Wheaton Kiwanis select 2007 citizen of the year

From the time Robert Donisch moved into Wheaton, he could be found every year loading up his station wagon with donated food to bring to needy families during the holidays.

Outside the holidays, he'd coach Wheaton Junior Women's Buddy Baseball for disabled youth. Or, he'd be coaching Wheaton Park District basketball. Or, he was serving as a Cubmaster or assistant Scoutmaster. When he wasn't busy doing all that, he'd volunteer at St. John Lutheran Church as an usher or Sunday school teacher.

The fact is, Donisch is still doing many of those volunteer activities. For that reason, the Wheaton Kiwanis named him their 2007 Citizen of the Year Tuesday night.

"This whole award is actually recognition for hundreds of volunteers throughout the Wheaton community," Donisch said. "I'm just trying to do my best to follow God's word and do the best I can."

The focus of Donisch's volunteer efforts is serving as the co-chair of the Wheaton Warrenville Christmas Sharing Program. A network of church, school, library and community efforts feeds up to 700 families in the area during the holidays. Collection of goods typically begins in late summer or early fall.

The program has no overhead, no staff and no offices. The one annual cost is the rental of a truck to transport the donated goods. The program is currently seeking not-for-profit status to enable local businesses to step up their contributions in trade for a tax deduction.

Donisch received a plaque and a $500 check for him to give to the charity of his choice in recognition of his award.