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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In St. Charles, IL

Home Care St. Charles, IL

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic St. Charles Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St. Charles, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care St. Charles, IL

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend this care company. Specifically Marya, one of the executive managers, went above and beyond to make sure my dad was comfortable, and the care giving was done well. Relatives commented on the house looking cleaner than they could remember! When my father had to move on to more intensive setting, Marya helped take stress off the family by helping us conduct legwork in locating a facility. Even though Dad has moved on, Marya still shows care and concern for our family by periodically checking in. Thank you for everything!!”

Gina R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”

Cathy S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”

Cathy S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They give her breakfast. We have had other companies, but we have been able to stick with always best for a while.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care sends friendly caregivers who have had a positive impact on Pamella's life. Always Best Care is very responsive and helpful to me. They provide reliable and quality caregivers.”

Pamella M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider I just thought that they were there and did a great job. I thought they were very caring.”

John S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and conscientious about my property, as well as my needs. I am truly impressed by the organization, the quality of people and the way they do business.”

Dave M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The one woman we really like, we work really well. I like the one person we get every week. It depends on who you have and how well they're trained.”

Priscilla O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They help with the shopping. They are useful.”

Christopher C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly tell you they are some of the best people to work with, Cindy conducted my interview and walked me through the hiring process and explained my duties and responsibilities to my client, she's always available for any questions that you may have. Ragu the owner has an opened door policy where we can call him at any time and he will address any concerns that we may have. Nicole is the newcomer to the group she is the scheduler And she works within the schedule that we give her, she's also willing to make last minute adjustments if we need the day off or if there's an emergency with no problem this agency in my humble opinion is one of the best to work for.”

Kimberly A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“great service”

Sabeen K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and understanding I appreciate Always Best We had a wonderful experience working With Mr. Raghu he’s very kind and considerate not only to the people we care for but to his employees to. I encourage all caregivers to join our team today you will love it.”

Tereya G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They have good service and are very open to different people”

Cassandra C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted to ensure they were satisfied as well. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was due to some disconnect I felt with communication, but they were very responsive when I reached out. Would definitely try them again if (God forbid) the need arises for the care of an ill loved one.”

Nanette C.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in St. Charles, IL?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care St. Charles, IL

Types of Elderly Care in St. Charles, IL

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
 Respite Care St. Charles, IL
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers St. Charles, IL
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Frontier Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care St. Charles, IL
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Prasino St. Charles or visit St. Charles Water Tower 1887 - St. Charles Historic Landmark, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care St. Charles, IL

Benefits of Home Care in St. Charles, IL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in St. Charles, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care St. Charles, IL

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IL's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care St. Charles, IL

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St. Charles, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

 Respite Care St. Charles, IL

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers St. Charles, IL

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Lake St. Charles Retirement Community
  • Windsor Estates of St. Charles - Retirement Community
  • LEWIS and CLARK GARDENS
  • Fairwinds - Rivers Edge
  • Mount Carmel Senior Living
  • Parkside Retirement Living
Home Care St. Charles, IL

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care St. Charles, IL

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St. Charles, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care St. Charles, IL

Latest News in St. Charles, IL

St. Charles D303 unions slam flyer endorsement as misleading

Michelle Bettag: ‘It’s not misinformation. It’s educators who are wanting these candidates’A flyer purported to say St. Charles District 303 educators endorse four candidates in the April 1 consolidated election has come under fire as misinformation.There are eight candidates vying for four four-year terms in the April 1 consolidated election.The flyer lists Heidi J. Fairgrieve and Thomas Lentz ...

Michelle Bettag: ‘It’s not misinformation. It’s educators who are wanting these candidates’

A flyer purported to say St. Charles District 303 educators endorse four candidates in the April 1 consolidated election has come under fire as misinformation.

There are eight candidates vying for four four-year terms in the April 1 consolidated election.

The flyer lists Heidi J. Fairgrieve and Thomas Lentz – both incumbents – and newcomers Antonietta Berton-Nicklaus and Elias Palacios as being endorsed.

