Heart of Gold award winners from Arlington Heights

You might think Kaileen McGourty, a senior at Hersey High School, is young to have done so much service that she earned a Heart of Gold award from Arlington Heights. But Kaileen told the more than 300 assembled Saturday at the annual dinner that her volunteer career and inspiration started when she was 5.

She was helping hand out food at an inner city church, and the faces of the needy people scared her.

"Then I saw the girl. The little girl I still think of when I need encouragement to keep helping."

This girl was about the same age as Kaileen, she was dirty and looked like she hadn't slept. But the youngster who went on to win the Young Champion award realized immediately that this child, so much like her, did not deserve this plight.

Many of those receiving Heart of Gold awards have dedicated themselves to helping children Kaileen's age or younger.

Marilyn Breiding retired in 2002 from teaching English as a Second Language at Rolling Meadows High School, and now that same job is one of the projects she does as a volunteer.

The winner of the Young at Heart award has great empathy for how difficult it is for anyone of high school age to leave home, friends and country.

"It's nice to be able to help them see that it's wonderful learning another language. They will be bilingual, and there will be opportunities for them. I like to see them make friends here and learn there are more possibilities."

William Reinhard captured the Heroic award, at least partially for cooking breakfast and lunch for a program that feeds area homeless people at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church.

But Reinhard and his wife, Sandy, also provided foster care over 11 years for 22 infants awaiting adoption. They adopted the last four foster children and are now parenting the four teens.

Here are the other Hearts of Gold winners:

Mark Gunther, Mentor; Christopher Gluth, Kenneth M. Bonder Beautification; Cathie Windheim Schwarz, Educator; Amy Philpott, Tuscan Market, business leader: Craig Ameel, Pam Stocking Community Service; Mike and Marybeth Schoenwald, Best Neighbor; Nancy and Pat Moroney, Volunteer; Escorted Transportation Service/Northwest, City of Good Neighbors.