Volunteer shares her talents with a variety of local groups

Laurie Stock, 43, of Lake Zurich loves biking, hiking, gardening, kayaking, skiing, dancing, reading and dogs. She also likes to make an impact in the community. As a branch market manager at the American Chartered Bank in Palatine, she has many opportunities to do just that.

"She serves on the board of directors, and also on our fashion show committee," said Mindy Phillips, director of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce. "So Laurie and American Chartered are very supportive of the chamber with their time and sponsorship."

In addition to modeling for the fashion show for the past two years, Stock handled the event's decorations.

"She made the centerpieces and personally came up with the design," Phillips said. "She's very creative."

After she attended a "Friends of the Bridge" event, Stock was amazed at how many youths and their families had been helped by the Bridge Youth & Family Services organization. She joined their board, shortly thereafter, in December 2006.

"The Bridge Youth & Family Services is a human service agency serving Palatine Township," said Stock. "Its mission is 'to assist youth and their families in developing and sustaining behavioral and emotional health through community based services.' Programs include crisis intervention, counseling and therapy, youth advocacy, youth council, parent education, substance abuse counseling and professional education."

Here, too, Stock is a member of the decorations committee for the group's upcoming fundraising gala, "Setting Sail," which will be held March 8.

"Laurie is probably asked to be at three to four meetings a month," said Peter Cunneen, executive director of the Bridge Youth & Family Services. "She brings a terrific perspective because she is involved in so many different organizations."

In 2005, the active volunteer joined another board, that of the Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council. Stock had a personal reason for doing so.

"Years ago, I had a senior client that I was very close to whose wife had passed away and his closest relative was living clear across the country," she said. "He would stop by the bank every day just to visit with me. He was lonely and depressed, and completely lost when it came to his finances. His wife had handled all their accounts and paid all the bills.

"I introduced him to the senior center where he received a great deal of help, participated in a number of the programs and made many new friends. I watched as he literally came back to life, with a new enthusiasm and confidence in himself."

As part of the organization's board executive team, Stock co-chaired its main fundraiser, "Evening in Paradise."

"When all was said and done, I invested approximately 60 plus hours working on the event, which took place Feb. 16 at the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine," said Stock. "My duties included working with the committee to secure Otis Wilson as the master of ceremonies and Steve Cochran as celebrity auctioneer. I was also able to arrange the First Choice Orchestra for dancing. I spent a great deal of time securing live and silent auction items, as well."

Over the years, Stock has been involved in many other activities including: a church youth group, Make a Difference Day, dancing for seniors in assisted living homes, PADS, Downtown Palatine Merchants Association, Home of the Sparrow 5K run, and Little City Tag Days.

"I think Laurie is a great ambassador in the community," said Cunneen. "She knows so many people through work and her volunteering. She brings those resources to organizations and gets them into the consciousness of others."