Carol Stream citizens of the year honored

Once again demonstrating the nature of volunteerism in Carol Stream, the Citizen of the Year committee recently celebrated five winners.

Each year, the committee receives nominees from service groups in town and picks a male and female winner as Citizen of the Year and Special Citizen of the Year, an award honoring people who have volunteered for five straight years in the community.

The group also provides a Judges Recognition for a person who gives his or her time in Carol Stream but doesn't live in town.

"It's so difficult to choose; they're all just so amazing," said Nancy Zak, committee chairwoman.

The winners:

Kim Gieser, Citizen of the Year

The Fourth of July Parade committee nominated Kim Gieser after she took over as chairwoman a few years ago.

She helps her group book entertainment for the parade, gather volunteers and organize fundraisers.

"We make our parade bigger, better and have more entertainment every year," Gieser said. "I love it; I love putting the parade together."

Gieser said she likes standing beside people she doesn't know at the parade to hear what they have to say about it.

"We're doing this for the residents, and I want to hear it from their voices - what do they like, what don't they like," she said.

Besides the parade committee, Gieser also is part of the philanthropic Carol Stream Women's Club and helps at her son's school.

"I was really shocked when I won," she said. "There were a lot of great ladies doing a lot of impactful things."

John Janczak, Citizen of the Year

John Janczak was chosen for the award through the Carol Stream Travel Baseball and Softball Association.

"I know that he was active in not just one sport, but in all of them," Zak said. "A lot of times most of us start volunteering because of our kids and then get sucked into other realms."

Janczak couldn't be reached for comment.

Liz Bryers, Special Citizen of the Year

The Jay Stream Middle School PTA saw fit to nominate Liz Bryers, who is serving her second year as co-president for the group.

She also manages the Web site for the PTA.

Bryers said she started volunteering at the school when her oldest son, now a freshman, was at the school.

"I just love the (Carol Stream) District 93 schools and think they do great work," she said. "It's a way to know what's going on in the schools."

Although Bryers also works part-time, she said jumping into the PTA was easy.

She also helps with her church and has been involved with events such as the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

"I know how much so many other people in town do," Bryers said. "You just help out where you can."

Kent Dixon, Special Citizen of the Year

Through the Poplar Creek Church and its Bible study, Kent Dixon became part of Kids Against Hunger, which provides food to local and national pantries.

Dixon helps with everything from fundraising to organizing and gathering food to send to places such as Nicaragua.

"We're the first Illinois satellite," Dixon said.

He said he was attracted to the group because it was kids and families providing relief.

Dixon also has been involved with Boy Scout Troop 191 and Western Trails School.

"I followed my kids and my church into things they're involved in and try to help," he said.

Marty Crowley, Judges Recognition

Known as "Grandma Crowley," the former kindergarten teacher who lives in Warrenville gives her time at Jay Stream School.

"I've worked with the fifth-and sixth-graders since 1994 when I retired from teaching," Marty Crowley said.

Her son was a teacher at the school and needed some help with administrative tasks. After he left for a job in the district's central office, Crowley continued to volunteer at the school.

She works in Lucy Bednar's classroom, where she helps with small groups of kids.

"The children are wonderful," Crowley said.

Bednar, who nominated Crowley, wrote that "she touched the hearts and minds of all the students, including students with behavior issues."

The Citizen of the Year award also included nominations for Pam Camposeo, Michele Savino, Pam Falco, Debbie Greninger, Tracy Locanto, Ron Mason, William Makofski and Ray Cosentino.

Nominations for the special award included Patty Glade, Alice Markham and Steve O'Boyle.