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Schaumburg restaurateur, student and food pantry honored for their good works

Restaurateur, food pantry volunteers and fundraiser for St. Baldrick's honored at 29th annual luncheon

Katy Garcia has a business model for Riccardo's Ristorante in Schaumburg, which she owns with her husband, Waldo, its head chef: give away as much as you can.

That's the case whether it's Scout troops, the Schaumburg Police Department, Schaumburg Township District 54 Foundation board, or students with disabilities served by Ups for DownS in Schaumburg.

They all have held fundraisers at the restaurant - or off site, stocked with donated food from the restaurant.

She also has developed a training session for students with disabilities, which she holds at the restaurant, in pizza making.

"I do it as an esteem-building exercise," Garcia says. "And while we're working, I talk to them about jobs in restaurants."

Last month, Garcia was named Schaumburg Adult Volunteer of the Year award winner for all of her efforts to support - and feed - groups in Schaumburg. She was selected out a group of 15 adults who were nominated from the community.

"Under Katy's leadership, Riccardo's has become known as the go-to place whenever there has been a need for help," says Schaumburg resident Mary Nagy, who nominated Garcia.

Garcia said she was thrilled to be honored as a valued member of the Schaumburg community, where she and her husband have raised their family and built their business.

"I came from a challenged childhood, so from an early age on I decided I wanted to be a better person," Garcia says, "and help as many people as I could. It's a nice way to live."

Among nonprofits, the food pantry at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg was named the volunteer organization of the year. Now in its 12th year of being run solely by volunteers, the pantry is dedicated to meeting the needs of families facing difficult economic times and is supported solely by donations. No one is turned away.

Last year alone, the food pantry drew 4,500 visits and served more than 16,600 people who received 650,000 pounds of goods, keeping its 75 volunteers - who range in age from high school students needing service hours to retired seniors - busy.

The church holds monthly collection drives to stock the shelves, but pantry officials also partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and local grocers to provide produce, meat and other staples to those in need.

A Schaumburg High School teen won the youth volunteer of the year award. Jocelyn Huey is involved in multiple activities through her church and school, and an honor student as well.

She has been the top fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's event - and had 48 inches of her own hair cut - to go toward making wigs for children with cancer. Jocelyn is involved with Students Helping Others, Student 2 Student and the Student Ambassador Club.

Her real passion is poetry. As a member of the Poetry Slam team, Jocelyn has tackled rough topics in her writing, while encouraging others to try the art of poetry.

"She has grown to be such a globally aware and sensitive young woman," says Kelly Liogia, an English teacher and Poetry Slam team sponsor at Schaumburg High. "Her warmth and exuberance make all people feel welcome, affirmed and loved."

  Volunteers from Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry which won 2016 Organization Volunteer of the Year with Village President Al Larson, third from left, during Schaumburg's Volunteer of the Year Awards. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  The Schaumburg Volunteer of the Year Awards Luncheon keynote speaker was Laura Gmeinder, leadership coach, human resources business consultant and motivational speaker. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  2016 Adult Volunteer award winner Katy Garcia of Riccardo's Ristorante accepts her award from Village President Al Larson during Schaumburg's Volunteer of the Year Awards. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  2016 Youth Volunteer award winner Jocelyn Huey of Schaumburg High School accepts her award from Village President Al Larson during Schaumburg's Volunteer of the Year Awards. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  2016 Schaumburg Volunteer of the Year Award winners: Organization, Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry; Youth, Jocelyn Huey; and Adult, Katy Garcia. photos by Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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