Frankfort's Dancing Marlin Partners With Non-Profit To Help Others

FRANKFORT, IL — A nearly 60-year-old all-women not-for-profit organization that has made a difference across the Southland region assisting those in need has again partnered with a Frankfort business to help ensure that the group’s impact can be continued to be felt around the area for years to come.

The Suburban Service League will hold a fundraising event Thursday night and is again working with the Dancing Marlin to help raise money that will go to support the not-for-profit’s efforts. During February, The Dancing Marlin will turn over proceeds from its “Heartini” to the Suburban Service League as a way of lending financial assistance to the group.

The special red-colored cocktail made up of vodka, pomegranate juice, and triple sec will be available throughout February at the Dancing Marlin, which is located at 20590 S. La Grange Road. A non-alcoholic version of the drink is also being offered as part of the special promotion.

On Thursday night, the eatery will offer a special social event to kick off the campaign. The event is open to the public and will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday in the restaurant’s private room, organizers said.

Food is available for $32 per person and interested residents can reserve a spot at the event by sending payment to Erin Kennedy by Venmo @erin-kennedy-144SSL).

Shannon Stockland, the president of the Suburban Service League, said Wednesday that community involvement in the group's efforts goes a long week in allowing the group to continue to help others. The organization's main fundraiser, the Crystal Ball, takes place each November and has raised more than $360,000 over the past three years.

The local partnerships with business, along with a 5K run that is held each summer, all helps to contribute thousands of dollars each year to the group's missing. Other local businesses, including Cultivate Community Table and Triple R, have also partnered with the non-profit over the years — all in the name of providing assistance to those in need.

"The community involvement is huge and it means that we get to stay local," Stockland said on Wednesday. "We're all local volunteers, we're helping local people and we have local businesses helping us out."

She added: "What's great is that not only can we raise money, but we can raise awareness about how we can help others."

The annual partnership with the Dancing Marlin has taken place for four years now and has raised thousands of dollars to assist the Suburban Service League. According to the group’s website, the not-for-profit works with a variety of organizations and flourishes because of the work of local volunteers.

All of the money raised by the Suburban Service League goes to help both individuals and organizations in need. Stockland said the group has very few administrative costs, which allows all of the money donated to go back to those who need help the most.

The organization works to help those affected by homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse, developmental disabilities, and other issues that require assistance, the group said.

"All of the money raised, truly 100 percent go out to those in need," Stockland said.