Volunteers lauded for outstanding efforts

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Volunteer of the Year Awards in Schaumburg, all the nominees and especially all the people who've been helped by these selfless volunteers.

From among 15 nominees, Valerie Profit, founder of Powerhouse Productions, is Schaumburg's adult volunteer of the year for 2008.

Rachael Souza, a member of the Schaumburg Police Department's Explorer Post, is youth volunteer of the year from among seven nominees.

And the winner of volunteer organization is UPS for DownS -- United Parent Support for Down Syndrome -- from among nine nominees.

Valerie Profit: Profit started Powerhouse Productions 10 years ago, when she found opportunities to learn about black heritage to be lacking in the Northwest suburbs.

From the late '70s and into the '90s, Profit had regularly brought her sons to black history events in Chicago, but found the number of African Americans living in the suburbs sufficient to justify having events there as well.

Meetings with Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson and Cultural Services Director Betsy Armistead led to Profit's creation of Powerhouse Productions, which would stage a black history performance every year at the Prairie Center for the Arts.

The shows are put together by and aimed at young people. This February's 10th anniversary performance featured an appearance and message from prominent TV Judge Greg Mathis.

Though inspired by Black History Month, each year's show shares a message for everyone in the community.

As executive director, Profit tirelessly oversees each year's show from the planning stage to performance.

UPS for DownS: In 25 years, UPS for DownS has grown from a small group of moms to a nonprofit organization serving thousands of families in the Chicago area. It opened its first office in Schaumburg two years ago.

Local efforts have included new parent coffees, Sibling Support Workshops, grandparent meetings, a Summer Swim Party at the Schaumburg WaterWorks, a holiday party at Conant High School and participation in such events as the Septemberfest parade.

The group provides support for parents and empowerment for kids with Down syndrome. They are currently working with the White Room Theater at Gymkhana for an upcoming production of "High School Musical" whose cast of 40 includes 25 young people with Down syndrome.

Rachael Souza: In just two years as a member of Schaumburg's Law Enforcement Explorer Post 31, Souza has participated in about 90 hours of meetings, training and special events.

She's volunteered to play "McGruff," fingerprint youth and taken on a leadership role with vast responsibilities as post administrator.

With the American Legion Auxiliary Post, she's also volunteered to coordinate "Music for Vets," a fundraising event for veterans.