Glenkirk volunteer named Daily Point of Life Award winner

For years, Eileen Bennin has been a shining light at Glenkirk, inspiring others with her enthusiasm, dedication and spirit of volunteerism.

"My boys started as participants in Glenkirk 10 years ago," Bennin said. "I knew the agency was always in need of volunteers, support and funds."

Bennin decided the best way she could help was by creating a small fundraising event that would spread the word about what was being done for people with disabilities.

In 1997, she founded Glenkirk's annual benefit brunch to help raise money for services and programs. That first year, she coordinated the event by herself and raised $25,000.

Now there is a committee with four co-chairs and 18 members. In 2006, the brunch was a $175,000 sell-out. All total, the nine brunches have raised $667,000 for Glenkirk.

"We started with 30 or 40 women, 10 small raffle prizes and one big raffle," recalled Bennin, who lives in Highland Park. "It just got bigger, bigger and bigger. Now there are 1,000 people on the mailing list."

Glenkirk provides support and services for people with developmental disabilities to live, work, socialize and take classes in their own community. Through Glenkirk, more than 1,100 people are employed or in day programs that fit needs of the disabled person.

Bennin learned the basics of fundraising when her own developmentally disabled sons were living at home and she volunteered with the Organization for Rehabilitative Training.

Carolyn Zelinger of Deerfield has volunteered with Bennin for three years.

"It's been a great experience working with her. Eileen is so organized," Zelinger said. "She has a time line of when we're supposed to do things."

In May, Bennin begins organizing for the benefit. This year's 10th annual brunch will be Nov. 11 at the Ravinia Green Country Club in Riverwoods.

The Naturals, a group of savant autistic musicians who play and sing, will perform. The Glenkirk Next Generation Services will present a video, "Life in the Day."

"And I have the most incredible raffle prizes," Bennin said. "Plus, vendors from all over the North Shore have donated gift certificates ranging from $250 to in the thousands of dollars."

In June, she was designated a Daily Point of Light Award winner by the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, D.C. This award is given daily to an individual or organization that makes a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others.

"Eileen is probably our most terrific volunteer," said Fran Stedronsky, vice president of development and communication at Glenkirk. "It was not much of a decision for us to pick Eileen as a nominee."

Bennin is pro-active in bringing awareness to everyone she meets. As an advocate, she explains the needs and rights of people with disabilities in order to positively change the image some have of the disabled.

"The developmentally disabled are all vulnerable. If I don't advocate, who will advocate for them?" she said.

"This is what I chose to do. Life doesn't end when you have a child who isn't typical. Life continues on, it just takes a different form of participation."

Bennin's sons, Howard and Steven, both live in a Glenkirk group home in Highland Park.

"Glenkirk has given my children a life," Bennin said. "Glenkirk is now my family and it's my responsibility to take care of my family."