Upon retirement, businessman celebrated for a life of giving
Longtime Arlington Heights businessman, philanthropist and community volunteer Mike Silverman was celebrated last week as he officially retired from the bank he founded.
The evening was something of a "This Is Your Life" episode for Silverman, as friends, family and associates recounted his involvement in the community going back to helping run his father's dry-cleaning business in the 1950s.
Also highlighted were his many years of service on the village plan commission and in other municipal endeavors, his award-winning efforts as a Rotarian and, of course, his founding of First Northwest Bank in the 1990s, which later became Village Bank and Trust.
And new honors were added, with Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder reading a proclamation in Silverman's honor and Roosevelt University officials on hand to announce that a scholarship has been established in Silverman's name. He was not only a graduate of the university but helped to set up its northwest suburban campus, now based in Schaumburg.
Silverman's latest philanthropic interest has been in the area of heart transplantation, and he and wife Masha are hosting a fundraiser on Oct. 24 at Tuscan Market in Arlington Heights as part of that effort.
That effort is personal to Silverman, who was himself the recipient of a heart transplant in December 2007. Fittingly, he also won a Hearts of Gold award, an Arlington Heights honor for giving, earlier that year.
<p class="factboxheadblack">'Heart to Heart' fundraiser</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Mike and Masha Silverman's 2nd annual Heart to Heart Fundraiser, supporting cardiac transplantation research at the University of Chicago. Features wine-tasting, appetizers, silent auction.</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Tuscan Market & Wine Shop, 141 W. Wing St., Arlington Heights.</p> <p class="News"><b>When: </b>6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; RSVP by Friday, Oct. 16.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $25.</p> <p class="News"><b>Info, RSVP or to donate without attending:</b> <a href="mailto:mashasilverman@comcast.net">mashasilverman@comcast.net</a>.</p>