Judson's prayer breakfast honors awardee Velma Sept

More than 300 local volunteers and civic leaders gathered at Judson University on May 6 for the annual Community Prayer Breakfast.

This year's keynote speaker was Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, the 47th lieutenant governor of Illinois and the first Hispanic woman to hold this position in the country. Born to a Cuban refugee mother and father who migrated from Ecuador, she spoke of feeling comfortable and welcomed at this Judson event. She told stories of her upbringing by two immigrant parents who did the best that they could in a new country and about finding God in dire circumstances.

Sanguinetti earned her bachelor's degree in piano performance from Florida International University and a law degree from Chicago's John Marshall Law School. She worked in private practice and as an assistant attorney general for the former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan before being elected to her current state post. She made her debut onto the political scene in 2011 when she became a member of the Wheaton City Council.

But it was after a 2007 slip-and-fall accident and a subsequent multiple sclerosis diagnosis, she says, that led her to find a church home and a relationship with God.

At the time, Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti says, "I grew cold and was mad" at God. But well-chosen words from her husband helped her to see differently. He told her to "get busy living and stop dying."

Now, she has and is enjoying her life as a public servant, which allows her to help others. "It's only when you learn to be a humble servant that you can be a leader," the wife, mother and classically trained pianist told the crowd.

The prayer breakfast also honored the 2015 D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award winner Velma Sept.

Friends and colleagues have described Sept as diligent, unselfish, joyful, and collaborative. Over the years, she has worked in all facets of civic life, helping with initiatives as varied as literacy programs and prenatal workshops to local scholarship drives and food outreach.

She has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin since its inception, and currently serves as a board member. She is a member of the Elgin Community College Alliance for College Readiness, and is actively involved with the following organizations, including Elgin Area School District U-46 African American Advisory Council, Black Women's Association, Elgin Area Women's Connection, Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Elgin Area Chamber Retention Committee, American Gospel Quartet Convention and the U-46 Educational Foundation.

Those who nominated her say that she "consistently exemplifies" service and a "spirit of volunteerism." Sept worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years, but has been active with civic duties ever since. In addition to being the treasurer of her church choir at New Hope Baptist Church of Elgin, where she has held a membership for more than 25 years, she also travels along with family members as part of the singing group, the Larkin Family of Chicago.

Three other well-known volunteers were among the award nominees: Phyllis E. Folarin, Rev. Henoch Fuentes, and Ben Manso.

Rick Jakle, president of the Fox Valley Broadcasting Company, emceed the prayer breakfast. The Rev. Neris Diaz-Cabello, manager of spiritual care at Advocate Sherman Hospital, offered a special blessing. The group, Oval Office, provided musical entertainment, and throughout the event the Second Baptist Church Choir filled the auditorium with the sounds of praise.