Our community spotlight for the week highlights CORE of McLean. The nonprofit organization is made up of a small group of volunteers who are dedicated to bringing more pride, life, and activity into the town of McLean. CORE President, Katie Funk, stated “We want to make McLean a great place to live as well as a community that attracts visitors and businesses.” Along with President Katie Funk, CORE’s other board members are Jeff Hake, Vice President, and Tom Ludlam, Treasurer. The small group of volunteers help with the organization’s projects and events. The organization’s motto is: Pride in our Past, Progress in the Present, Prosperity in the Future. Katie Funk has been involved with CORE since 2013 and has been their President since 2017. While discussing her involvement with the organization, Funk proclaimed, “My favorite part is seeing people enjoying the fruits of our efforts, whether that's taking a photo in front of our mural, admiring the beautiful flowers on the square, or having a great time at our run/walk. Seeing people's smiles is always the best part.”

One way CORE works to make McLean a better place is through their main fundraiser, which is an annual 6.6k run/walk on Route 66 from Funks Grove to McLean. The event is called “Get Your 6.6 on Route 66!” The fundraiser started in 2014 and has grown into a very popular event. In 2019, they had nearly 250 participants. They are planning on having the fundraiser in person again this year on Saturday, August 28th, with registration opening on June 1st. Another fundraiser CORE hosts is an annual adopt-a-pot program. Local businesses and community members sponsor pots of flowers that decorate and brighten up the McLean town square all spring and summer. All funds that CORE raises are used for community projects. A few other projects the organization has completed or are working on include: a mural on a historic building, three new welcome signs, and a new park. They are planning on raising funds for the park partly through offering personalized engraving of stepping stones for the park.

To learn more about CORE and all they are accomplishing, check out their Facebook page “CORE of McLean”. Their run/walk fundraiser also has its own Facebook page “Get Your 6.6 on Route 66” and webpage www.mclean-il.com/get-your-6-6-on-route-66.