The district’s three unions say Fairgrieve is the only one on the flyer that they endorse. The other three they endorse are incumbent Kate Bell, and newcomers Jenna Hancock and Kimberly Rich.

“They are true advocates for students and recognize the complexity of all the issues that are impacting high quality education,” SCEA President Jennifer Adam said, of the four who are endorsed.

In a news release, the St. Charles Education Association, Educational Support Professionals and Transportation and Maintenance stated the flyer was paid for by People of Kane County, a political action committee “associated with the fringe group Kane County Speaks.”

According to the State Board of Elections, People of Kane County registered Jan. 27 as a political action committee without party affiliation, “Doing any legally permitted activities under the current laws to make the next generation safe for our children.”

It lists Michelle Brickert as its chair and treasurer, at 40W310 LaFox Road, St. Charles, and its attorney as Larry Bettag – who is Michelle’s husband.

Michelle Brickert Bettag said she used her maiden name in the PAC filing.

In the news release, Adam condemned the flyer as a disinformation campaign that “undermines the integrity of the electoral process and distracts from the real issues at stake: the future of our schools and the well-being of our students.”

Michelle Bettag defended the flyer.

“They don’t own the word ‘educators,’” Bettag said. “These teachers unions think they own everything...It has nothing to do with the unions. To say it is purposeful misinformation is incorrect.”

As to whom the educators are that the flyer refers, Bettag said an educator “could be the administration, it could be the school board, it could be teachers – it could be a lot of things.”

“It’s not misinformation. It’s educators who are wanting these candidates,” Bettag said. “I do not see it as misleading or misinformation.”

As to Kane County Speaks, Bettag said it is a news site.

Adam said when the unions choose candidates to support for the D303 school board, their PAC committees take all day to interview the candidates one-on-one before they make recommendations, Adam said.

“Then each union has their own group that votes whether or not to accept,” Adam said.

As to the unions not owning the word “educators,” Adam said the union coalition has historically used the term “D303 Educators” when announcing and advertising its endorsements.

“As District 303 educators, we are certified staff, support staff, custodians, teachers, aides, bus drivers – we are all working with kids in some way, shape or form. Our yard signs over the years have said, ‘D303 Educators’ recommend,” Adam said. “It has been consistent over the years.”

As to Bettag’s PAC, Adam said she believed it chose people with a specific set of interests that do not reflect what children need.

“Some people distributing the flyers have made comments at open session at board meetings about gender ideology and harboring migrants in our schools,” Adam said. “We have a group advocating for board members who we don’t feel are the best candidates for making the decisions that impact all of our kids.”

Adam said the unions’ collective bargaining are not just about salary and benefits, but are what keeps class sizes low and maintains safe schools.

“We see the flyers as undermining the time and energy and thought that goes into making these recommendations,” Adam said. “It’s really frustrating and disappointing.”

As for the candidates listed on the People of Kane County’s flyer, Fairgrieve said she did not have a comment.

“I appreciate anybody who supports me,” Lentz said.

Palacios echoed that sentiment.

“If they want to support my candidacy, I welcome any support,” Palacios said. “I did not get any money from anyone.”

Berton-Nichlaus said she believed she was on the flyer because other educators in the area were endorsing her.

“I did have an interview early in my campaign with the unions and they chose not to endorse me – and that is their right,” Berton-Nichlaus said.

“All I can say is there are educators other than unions. Ph. Ds, retired teachers,” Berton-Nichlaus said. “We have maybe teachers who do endorse us and are not coming out and saying it. I don’t know. There’s more than just union people.”

The three unions represent more than 1,400 teachers, licensed staff, support staff, maintenance workers, custodians, grounds workers, and bus drivers.

Witness St. Charles native make history on moon landing live-stream Sunday

The St. Charles community and people around the world can witness history Sunday as a former D303 student – now rocket scientist – hopes to land a spacecraft on the surface of the moon.St. Charles native Benjamin Tackett could join an exclusive group of space explorers if his team successfully can execute its mission, which is expected to land just before 3 a.m. on March 2.The landing will be broadcast live beginning at 1:30 a.m...

The St. Charles community and people around the world can witness history Sunday as a former D303 student – now rocket scientist – hopes to land a spacecraft on the surface of the moon.

