L-W Business Women's Org Holiday Dinner Auction A Success, Raises Nearly $41,000

NEW LENOX, IL — A dinner auction to generate funds to support scholarships for local young women was again a huge success earlier this month, its organizers said.

The Lincolnway Area Business Women’s Organization (LWABWO) on Dec. 3 held its annual holiday dinner auction at New Lenox VFW Post 9545, for the benefit of raising scholarship funds to support young women in the New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort and Manhattan area. This year's event raised net proceeds totaling $40,809.98, the organization announced.

"Each year, the organization manages to raise slightly more than the last!" the organization said.

In June 2025, the organization awarded $42,900 in scholarships to 29 young women, with each receiving $1,480.

The organization will vote at its January 2026 board meeting on scholarship awards and amounts.

The organization encourages young women from New Lenox, Manhattan, Frankfort and Mokena to visit its website for scholarship applications, deadlines and information on how to apply.

The group thanked its 2025 Auction Chair Tricia Nagel, who "graciously agreed to jump in and take command rather late in the game.

"Tricia and her team worked tirelessly to see that we bring the auction over the finish line. Everyone was super-impressed with the event organization, the beautifully decorated room, the efficient auctioning and the outcome."