Arlington Hts honors 2011 Hearts of Gold winners

The Special Events Commission is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Hearts of Gold awards, who will be honored in a community celebration at the Hearts of Gold Awards Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at European Crystal Banquet & Conference Center, 519 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights.

This awards program recognizes individuals who work or live in our community and enrich the quality of life in Arlington Heights through their generous contributions and acts of kindness. One of the goals of this program is to acknowledge individuals who typically do not receive community-wide recognition for their outstanding efforts.

Invitations are being mailed to the honorees, the people who nominated them and people who have attended previous Hearts of Gold award banquets. Everyone is welcome to attend this community celebration which recognizes the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people. The cost of reservations is $50. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail nkluz@vah.com or call (847) 368-5104.

The 2010 Hearts of Gold winners include:

Mentor – Andy Anderson, a volunteer coach of the South Middle School Science Olympiad Team

Best Neighbor – Larry and Diana Koss

Educator – Genie Beck, Windsor Elementary School

Young at Heart – Javier Elias

Young Champion – Annalisa Baratta

Volunteer – Patricia Peery

City of Good Neighbors – Frank Appleby of The Peoples' Bank

Business Leader – Mark Rouse of Runners' Hi n Tri

Kenneth M. Bonder Beautification Heart of Gold – Javier's Sabor Mexicano Restaurant

Pam Stocking Heart of Gold – Laura Merchut

Below are brief bios on these wonderful people who have contributed to the quality of life in Arlington Heights.

Mentor Heart of Gold – Andy Anderson

Andy Anderson told his fourth-grade teacher, “I'm not stupid; I'm just not educated yet.” Those youthful insights are part of the soul of the Mentor Hearts of Gold Award recipient, who volunteers for South Middle School's Science Olympiad.

Andy loves being part of something “special.” At rapid fire, he can recite unequaled team statistics: first or second in state competitions 24 out of the past 25 years; top 10 national ranking for the past 15 years; top three national ranking for pure middle schools for the past 10 years; No. 1 mechanical team ranking for the past 10 years (comprised primarily of all-girl teams that achieved No.1 national ranking and earned four gold medals).

Andy attributes this success to teachers and volunteers who let children strive for success beyond their imaginations. Yet, he is reluctant to talk about his own involvement. For 16 years, he has spent 200-300 hours of personal, unpaid time each year to help assemble mechanical gizmos and gadgets that will be scored and rated by national judges. He will challenge you to name any professional or amateur team that has achieved as much as the South Middle School Science Olympiad teams.

One might presume that Andy is a local parent helping his children and neighbors. However, he lives and works in Palatine and does not have any children of his own. “These are the kids I never had,” he says.

Best Neighbor Heart of Gold – Diana and Larry Koss

Since coming to Arlington Heights in 1977, Larry and Diana Koss have enjoyed the small town atmosphere with big city amenities. And for them, a natural part of that is reaching out to their neighbors and the community in general. Larry's 38-year career with the First National Bank of Chicago and Diana's years of service at AT&T haven't kept them from being involved in numerous neighborhood events.

For many years, Diana organized the Ivy Hill neighborhood garage sale and has been a Frontier Days Festival “Redshirt” volunteer. She also got Larry involved in the festival. They have attended the Citizen Police Academy and volunteer as-called at events such as the Santa Run. Each month they donate food to the Wheeling Township Food Drive. Once a week, they deliver Meals on Wheels, which they find particularly rewarding.

Diana is now on the board of directors at their condominium complex, the Fountains of Arlington, where they have made many friends. Here their neighbors have appreciated the Koss' help as they provide rides to doctor appointments and the pharmacy, pick up extra groceries while shopping, and provide meals when others are ill.

Educator Heart of Gold – Genie Beck

Exceptional educators not only make an immediate impact on their students but also leave a lifelong impression. Genie Beck has been creating impressions for the last 15 years in District 25 through her time, expertise and passion. Over that time, she has served as substitute teacher, literacy assistant, and now as the literacy teacher at Windsor School. She has a calling to help struggling readers find the best methods and resources to match their needs and turn the reading experience from frustrating to joyful.

Genie has lived in Arlington Heights for 27 years where her daughter, Julie, attended District 25 schools. During her time volunteering and substitute teaching, her passion for reaching out to students in need was reinforced and invigorated. She continued to stay connected to the schools and grow professionally.