St. Charles native Benjamin Tackett could join an exclusive group of space explorers if his team successfully can execute its mission, which is expected to land just before 3 a.m. on March 2.

The landing will be broadcast live beginning at 1:30 a.m. on Youtube.

Tackett is one of two systems engineers on Blue Ghost Mission 1, by Texas-based space company Firefly Aerospace.

Blue Ghost is an unmanned lunar lander that left Earth on Jan. 15 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Blue Ghost spacecraft separated from the SpaceX rocket shortly after entering orbit and began its solo journey to the moon.

Tackett and the rest of the Firefly team have been guiding and operating the spacecraft from mission control in Texas since the launch.

Nearing the end of its 45-day journey, Blue Ghost has been orbiting the moon since Feb. 14 and will begin its final descent this weekend.

Firefly Aerospace and NASA will stream the landing live on their YouTube channels. Both streams are scheduled to begin at 1:30 a.m. March 2, with the landing time estimated no earlier than 2:45 a.m.

To see the mission’s progress so far or for live updates with photos and videos from aboard the lunar lander, visit the Blue Ghost Mission 1 webpage.

Blue Ghost’s mission objective is to complete a soft landing, meaning the lander and payload will touch down on the moon’s surface without incurring significant damage – a feat that only has been done successfully a handful of times in history.

Once on the moon, Blue Ghost will continue operations for 14 days (equal to one full lunar day) after landing, during which Firefly hopes to capture the first imagery of a lunar sunset from the surface of the moon.

While on the moon, Blue Ghost will perform subsurface drilling, collect samples, measure radiation, and measure and mitigate lunar dust. It also will deliver 10 payloads of NASA’s science and technology instruments to the surface for NASA, valued at more than $100 million.

The Firefly team hopes the mission will provide critical data about the moon’s geophysical characteristics and the interaction of solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field.

Blue Ghost is Firefly’s first moon mission and it would be the first soft landing executed by an American commercial company and the 60-day mission would be the longest operation of its kind.

This is not Tackett’s first time working on missions to space. He’s been part of Mars missions during his time at NASA Langley Research Center.

Before beginning his career as a rocket scientist, Tackett was a student at District 303 schools including Fox Ridge Elementary, Haines Middle School and St. Charles North High School, where he was an honor role student and member of the hockey team.

After graduating, Tackett earned a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University.

St. Charles East Basketball

Jersey Mike’s teaming up with St. Charles charity this month to fight pediatric cancer

Illinois residents can raise money to help St. Charles’ Cal’s Angels fight pediatric cancer just by ordering Jersey Mike’s on March 26.More than 80 Jersey Mike’s locations in Illinois are participating in the 15th annual “Month of Giving” and “Day of Giving” campaigns this month to raise money for Kane County no...

Illinois residents can raise money to help St. Charles’ Cal’s Angels fight pediatric cancer just by ordering Jersey Mike’s on March 26.

More than 80 Jersey Mike’s locations in Illinois are participating in the 15th annual “Month of Giving” and “Day of Giving” campaigns this month to raise money for Kane County nonprofit Cal’s Angels.

During the “Month of Giving,” customers are encouraged to “round up” their total by $1, $3 or $5, which will be donated to Cal’s Angels.

he month-long campaign will culminate on March 26 with the “Day of Giving” event, when 100% of all sales at every participating location will go to Cal’s Angels.

Additionally, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro has committed to matching up to $1 million of the total funds raised by the end of both events.

“I would like to extend a personal invitation to visit Jersey Mike’s Subs throughout the month of March, and especially on Day of Giving when 100 percent of sales – every penny – goes to help a great local cause,” Cancro said in a news release.

Cal’s Angels was founded in 2007 in honor of Cal Sutter, a 12-year-old from South Elgin who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. He lost his battle with the disease in August 2006.

The nonprofit funds clinical trials and other cancer research at prominent children’s hospitals, helps the families of children with cancer pay bills, raises awareness and grants wishes for children battling cancer.

