for the sold-out event.

“My goal was between 30 and 32 limos,” she said. “Tickets sold out faster than I expected and more than I expected.”

Participants include Lemont residents and people who participated in last year’s Amazing Race who opted to do it again.

“We even have a limo full of teachers, which I think is going to be neat,” Harris said.

She said contestants will have fun.

“Everybody’s going to have a great time following the clues and challenges,” she said. “They’re going to be asked to do some crazy things they probably wouldn’t do on a normal Friday night.”

Fellow Junior Woman’s Club member Leigh Fox will be in a limo with some of her friends for the event.

“We do it every year,” she said. “It’s insane fun.”

As for getting her friends to participate, Fox said no persuasion is involved.

“Once they did the first one, they don’t ever want to be left out,” she said.

The Lemont Junior Woman’s Club is an all volunteer organization whose goal is to provide financial support to Lemont's two food pantries, award scholarships to deserving high school students who volunteer in the community and fill baskets with basic household items for needy families in town on Make A Difference Day, among other philanthropic efforts.

The spring fundraiser is the biggest for the club, bringing in thousands of dollars each year.

For more information about the Lemont Junior Woman's Club, visit www.lemontjuniorwomansclub.org.