Palatine parks honors past, present volunteers
On Feb. 5, the Palatine Park District held its annual Volunteer of the Year luncheon at Cotillion Banquets in Palatine with guest speaker state Sen. Matt Murphy.
The park district recognized Bob Haas, Jim Nolan and Terry Veller as Distinguished Volunteers, named to the Palatine Park District Honor Roll.
Those honored have all had significant years of service and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their organization.
Ÿ Bob Haas of Palatine Celtic Soccer has been president, vice president, division director and referee director. He has coached more than 20 teams through the years for both the House program and the Travel program. Haas was instrumental in coordinating, organizing and running the Celtic Soccer Spring Tournament for four years and the annual Celtic Club Picnic since its inception.
Ÿ Jim Nolan of the Palatine Hills Golf Association has been involved with the PHGA in several capacities, including serving on the board for more than 30 years. He was president in 1988 and vice president in 1987. During his tenure he led and participated on several committees: Holiday, Events, Travel Events, Takahashi Classic, Fall Turkey Shoot and GEM.
Ÿ Terry Veller, who passed away in 1994, started coaching with the Palatine Norsemen hockey program in 1978 and eventually assisted in merging the Palatine Norsemen and the Rolling Meadows Warriors into the Northwest Chargers of today. The Chargers grew into one of the strongest and largest youth hockey programs in Illinois through the 1980s and '90s. Terry also served as president and vice president with the Chargers, along with a number of other positions. In addition to the park district hockey programs, Terry helped start the William Fremd High School Hockey Club. He was also a big part of the Palatine Baseball Association as a coach when his son, Bob, played ball.
The Palatine Park District also recognized its Volunteers of the Year. They are: Eric Gronwick, Palatine Opportunity Center; Margaret Luba, park district quilting class; John Congram, LZP Productions; Ellen Brichetto & Jenny Yocum, Palatine Stables; Lisa Neal, Palatine Gymnastics Club; Dan Fitzpatrick, Palatine Amateur Football Association; Sylvia M. Vassmer, Prairie Woods Audubon Society.
Also, James Brustad, Palatine Tiger Shark Swim Team; Linda Gump, PAFA Cheer and Flags; Steve Maas, Palatine Baseball Association; Dave Sardina, Algonquin Longhouse Inc. NFP; Laurie Stock, Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council; Mark Fink, Palatine Celtic Cup; Kari Leonard, Palatine Children's Chorus; Joanne Wojcik, Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball; Bill Havansek, Palatine Celtic Soccer; Bob Bem, Palatine Hills Golf Association; and Beverly Keagle, Palatine Historical Society.