Someone you should know - the South Shore Drill Team

As part of our Evanston Fourth of July Parade this past Saturday, one of the participants was an organization called the South Shore Drill Team.

The South Shore Drill Team is a perennial favourite, here in Evanston, and the Chicago area in general. In fact, they're so popular, that the Evanston parade puts them at the end of the parade.. because people won't leave until they've seen the South Shore Drill Team.

In addition to their popularity, the South Shore Drill Team is a terrific organization. They were founded in 1980, by Arthur Robertson, a former Chicago Public School teacher, as an outlet to keep inner-city children from being drawn to gangs and drugs. Arthur's philosophy of "idle hands are the devils' workshop" caused him to create this group, which tries to focus on positive activities.

They have been recognized for their precision drilling and wide range of dance. With 350 members, from ages 7 through 21, all members must be students in good standing, as well as gang-free and drug-free.

The team offers youth the ability to develop self-esteem, self-discipline, teamwork and the opportunity to be a part of something much larger than themselves. Every year, the South Shore Drill Team performs at over 100 events (including our own Evanston Fourth of July parade) with a combined audience of over 35 million viewers.

the South Shore Drill Team is a not-for-profit organization, and welcomes donations of all sizes. They say that it costs about $2,983 a year to provide a child with the experience of being part of a winning team. And it costs close to $29,200 a year to maintain a young person in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

I apologize for the quality of the photos, they are from our parade on Saturday, and it was pouring rain at the time. You can see more photos, and video at their web site. I have no affiliation with the South Shore Drill Team, I just happen to think they're entertaining and a worthwhile organization to know about.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com