Northwest suburban women lauded for volunteerism

Two Arlington Heights women have earned the honor “Unsung Heroine” from the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues.

Maureen Seleski, known for her work on behalf of senior citizens, also spent five years as a foster mother for babies with medical issues while staying at home with her own children.

She currently manages senior services for Northwest Community Hospital and has spent 20 years on the village's Senior Citizen Commission. One of the other positions that Seleski has held in the area of service to seniors is president of the board of Escorted Transportation Services Northwest Agency, which links volunteer drivers with frail, elderly clients who need rides to medical appointments.

Seleski's affiliation with St. James Parish includes selection as a lay minister. She is the honoree chosen from the Cook County Board's 15th District, where Timothy O. Schneider is commissioner.

Debi Stanton pours much of her volunteer time into WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger). She concentrates on sorting and organizing donated merchandise for the organization's Palatine Resale Store.

While Stanton has helped WINGS for eight years, her dedication was most impressive after a fire destroyed the store in 2010. She worked four to six hours daily for three months in very hot weather to restock and set up the new store.

She is also a board member of the Arlington Heights Junior Women's Club and serves on the Wish Tree committee that provides Christmas presents to local children. Stanton represents Cook County's 14th District, where Gregg Goslin is commissioner.