Aug. 14 through Aug. 20, 2011, has been proclaimed "Teen Appreciation Week" (TAW) by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn, Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski, Schaumburg President Al Larson and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod. TAW celebrates the uniqueness of adolescence, and encourages the natural creativity and energy of youth in this stage of life. The proclamations encourage everyone to recognize teens for their positive contributions to the community.

In the greater Schaumburg Township area, special activities and offers have been planned for that week by local agencies and businesses targeting youth ages 12 to 19.

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the Township's Spectrum Teen Center will take teens on a trip to the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Hope Children's Hospital to participate in their "Meals from the Heart" program, making lunch for families of hospitalized children. The Spectrum Teen Center will then host a "Taste of Spectrum" for teens on Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. featuring international foods. There will also be special snacks and games with prizes awarded during the other teen center shifts, Monday and Friday.

To cap off the week, Spectrum will host a free barbecue picnic for teens, Friday, Aug. 19, from noon to 3 p.m., at Maple Park, just north of Township Hall, featuring free food, softball, volleyball, soccer, Frisbee and water balloon activities. The Schaumburg Township Human Services Fund and Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital are both supporting the picnic with cash donations; and Culver's, 1410 E. Algonquin Road in Schaumburg, is donating cups of frozen custard for the teens to enjoy.

To help Spectrum celebrate, Wendy's, 1871 W. Golf Road in Schaumburg, will also donate 15% of their sales between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, to Spectrum.

Snacks and prizes for use in the Spectrum Teen Center that week were donated by Barnes & Noble, Fuddruckers, Lou Malnati's, Jewel-Osco, the Schaumburg Park District Waterworks, Healthy Inspirations Gym, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines, the Target Greatland Store, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Chick-Fil-A, and Mario's Pizza -- all in Schaumburg; and Buffalo Wild Wings in Hoffman Estates.

Other agencies have special plans, too: The Village of Schaumburg's teen center, "The Barn," will hold fun activities for teens all week during their regular shifts, including an introduction to TAW on Monday afternoon; Board Game Night on Tuesday; Popcorn and Movie Night on Wednesday; Candy Day on Thursday; and an Ice Cream Social on Friday. The week before TAW, the Vogelei Teen Center, operated by the Village of Hoffman Estates and the Hoffman Estates Park District, will hold a barbecue and a movie night. And, throughout TAW, the Schaumburg Township District Library will allow teens to pick up a coupon to clear up to $10 in fines.

The following local businesses will offer special deals for teenagers during TAW if they show their school or teen center ID:

• Elk Grove Village: Pasta Mia, 642 Meacham Road; Rocco Vino's Italian Eatery, 627 Meacham Road; and Superior Delights Candy, Meacham Road.
• Hoffman Estates: Brown's Chicken, 1059 W. Golf Road; Laser Quest, 860 N. Roselle Road; Putting Edge, 2535 W. Golf Road; Sarpino's Pizzeria, 870 N. Roselle Road; and Subway, 708 E. Higgins Road.
• Schaumburg: Century Nails, 1915 W. Golf Road; County Donuts, 1218 S. Roselle Road; Dreamland Comics, 1415 W. Schaumburg Road; Embroidme, 47 W. Schaumburg Road; Great Clips, 2445 W. Schaumburg Road; Great Clips, 1109 S. Roselle Road; Julianne's Salon & Day Spa, 1437 W. Schaumburg Road; Little Sicily Pizzeria, 1409 W. Schaumburg Road; Old Town Pizza, 906 W. Bode Road; Rainbow Pets, 1417 W. Schaumburg Road; Rosati's Pizza, 120 E. Golf Road; Schaumburg Music Center, 1429 W. Schaumburg Road; Subway, 1427 W. Schaumburg Road; and Taco Bell, 275 W. Golf Road.
• Norridge: Putting Edge, 4105 N. Harlem Ave.

For updates on TAW, call the Spectrum Teen Events Line, 847-285-4620, or visit www.schaumburgtownship.org/spectrum.html.