College football legend Lattner highlights Senior Home Sharing anniversary bash

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Johnny Lattner, winner of the Heisman trophy in 1953, spoke at the Senior Home Sharing anniversary event Thursday night. Courtesy of David Sharos

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Updated: October 29, 2011 12:33AM

A legend from Notre Dame football came to the area Thursday night as Senior Home Sharing Inc. celebrated “Legends and Legacies,” a 30th anniversary for the organization held at Harry Caray’s Restaurant at Westin Yorktown Center.

Founded in July 1981, Senior Home Sharing Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides seniors with an opportunity to live independently in an affordable family-style home. The organization owns and operates shared-living homes in Naperville, Elmhurst, Downers Grove and Lombard, as well as a four-unit apartment building in Lombard.

The event, which drew more than 170 people, was highlighted by football legend and 1953 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner, who addressed guests at the gala. Lattner is a Fenwick High School graduate and lifelong resident of Chicago’s western suburbs.

In addition to his football fame, the former halfback is known for running the popular Marina City restaurant from 1968 to 1972 and for his annual appearances in Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Event consultant Kay Kendall said this was the largest group that has attended the annual event, which drew many former board members of Senior Home Sharing as well as executives.

“We’ve only had three executive directors over the past 30 years, so I think that shows a lot of stability about the organization,” Kendall said. “The turnout this year has been fabulous. We’re very pleased about that.”

Board member Claudia Banks said she has served the organization for 10 years. Her mother lived at the Naperville facility, which proved to be the catalyst for her interest.

“We’ve had a lot of volunteers get involved with this organization, which has allowed us to stay stable,” Banks said. “As we look to the future, I’m hoping we’ll continue to add more homes and facilities. They are certainly needed.”

Senior Home Services Executive Director Angela Bentsen said that Lattner, 78, addresses a lot of senior groups across the country and that his speech was being billed as “a senior moment.”

“We wanted a senior who was compelling and had a little bit of notoriety, and Kay heard him speak before and knew he was engaging,” Bentsen said. “Once we contacted him, he was happy to work with us. Mr. Lattner is also very generous with the Heisman Trophy. He allows people to be photographed with it, and he allows it to be auctioned off. The highest bidder gets to keep the trophy for two weeks. We thought this would make for a very enjoyable evening.”

Paul Hadley, 78, said he has lived in the Elmhurst facility for the past seven years and that the administration and staff that work with Senior Home Services have been “absolutely wonderful.” Hadley also said he had a few questions to ask the Notre Dame legend.

“I saw him (Lattner) play at Notre Dame, and I’d be interested to know how many people he went up against when he was in the running for the Heisman,” Hadley said. “I’m also wondering why Notre Dame as a football program has slipped so much. There used to be a time when they got all the best players from the Catholic schools. Other programs have improved, but their program hasn’t.”

Lattner looked tan and fit as he entered the reception room Thursday night. His planned remarks were all about football, he said, and not an inspirational “senior” talk.

“I like to tell the old stories about how I got the Heisman, which was something I was very fortunate to get,” Lattner said. “Back in those days, you played offense and defense, and there was a lot of preseason press out there about me. We had a good coach with Frank Leahy, too.”

Thursday night’s activities also included a silent bid opportunity for a trip to Ireland, plus the raffle of a double-strand bracelet sponsored by Larc Jewelers of Glen Ellyn and a brief program that recognized the success of the agency during its first 30 years. Bentsen said due to the increased attendance, Thursday night’s fundraiser was expected to raise about $20,000. Many of the previous events raised closer to $12,000.