Good Citizens honored in Wheaton
Eleven people and one elementary school program are being held up as examples of good citizenship in Wheaton.
They all were presented Monday with the 2010 Good Citizen Award from Wheaton's Community Relations Commission during the city council meeting.
"We received dozens of letters from people within the community that wanted to nominate someone they felt would be representative of a good citizen for our city," said Renee Webb, the commission chairwoman. "We take our job very seriously in making our selections."
The Good Citizens are recognized for racking up volunteer hours and accomplishing good deeds. This year, the award was presented to recipients in four categories: student, adult, senior and group.
The recipients in the student category are:
• Melissa Fortes, a Glenbard South High School student who tutors underprivileged children at Lincoln Elementary School and leads a peer support program.
• Melanie Milling, a Wheaton Warrenville South High School student who teaches tennis to young children, tutors middle schoolers and does other volunteer work.
• Megan Wilt, a student at Wheaton Warrenville South who has volunteered for eight years at the DuPage County Convalescent Center and has raised money for Cosley Zoo.
The individuals recognized in the adult category are:
• Marilyn Berthel for helping a new neighbor who was sick with the flu. She also is a classroom and library volunteer at Longfellow Elementary School in Wheaton and co-hosts an annual block party.
• Jeff and Christine McGhee for helping a family in need. The assistance included making car repairs, offering early morning day care, doing yard work and providing "general support through very difficult times."
• Steve and Michelle Scholl for removing snow from the driveway of a neighbor suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Meanwhile, in the senior category:
• Jane Elliot Hawthorne was recognized for her work as director of the Repeat Boutique in Wheaton.
• Don Immekus was recognized for his contributions to Wheaton Park District's youth soccer program.
• Joan Reuss was recognized for her volunteer work with Adams Park and the Wheaton Public Library.
Finally, the "Power Paws" program at Wiesbrook Elementary School received recognition for teaching children what it means to give back to the community. Students in the program packed lunches for DuPage PADS, made cards and calenders for homeless veterans and did additional projects to help others.
"These are the Good Citizens in training," Webb said. "I expect to see them up here in front of our podium in another 20 years."