A hero's effort is never forgotten

It was a fundraising auction and brunch that Marty Jordan was helping organize for a school he attended as a young boy, but it turned out to include a memorial for the act of courage that took his life last summer.

The sad news about Jordan, a 45-year-old St. Charles resident, drowning on Aug. 1 in South Haven, Mich., while attempting to save family members swimming in rough waters made headlines throughout the region.

When St. Angela Elementary School on Chicago's West Side honored Jordan last month in front of nearly 500 attendees at the fundraiser at Drury Lane in Oak Brook, it was worthy recognition for his heroic effort.

"The giving of an award, of course, was not part of the original planning for the event," said Marty's brother, David Jordan. "It was an emotional day and the event was really successful, I think, basically because Marty died. It was an overflow crowd and they would have had more people there if there was more space."

Marty Jordan became the first recipient of the Angelus Award trophy for someone who exemplified "gospel values and Christian principles" in the St. Angela tradition.

The most emotional aspect for the family was when Marty's wife, Maureen, who is expecting their fourth child, accepted the award.

"It was difficult for her, but other family members went to the podium with her, and she did great in delivering her message of appreciation," David said.

"Everyone involved with the event was so impressed with Marty's enthusiasm and knowledge about holding benefits, he was likely to be involved with many others for his school," David said about his brother, who was a social worker and fundraiser.

Just bring it back: Wool and Company on Third Street in Geneva spins a few yarns in its newsletter to clients and prospects. One story explained how a cashmere yarn kit bag, worth nearly $100, was stolen from the store.

While explaining that shoplifting can seriously hurt a small business like Wool and Company, staffers were asking that whoever "sneakily" nabbed the kit, to please "sneakily" return it, with no questions asked.

And then they tossed in a little humor, saying they hoped the thief actually wasn't reading the newsletter, because that would mean a client was stealing from the store.

But in case the kit is never returned, Wool and Company was going for a hex, with this warning for the thief: "That your yarn tangles, that you develop an allergy to wool and cashmere, that you get huge pimples every time you wear the scarf, and that if you decide to give it to someone else as a gift, the person you give it to HAS read this and asks you all kinds of awkward questions."

Oh, for shame: Why did TriCity Family Services Executive Director Jim Otepka lower his head in shame last weekend at the agency's Trivia Night fundraiser?

Because he couldn't believe he missed what was possibly the easiest question of the night for him.

A photo of a plaque was shown, displaying only the date of Nov. 14, 1993. Participants were asked where this plaque was located in the Tri-Cities. My team guessed it was the new courthouse on Peck Road, thinking maybe that was the dedication date.

Not many in the room answered correctly.

It was the dedication date of the TriCity Family Services building on Kaneville Court in Geneva, and the plaque is something all employees there walk by each day.

So, it was something for Jim to take note of for the future.

The joy of giving: There's nothing quite like teaching children at a young age the reward and benefits of being generous to those in need.

Children in the Hosanna! Lutheran Church Preschool in St. Charles will experience the joy of such giving Monday and Tuesday when they take their canned food donations to the church's Community Care Center pantry.

The pantry offers a grocery bag of goods every 15 days to those in need. Those receiving the food need only sign a form and show a photo ID in the church office during each visit.

"This is a wonderful event that teaches the Hosanna! Preschool children how they can help serve their community," said Jennifer Shields, publicist for the preschool board of directors.

And more sharing: If you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish you'd like to share with those who are homeless or alone for the holiday, contact Lazarus House at (630) 587-2144.

The staff is preparing to host its annual Thanksgiving Feast from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at the Joe K. Anderson Tri-Cities Salvation Army Center, 1710 S. 7th Ave. in St. Charles.

Food should arrive between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. in a disposable container and be ready to serve. Anything from cooked turkey to potatoes or vegetables is welcome.

Lazarus House Executive Director Darlene Marcusson said this free holiday meal, open to all in the community, has become a popular, ongoing tradition for staff, guests and the many supporters of the shelter at 214 Walnut St.

dheun@sbcglobal.net