Suburban network group honors philanthropic efforts

The West Suburban Philanthropic Network will recognize its 2008 honorees at an awards luncheon May 21 in Glen Ellyn.

These individuals and organizations have enriched the more than 1,000 not-for-profit organizations working throughout the Western suburbs in areas such as education, health care, the arts and culture, social services, the environment and religion.

"This is truly an exceptional group of honorees," said Jill McWilliams, co-chair of the event said in a press release.

Sponsors for the luncheon include Morton Arboretum, Community Bank of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, and Nicor Gas.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsorship levels range from $1,000 to $5,000, with individual tickets available for $50 per person.

Proceeds from the event will be used to advance philanthropy and volunteerism. For details, to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, call Angela Wiley at (630) 856-2002.

Founded in 1988, the mission of the West Suburban Philanthropic Network is to offer support to development professionals and advance philanthropy. These are the honorees.

Lillian Neale Campbell, Philanthropist of the Year

Lillian Neale Campbell (1916-2006), formerly of Glen Ellyn, was a retired physical education teacher for more than 30 years in the Roselle school system.

Lillian Neale donated volunteer hours to many programs and organizations. At the end of her life, nearly her entire estate went to charities, allowing her generosity to live on in the work of numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the country.

Several local organizations that will benefit include DuPage and Glen Ellyn historical societies, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Roselle and Glen Ellyn public libraries and Morton Arboretum.

The College of DuPage Foundation Board will establish the Lillian Neale Campbell Endowed Scholarship for Healthcare Students.

Sally Porter, Philanthropic Leadership Award

Sally Porter of Hinsdale has devoted countless hours, energy and resources for the benefit of not-for-profits.

As a trustee for the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, Porter champions the mission of the foundation and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital through her service on multiple committees.

She is a founding member of the foundation's community relations committee, serves on the executive and Centennial Gala award dinner committees and is a former chair of the foundation's Assembly Board.

Currently, Porter is leading the foundation's Digital Mammography Initiative as a member of the steering committee This effort will raise $3.2 million to bring advanced breast cancer detection technology to women in the Western suburbs.

She also has held leadership positions with The Community House in Hinsdale; Fenwick High School in Oak Park; Metropolitan Family Services DuPage; Hinsdale Humane Society; and Harris Bank Hinsdale.

She is also a founding member and first vice president of Brookfield Zoo's women's board; a life member of Robert Crown Center's women's auxiliary; and a founding member of the Hanson Center's community advisory board, where she chaired its first benefit and co-chaired its Boundless Playground Building committee.

Deborah Rickert, Humanitarian of the Year

Deborah Rickert has demonstrated an extraordinary humanitarian effort by founding and serving as president and CEO of Operation Support our Troops Illinois, an all-volunteer organization whose mission "is to support the needs of ourmembers of the armed forces of the United States of America deployed in harm's way."

The group started in March 2003 from Rickert's Naperville dining room table with the idea of sharing encouragement, love and support in mailing care packages.

Through her efforts in 2007 alone, more than 66 tons of sundry items have been sent to troops serving in combat theaters overseas. Today, there are more than 300 volunteers and the group has shipped more than 200 tons of items and more than 16,000 boxes to more than 160,000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the Hines VA Hospital, through Rickert's leadership, the group has donated $75,000 to the Poly Trauma unit and has helped many returning wounded veterans and their families.

James Armbruster, Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year

James Armbruster is more than a volunteer, board member, long-time supporter and parent of a Marklund resident. He is a visionary who, most recently, incorporated attaining his personal goal with raising awareness and funds for Marklund in Bloomingdale, which provides care for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Nineteen years ago, Jim and his wife, Lynn, placed their son at Marklund. They have been active participants in fundraising activities, serving on the committee for Marklund's Top Hat Ball.

Jim initiated the California or Bust for Marklund's Kids Walk. On May 6, 2007, Jim left his family to embark on his personal quest with a focus on Marklund. He walked from Aurora to San Francisco, Calif., across the Golden Gate Bridge, finishing Oct. 6, 2007.

On his trip, Jim introduced countless people to Marklund and asked for support, eventually raising more than $142,000.

The Rev. Scott Mitchell, Nonprofit Executive of the Year

The Rev. Scott Mitchell is executive director of Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, Naperville, a nonprofit organization providing individual, group, marital and family counseling and psychotherapy to people of all ages.

Mitchell provides the day-to-day leadership of Samaritan, while continuing to counsel clients. Through a capital campaign in 2003, he helped raise $1.4 million for the purchase of a facility.

He has established branch locations in Downers Grove,Clarendon Hills and Oswego; provided insurance and credential services to Northshore Samaritan, a counseling centeroperating in Winnetka, Evanston, Lake Forest and Wilmette; and helped establish Samaritan Consulting Services.

UPS Chicago Area Consolidation Hub, Corporate Philanthropic Award

Going beyond providing financial contributions, UPS Chicago Area Consolidation Hub in Hodgkins utilizes the unique skills and resources of its leadership and employees to build long-term partnerships with local organizations. It has consistently supported the Hanson Center, part of the family of services of the Ray Graham Association.

Judith Wagner, WSPN Distinguished Service Award

Since the Philanthropy Center at the College of DuPage opened its doors in 2000, Judith Wagner, business librarian and manager, has worked to meet the needs of nonprofit organizations as they look to expand funding opportunities and enhance viability and impact.

She has conducted free monthly workshops for hundreds of organizations. She has also prepared bibliographies and research guides, held customized instructional sessions for staff and board groups and met individually with numerous development professionals in an effort to assist them with their specific questions and needs.

Wagner was also an integral part of founding Giving DuPage, a public/private initiative promoting giving and volunteerism to local charities. She has served on the board as vice president and president of Parents Alliance Employment Project, and was selected by the Business Ledger for the past three years in its annual philanthropy issue as one of "Ten People You Should Know in Philanthropy."