Operation Click to give away 5 cars to area high school students

CRYSTAL LAKE – Operation Click, a nonprofit that encourages high school students to drive safely, will be giving away cars to regional high school students today.

The organization, which started with schools in Crystal Lake, has grown to include 23 Illinois high schools and 40,000 students, said President Sean McGrath, who also is a Crystal Lake police officer.

Operation Click will host its annual Car Giveaway presentation at 4:30 p.m. today at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates before a Chicago Slaughter indoor football game. The organization is giving away five cars this year – one each to the Crystal Lake, Barrington, Wauconda, McHenry and Woodstock chapters. The actual giveaway will take place during halftime, about 8:15 p.m.

To be eligible to win, students must sign and abide by a contract agreeing to wear seat belts, drive sober, not ride in a car with a driver who has consumed alcohol, and obey traffic laws.

This year, the giveaway event will be open to the public. To get tickets, which include the football game, call Gary at the Chicago Slaughter at 847-310-3190. For information, visit www.opera tionclick.org.