Kari Olson Will Keynote Arlington Heights Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

     Kari (Tanana) Olson, a mother with an inspiring story of the power of faith in overcoming physical challenges, will be the keynote speaker at the 31st annual Arlington Heights Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 1, 2018, from 7:00-9:00 AM at the DoubleTree Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (just west of Arlington Heights Road).  The event also features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, and music.

     

     Kari Olson is a pastor’s wife and mother of three active children, ages 12, 9 and 7.  Kari’s husband Tom Olson is the pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Barrington.  Currently, Kari is the co-leader of Café Mom, a ministry to moms in her church and community. 

     When Kari and her family lived in Arlington Heights, she was appointed to the village’s Youth Commission, where she served for six years, two of those years as Co-Chairman.  Before moving to Illinois, she worked for the Detroit Tigers’ Community Care department.  (Kari’s father is Frank Daryl Tanana who was a Major League left-handed pitcher. Tanana's major league career spanned 1973 to 1993 and he played for the Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees.)

     Between 2010 and 2014, Kari slowly lost her hearing, eventually going completely deaf. She is grateful for the many skilled people in her community who have enabled her to hear again through cochlear implants and for God, who did not forsake her in this trial.

     Kari says she loves borrowing stacks of books from her local library, taking sunny walks, and visiting extended family.  She is a graduate of Wheaton College.

     Kari’s story should be of interest to anyone who is facing or who has faced what appear to be insurmountable challenges.  The prayer breakfast planning committee is especially encouraging women who are mothers to attend and be inspired.

     Lutheran Life Communities is the sponsoring organization for the Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person or $200 for a table of 10 and may be ordered and paid for on line at http://business.arlingtonhcc.com/events/details/arlington-heights-mayor-s-community-prayer-breakfast-2018-10466.  For more information contact Chamber Staff at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at 847-253-1703 or by e-mail at info@arlingtonhcc.com.