The Aurora Cosmopolitan Club has contributed to saving the Aurora Historical Society and the historical Tanner House in Aurora. (Photo by Randy Benzie)

The Cosmopolitan International Club of Aurora is “kind of a silent group.”

“I’ve haven’t given too many interviews over my 50 years as a club member. We just tend to do our thing and not make a lot of noise,” club member Russ George said.

But, if you look across Aurora, the club’s contributions can’t be missed.

The Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and as a member of five decades, George can cite many ways he and other members have impacted the area.

George was asked to join the Aurora Club in January 1967, and served as President of Cosmopolitan International from 1992-93. He’s a wealth of knowledge and his voice beams with pride when he talks about the group’s success.

The Cosmopolitan International Club of Aurora, Illinois was chartered in April of 1927 with 65 members. Today, they have about 40 members.

And, while the group’s main focus these days is fundraising money in an effort to find a cure for diabetes, that wasn’t always the case.

Frank Weisgerber was the club’s first president in 1967 and it was through his efforts that the Aurora Cosmopolitan Club became a sponsor of the Edna Smith Children’s Home in Aurora, (also known as the Juvenile Protective Association).

“When he became our president, that became the club’s first major project,” George said. “He was quite into child welfare in those days, and there wasn’t a lot of places (orphaned) kids could go.)”

This relationship with the children’s home lasted through the late 50’s. During that time, the club provided Christmas parties with gifts, Easter egg hunts, summer camps, day trips, egg and milk needs for all 40 children at the home, plus three entries into the annual soap box derby. When Weisgerber passed away on April 11, 1952, he left $250,000.00 of his estate to the Edna Smith Children’s Home.

The Aurora club also contributed to saving the Aurora Historical Society and the historical Tanner House in Aurora.

“In 1967, when I joined, I was the new kid on the block and in charge of mowing the grass (at the Tanner House),” George recalled. Other club members donated their time doing plumbing and electrical work to help restore the home. The relationship continues today.

The club just celebrated its 90th year at the Tanner House on May XX with a party.

But, the club’s real success is its current mission, George said.

“We are currently the club that fights diabetes,” he said.

One of the biggest causes for the Aurora Cosmopolitan Club is raising funds and awareness to fight diabetes. One of those helped is 10-year old Frankie Bush of Oswego shown here with Stanley, his diabetic alert dog. (Photo courtesy of Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora)

In 1973, Cosmopolitans decided to make the campaign against diabetes mellitus the principal challenge of Cosmopolitan International.

“Cosmopolitan history points to the fact that, other than the invention of insulin, Cosmos have had a hand in virtually every major advance in detection, treatment and research for a cure of diabetes,” George said. “Cosmopolitans have helped build internationally recognized and renowned treatment and research centers, been at the forefront of the development of such tests, improved physician education, encouraged early intervention, treatment and even pioneered islet cell transplantation.”

The Aurora Cosmopolitan Club contributes yearly to the Cosmopolitan Diabetes Foundation-Discover Fund to help support international projects. Locally, however, they, send kids to diabetic camps, fund two nursing scholarships at Waubonsee Community College, support research at the University of Chicago Medicine-Kovler Diabetes Center, are a major contributor for a Diabetic Alert Dog for a local family and other support other local non-profit organizations.

The Aurora Cosmopolitan Club also teams with Presence-Mercy Medical Center. The relationship with hospital’s Center for Diabetic Wellness began in 2005, right from the center’s opening. The Aurora Club, with assistance from the Cosmopolitan Diabetes Foundation, has given over $25,000 in funding to the Center for Diabetic Wellness since.

“Our partnership with the Aurora Cosmopolitan Club is a partnership that we value at Presence Mercy,” Maria Aurora Diaz, Presence Mercy Medical Center Clinical Manager for the Center for Diabetic Wellness, said in a Cosmopolitan newsletter. “Cosmopolitan International Clubs and their members are leaders in addressing the needs of individuals with diabetes. Our partnership demonstrates to the community and our patients, that together we are committed to supporting and delivering those needs.”

“Someday the cure to diabetes is going to be there,” George said, talking about the reason behind his dedication to the club. “I hope I live to see it. I feel that with everything we’ve done, we are a small part, but we played a great role.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora is always looking to welcome new members. Club projects are fun and involve wine tasting and BBQ fundraisers. Members also host a rummage sale and sell coupon booklets. The group meets once a month in Aurora.

For more information or to attend a meeting or to receive a membership application email at cosmoaurorail@gmail.com.

— Aurora Cosmopolitan Club serves community whatever the need  —