You news Wheeling Township salutes volunteers and donors
Wheeling Township honored its dedicated volunteers and generous donors in April, at Trackside in Arlington Heights, with a luncheon recognition. Over 200 guests, who share their time, talents and resources attended, with special recognition given to this year’s “Leading the Way” award winners.
Township Supervisor Michael B. Schroeder presented Leading the Way Awards to the following honorees:
Ÿ Pat Johnston from Arlington Heights was recognized for her volunteer time dedicated to the township’s food pantry, which serves over 4,077 households on an annual basis. The food pantry was remodeled and expanded last year and is now an innovative, client choice model. This mini grocery store style allows residents to choose the items that are most needed and enjoyed by their families in a spacious and colorful environment.
Ÿ Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, the Rev. Eric Schlichting, in Prospect Heights, was honored for their commitment to wiping out hunger. In the last three years, their congregation has donated food and personal essentials to the Wheeling Township Food Pantry 87 times. They also sponsor a “Christmas in July” program, helping families in need in our community.
Ÿ Marge Janovics from Mount Prospect was honored for being the Meals on Wheels coordinator for Church of the Incarnation United Methodist in Arlington Heights. Marge has been the church coordinator for over 19 years, recruiting and scheduling church volunteers to help deliver the Meals on Wheels to homebound residents in Wheeling Township. The township’s Meals on Wheels program provided over 19,000 meals in 2012, assisting seniors and the disabled.
Ÿ Sister Kristine Vorenkamp has been a Friendly Visitor at Wheeling Township for the past five years. Sister Kristine shares her time and talents with an elderly resident who is visually impaired. They are a perfect match, sharing time over lunch, shopping for clothes, and developing a bond that extends beyond the formal boundaries of any program. The Friendly Visitor program helps seniors “age in place,” enabling them to manage the physical and emotional challenges of maintaining an independent lifestyle.
Ÿ Stacy Barkley delivers Meals On Wheels to the homebound residents in Wheeling Township. Stacy is artistic and often creates seasonal craft items to deliver with the meals. Her special touches and engaging personality help bring the “outside” world to the seniors and the disabled. Residents receiving the meals are always so appreciate when Stacy shares her time and talents with them.
Ÿ Mary Price is a substitute driver for Meals on Wheels and for the last five years has always stepped forward to help out at the last minute. Mary also generously shares her time volunteering for the Escorted Transportation services and the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Wondering why Mary is always sporting the color purple? She is supporting her Alma Mater, Northwestern University.
Collectively, the Wheeling Township volunteers presented a check to Supervisor Mike Schroeder for $218,660.31, representing the monetary value of their hours of service to Wheeling Township in 2012. Through the continued support of volunteers and donors, these locally based programs provide vital services to our most vulnerable neighbors.
If you are interested in finding out more about the programs and services offered at Wheeling Township or how you can volunteer, call the township at (847) 259-7730.
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