She now makes lifelong connections with her own students and their parents. Through literacy interventions, parent information nights, a summer reading camp and celebrating her students, Genie not only reaches out to struggling readers but empowers them for their future.

She feels blessed to work with her colleagues at District 25 and Windsor School. She recognizes she has tremendous support from her family including her husband Fred and her parents, Bob and Lillian Sorensen. She is humble and soft-spoken yet her actions and commitment to students speak volumes about her passion and heart.

“Young at Heart” Heart of Gold – Javier Elias

Javier Elias' journey to being named the recipient of this year's “Young at Heart” Heart of Gold Award is both remarkable and inspirational. Born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Javier originally came to the U.S. at the age of 5 months then returned to his homeland seven years later during the Great Depression. He emigrated a second time at age 20 to Chicago, finding work sweeping a warehouse, then at a steel mill where wages were better. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and after basic training was shipped to Japan, where he served with the occupation troops. Returning to Chicago, he applied for citizenship, which was granted five years later.

After he retired in 1993, he went to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library to volunteer. He was accepted and was assigned to the AHML Bookmobile Program at Arlington Park Racetrack to translate for the Hispanic workers. His supervisor, ESL Director Katalin Zsupan then assigned Javier to serve as a tutor teaching English as a Second Language to fellow Hispanics in the well known program.

He and his wife of 57 years, Joan Frances (May) have lived in Arlington Heights since 1967 where they raised six children. To Javier, the eight hours he spends teaching at the library each week make retirement more enjoyable and rewarding. And isn't that what being "Young at Heart" truly means!

Young Champion Heart of Gold – Annalisa Baratta

For such a young person, Anna has participated in a wide variety of projects spanning many different themes. Also, she has traveled to other countries to expand the influence of her volunteer efforts.

Anna's volunteer efforts started while attending Thomas Middle School. She organized a project that collected used movie videos from all District 25 schools and then donated them to Northwest Community Hospital. Anna's idea was to use the “recycled” videos in the pediatric unit, but the hospital decided to take it one step further. NCH expanded the program and uses the videos throughout the hospital, their clinics and community centers.

From there, Anna's efforts never stopped. During her high school career, she has been involved in Hersey's Service Over Self (S.O.S.) club by helping on the Love Bus, working with children with special needs and helping with the annual food drive. Anna's work continued in the summer at Camp SOAR in Algonquin. There, she volunteered time and love for a 19-year-old autistic girl who had Downs syndrome.

As a dancer, she has performed at benefit concerts for the Aids Foundation, Misericordia and others with the Arlington Dance Ensemble. Anna has done all of this while maintaining a fourth place class rank at JHHS.

This is just a small sample of all that Anna has accomplished in her short life, which makes her worthy of the Young Champion Heart of Gold. I think you'll agree she really is a Young Champion.

Volunteer Heart of Gold – Pat Peery

Pat Peery's spirit of volunteerism has enriched the quality of life in Arlington Heights for over 30 years. With a positive attitude, patience and a smile, she has dedicated time to many organizations and activities. Most notably, Pat has been very involved in the Frontier Days Inc. organization, which is the volunteer group that organizes the annual Fourth of July festival and parade since 1976. With that organization she has served as a Frontier Days Festival co-chairman, president, secretary, director, food coordinator, sponsor coordinator, marketing coordinator and general volunteer.

Her positive outlook and can-do attitude makes her a valuable asset to any organization. She is one of those “go-to” people whose talents and willingness to volunteer is inspiring to everyone who works with her. She is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure success in the programs and activities she assists.

Besides her work with the Festival organization, Pat has been involved in the Arlington Heights Park District Foundation and in numerous PTA groups at her children's schools. At John Hersey High School, where she is employed, she regularly spends many extra hours helping Booster groups be successful.

The organizations that Pat has contributed to are better for having her on their team. Her dedicated efforts and countless contributions have positively impacted the lives of many who live and work in Arlington Heights.

“City of Good Neighbors” Heart of Gold – Frank Appleby, Peoples' Bank

Frank Appleby works tirelessly as a community volunteer, business leader and adviser. As a community volunteer, his financial acumen was pivotal in turning Metropolis into a flourishing theatre center that has helped downtown Arlington Heights thrive. He also served on the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as a director for the Downtown Business Association, and is currently a director on the Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation Board.