Cal’s Angels co-founder, board member and Cal’s father Tom Sutter is calling on Kane County residents to “Spread the word to everyone you know; Get out and go to Jersey Mike’s, especially on March 26.”

This is the first time Cal’s Angels will be the beneficiary of the Jersey Mike’s promotions, and Sutter said he was taken aback when he got the wonderful news.

“When I first learned about it, it made me well-up,” Sutter said. “That was pretty cool, like something out of the blue, you know, something unexpected.”

The nonprofit was nominated for the giving campaigns by Jim Shipman, an old friend of the Sutter family and the Cal’s Angels team who owns several Jersey Mike’s locations in the area.

Sutter said the promotions have raised over $500,000 for partnering charities in the past, which he said would go a long way in their research and in opening a new high risk cancer center at Lurrie Children’s Hospital, which will be unveiled this summer.

“If we hit that kind of number, we will easily be able to help hundreds of families,” Sutter said. “When we started Cal’s Angels, we didn’t go into this thing thinking we’d ever be able to fund a $4 million program... To have a franchise like Jersey Mike’s have 81 locations raise money for you for an entire month, that’s just unbelievable.”

Since Month of Giving began in 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $113 million for local charities.

“We are so honored that Jersey Mike’s chose us to be their Chicagoland charity to give back to,” Cal’s Angels co-founder and president Stacey Wahlberg said in a news release. “Having such a prominent partner in the community helps us spread awareness about pediatric cancer and each dollar raised will truly make a difference in finding a cure. The generosity of the entire Jersey Mike’s organization is overwhelming and we are very thankful.”

Cal’s Angels raises about $4 million annually and has raised over $27 million since its founding in 2007. For more information on the nonprofit’s initiatives and programs, visit www.calsangels.org.

St. Charles East softball, St. Charles North girls soccer win season openers: Monday’s Kane County roundup

St. Charles East 7, Taft 1 Both Hayden Sujack (three hits, two runs) and Lexi Majszak (two hits) blasted solo home runs to lead the Saints on offense, while Makayla Van Dinther only allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out 16 batters over seven innings for their first win of the season.Aurora Ce...

St. Charles East 7, Taft 1

Both Hayden Sujack (three hits, two runs) and Lexi Majszak (two hits) blasted solo home runs to lead the Saints on offense, while Makayla Van Dinther only allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out 16 batters over seven innings for their first win of the season.

Aurora Central Catholic 10, Plano 0 (six innings)

Sophia Delgado led the team with three RBIs as the Chargers put up 11 hits and six walks on offense. Corina Miller got the win in the circle, only allowing five hits and striking out six to notch their first win of the season.

Oswego 18, Batavia 6

The Bulldogs could not recover from an 11-0 deficit through two innings. Sydney Stepina and Payton Kaefer each recorded two RBIs for the Bulldogs, while Leah Paganelis had an RBI.

St. Charles North 3, Crystal Lake Central 0

The North Stars started the season on the right foot with a shutout victory over the reigning Class 2A state champions. Freshman Madi Shanahan put up two goals in the contest, while Maddie Room netted another.

St. Francis 11, West Chicago 4

The Spartans put up 12 hits in their season opener to get the victory over West Chicago. Colt Armbrust led the offensive effort with three hits, two RBIs and a stolen base. Zack Maduzia also put up three hits, while Joey Gainer and James McGrath both added two RBIs off of two hits for St. Francis.

Marmion 4, Parkview Christian 4

Marmion couldn’t convert with runners on second and third in the bottom of the seventh as the Cadets finished their season opener in a tie. Ronan O’Connor was the only Cadets player with multiple hits in the game and added two stolen bases and two runs. Trajan Stroto-Featherson had two RBIs to lead the scoring. On the mound, Nate Bostrand only allowed one hit and struck out five in three innings of work.

Plano 10, Aurora Central Catholic 9

After entering the sixth inning down 9-1, the Chargers rallied for five runs in the sixth inning and three in the seventh, but suffered the loss on a wild pitch that scored Dillan Johnson. Jackson Michels led the Chargers with three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the seventh inning, while Nick Czerak and Aidan Crisci plated a pair of runners apiece.

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