The latest “Community Meal” in Barrington was a tribute to a Barrington High School junior who was fatally struck by a Metra commuter train earlier this year, with some who knew her telling how she was such a “giver” and “doer.”
Community Meal is both a nonprofit organization, as well as an event where a cooked meal is provided free of charge to the public in Barrington and surrounding suburbs. The March 14 meal was in honor of BHS student Marin Lacson, the 17-year-old who was killed when the morning rush hour train hit her Jan. 25 as it passed through downtown Barrington. She was on her way to school.
“The way I remember Marin is quiet, humble, a gentle soul … willing to help, do anything, just a loving, warm, beautiful person and it’s just a tragedy,” said Sandy Hasse, coordinator of The Community Meal. “We wrap our arms around people that are hurting, that’s what The Community Meal is all about. … It’s community-building, so when people are hurt, they come to a meal.”
Lacson volunteered with The Community Meal – and other area organizations – and her mother, Bridget Lacson, is listed on The Community Meal website as a team member.
Hasse said Marin would come after school, throw some of the donated food items in a freezer. The teen also helped the organization to deliver food.
“She was our food rescue person,” Hasse said. “She would bring food to my house … it was great. And her mom worked at the Cuba food pantry, so we had a great connection there.”
The Lacson family did not attend the March 14 meal, with many in the community understanding that the family, described as a close-knit one, is still grieving.
“The Lacsons are still distraught, that’s still a very tough thing to lose a child, no matter what age,” Hasse said. “But they are so appreciative. They love that we’re remembering what she (Marin) did for this community, her volunteerism.”
Hasse reported 350 meals were served that Thursday night, with and a couple trays of food given to the Barrington police and fire departments.
The Rev. Michael Brown, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, offered a prayer at meal, and said the event offers healing and time together. He said the Lacson mother and daughter visited St. Matthew a number of times.
“I think it’s another way to remember Marin and to celebrate her life,” Brown told Pioneer Press. “This is one of the ways that she gave back to her community … through The Community Meal. … There’s something with sharing a meal that binds you close together.”
Maya Peterson, 16, was on the BHS lacrosse team with Marin.
“This is fun that we get to share just things that she did because she got to do service here,” Peterson said. “So it’s kind of fun to do something she did a lot and just to celebrate her in memory of her.”
Comfort dogs were provided by SOUL Harbour Ranch, an animal therapy program of Barrington and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry for Lutheran Church Charities of Northbrook. SOUL Harbour Ranch also brought Unique, a female miniature therapy horse in her 20s.
“It brings a lot of relief, it brings blood pressure down,” Dennis Rusch, a LCC K-9 comfort dog handler, said about therapy dogs.
He said in situations where people are sad the special dogs can cheer them up a bit.
In addition to serving dinner, The Community Meal collected food donations at the event to benefit the Cuba Township food pantry. The table in the dining hall’s vestibule was filled with bagged donations.
Several of the volunteers and diners had a direct connection with Marin Lacson.
Karen Szaukellis, of Barrington Hills, was among the volunteers who accepted donations for the pantry.
“I enjoy doing things like this and helping out, and I knew the family, I knew Marin,” Szaukellis said, “I just continually think [of] and pray for them.”
Michelle Chase, of Barrington, volunteered in the kitchen, assembling take out dinners of pasta with sauce and fruit.
“My daughter is in a Chinese immersion program and went to school with Marin,” Chase said. “We want to be here to honor her. … We’re thinking of [the family] and sending our love, wishing them comfort and peace.”
Barb Floyd, of unincorporated Barrington, taught Marin Lacson in second grade in Chinese immersion at Countryside Elementary School in Barrington. She offered remarks to the audience at meal service.
Before the meal began, Floyd spoke with Pioneer Press.
“Marin loved people. She loved people first,” Floyd said. “She took that light from within her and carried it and just brought it to others in the world from the time she was little and has never stopped.
She said the teen’s young legacy will live on.
“She just is a giver,” Floyd said. “She’s a giver and a doer that I think every person in this room tonight has a little bit of her in them. She really believed in volunteering. And she has really left a lasting impact on all of us and especially this community.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