As president of Peoples' Bank, Frank has cultivated a true community bank. His folksy “Mississippi” manner belies a keen business sense. Through his generosity, the bank has made financial commitments to Mane Event, Autumn Harvest, Sounds of Summer, Frontier Days, Dollars for Scholars, National Family Night Out and Buzz. Peoples' Bank's most unique project was the two-pronged veterans' project: Traveling Bank, a reprise of an Arlington Heights WWII initiative, and a book of WWII accounts retold by area vets and written by St. Viator High School students.

As an adviser, Frank's door and phone line are always open. His business and community activities put him in a position to connect people and organizations, whether reviewing a resumé, writing a recommendation, giving business advice or acting as a sounding board. These are just a few reasons why Frank Appleby has been selected as this year's “City of Good Neighbors” Heart of Gold award winner!

Business Leader Heart of Gold – Mark Rouse, Runners Hi ‘n Tri

Mark Rouse and his staff at Runners High ‘n Tri are service oriented. In fact, whether you're looking to get the right fit for your running shoes, get training advice, or solve a running problem, this is THE place to go. In fact, their customer service has elevated them to one of the premier running stores in the country.

But their service isn't limited to running a retail store. Indeed, Mark is a business leader who actively supports Arlington Heights – raising funds for community causes by sponsoring races for running enthusiasts (Examples: the Salute 5K and 10K, Santa and Frontier Days runs), organizing weekly fun runs, and hosting educational events that feature professional athletes.

Mark is most proud of the role he and his staff have in helping customers meet personal goals. Some come in looking for training tips, while others want to lose weight, run a 5K, or train for a triathlon.

Runners High ‘n Tri has been part of our business community for 20 years. During that time, Mark has mentored many entrepreneurs hoping to open businesses in town. In addition, the store has become a bit of a hangout where people come to chat and meet other like-minded fitness buffs.

The Special Events Commission is proud to honor Mark Rouse as the 2011 Business Leader Heart of Gold.

Kenneth M. Bonder Beautification Heart of Gold – Javier's Sabor Mexicano & Agave Bar

Javier Villareal realized his American dream right here in Arlington Heights.

After working at the restaurant for a number of years he purchased what we had known as La Tejanita, with the goal of providing excellent food and a complete Mexican experience to the loyal clientele.

The process began with the expansion into adjacent storefront spaces. The first notable exterior change was made in the name of the restaurant to La Chicanita.

A new kitchen was added to keep up with the now increasing demand, however this did not address the segmented feel and Javier's wish to combine the common store fronts into a unified restaurant with a Mexican theme, as Javier puts it “it wasn't speaking Mexican on the outside”.

After researching many styles Javier met with local architect Jim Tinaglia, after much discussion a Mission style was ultimately selected.

The low pitched clay tile roofline, the bell tower replication, shutters, colorful window boxes maintained with seasonal flowers esthetically add to the Mission style.

A courtyard seating area was also added providing comfortable opportunity for outdoor dining.

One more change left - personalizing his dream and giving the restaurant his signature name “Javier”, the transformation was now complete!

Javier has more plans that will continue to beautify and enhance the corner. The recently expanded walkways will hopefully one day allow additional outdoor seating.

Pam Stocking Community Service Heart of Gold – Laura Merchut

Laura Merchut, the outreach program coordinator and lead teaching artist at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, is receiving the Pam Stocking Heart of Gold because of her strong commitment in helping children with special needs experience the performing arts.

Her enthusiastic work in leading the Metropolis' “Flourish in the Footlights” outreach program provides an enriching experience for children with special needs. Her innate sense of understanding what each child needs combined with her passion for the performing arts inspires confidence in her students and builds strong connections between everyone enrolled in this year-long program.

The “Flourish in the Footlights” program teaches acting, improvisation and character development. The program culminates each spring with a sold-out performance where family and friends see firsthand how the actors have grown as artists and people.

Laura is at the heart of this program's success. Her caring personality and unique skills in rhythm and dance engage the students and motivate them to do their best. Her work at Metropolis is testimony to what can be achieved when giving people the assistance they need to explore the performing arts.