To promote a thriving volunteer community, the Sun City Community Association of Huntley Board of Directors unanimously approved a new volunteerism goal on March 25. The centerpiece of this project is a cross-functional Volunteer Committee composed of staff, board leaders, and representatives from Lifestyles, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), and the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC).
Among those driving the effort are residents James Papak, Sheri Goldstein, and Amy Sanecki, as well as staff members Debby Seger and Liam Sullivan. The group is charged with breaking down barriers to resident engagement and creating implementable strategies to increase active participation—a mission that directly advances the Association’s wider Strategic Goal 5.
To promote a friendly environment, the group introduced a new questionnaire for incoming residents. This form explores their unique interests and skills to help them connect more easily with neighbors. Additionally, the group hosted a pop-up ice cream social on June 10 to thank everyone who contributes to our friendly, helpful community.
As excitement builds for the upcoming summer music season, organizers are stepping up efforts to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable experience for every attendee. Following a review of past events, the committee identified a critical need for strengthened guest services and crowd management during the Sun City outdoor concerts series. To address this, Shannon Smith, Sun City’s Lifestyle Assistant, worked closely with the committee to analyze logistics. Together, they mapped out operational gaps and drafted a clear, organized framework outlining the responsibilities for a new team of Outdoor Concert Ambassadors.
“We have nine concerts scheduled this summer,” Smith said, stressing the scale of this year’s lineup. “The ambassadors will be easily identified by the vests they are being provided with. They will assist residents, ensure golf carts are parked in the designated area, and keep sidewalks clear for safety.”
Smith is the main point of contact for the outdoor concerts.
The first Outdoor Concert was held on June 25. Before the concert, Smith held an orientation and an informational meeting.
She said, “The purpose of the meeting was to explain what the ambassadors will be doing. We also took a walk to the amphitheater, and I pointed out areas that we need help with.”
Among the initial outdoor concert ambassadors who attended this orientation were Cathy Herrick, Cathy Skowronski, Debbie Liberatore, Katherine Nakis, Joyce Schulte, Kathy Allen, Scott Sands, and Traci Phillips.
Smith said, “The outdoor concert ambassadors were so helpful at our first outdoor concert last night. They arrived around 5:30 and helped monitor sidewalks, parking, and golf carts, as well as greet people and answer questions. I checked with them all at the end of the evening, and they reported feeling able to be useful and that it was a fun volunteer experience. Several expressed thanks for creating this position. It also helped me out a lot to have extra eyes on the crowd and keep the sidewalks clear.”
Allen said, “As an ambassador at outdoor concerts, I walk around the venue welcoming people as they arrive and help if people need assistance walking up or down the hills. People don’t always know where the bathrooms are or exactly where to park their golf carts, so I help with directions. After the concert, I help people as they headed back down the hills and directed a little traffic when golf carts and people with chairs try to use the same sidewalks. It’s fun to interact with the people at the concert. At the Fourth of July concert, I spritzed people with a cool mist to help them stay cool. The band really appreciated that since they were sitting in the sun.”
Residents interested in joining the outdoor concert ambassadors team for future events can contact Shannon Smith at 847-515-7713. No prior experience is required, and training will be provided for all new volunteers.
