Mount Prospect honors 2012 Shining Stars
Mount Prospect never seems to run out of extraordinary people, and this year's Shining Stars, who were honored Feb. 4 at the 2012 Celestial Celebration, are another incredible bunch.
The awards, given annually to residents and businesspeople who go above and beyond in the normal course of their life, are meant to exemplify the volunteer spirit of the village as a whole.
Meet the 2012 Shining Stars of Mount Prospect.
CVS Caremark, Best Business Partner AwardThrough the efforts of Holly Samme, the Employee Activities Committee of CVS Caremark has been helping the Mount Prospect Human Services Department with the Thanksgiving program since 2005.
Every year, Holly Samme coordinates the fundraising effort with CVS Caremark employees. She uses the donations from the employees to organize and shop for turkeys and other food items to complete full Thanksgiving meals. She does this for more than 100 families who otherwise would not have a Thanksgiving experience.
Her generous gift of time, along with the actual dollars it takes to make this happen, are tremendous #8212; and on top of it, she does it enthusiastically with a big heart to help others genuinely.
Samme is a great representative for CVS Caremark, a business giving to the community and leading the way for others.
Downtown Merchants Association, Hometown AwardThis organization has changed the face of downtown. Not only have they continually upped the standard for #8220;community-minded business owners,#8221; but they have repeatedly brought events downtown, attracting residents and outsiders who may not have otherwise ventured to Mount Prospect.
The hugely successful Saturday night car shows are some of the best in Illinois, and the Fall Festival/Oktoberfest can now boast record attendance and success in bringing people to the village. Their New Year's Eve Eve celebration for families was in the top two things to do for kids in Chicagoland.
They continually bring attention to the downtown and village. These hardworking business owners are outstanding volunteers who are nothing less than dynamos who know how to make things happen, and they do it for the sake of Mount Prospect.
George Elder, Open Arms Award
As the first St. Mark Lutheran Church member to volunteer on the planning committee to help children in low-income families at Holy Family School in Chicago, George has not stopped for the last 16 years. On behalf of St. Mark, he has worked tirelessly and given his whole heart to this cause #8212; event planning from beginning to end, setup, cleanup, securing auction items, promoting and inviting people, and supporting the events generously himself. He has collected Christmas gifts for these children and delivered them himself.
One day each year, the students have a field trip from the inner city to Mount Prospect, and it has become a special day anticipated all year. The students enjoy a Mount Prospect day of fun and games, crafts and lunch, all by church volunteers and all organized by George.
His idea that all children should have joy and goodness in their education and daily lives has been met with action and success. He did this all with kindness and commitment as a steward for St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Nora Gawlik and Mary Kate Dempsey, Rising Star Award
Mount Prospect's Rising Stars are our future. Nora Gawlik of John Hersey High School and Mary Kate Dempsey, Prospect High School, have both been in Girl Scouts since they were in kindergarten. They have accomplished a very rare feat #8212; not only continuing with Scouts all through school, they are graduating seniors #8212; but earning Girl Scout's highest achievement, the Gold Award.
The project they chose was creating and working a #8220;giving garden#8221; to raise and donate fresh vegetables for the local food pantry. The girls were committed to the project in every way, and organized and worked every aspect of it #8212; from talking to River Trails Park District personnel, to researching and buying plants, seeds and tools. There was a water and weeding schedule and lots of water to haul. There was certainly trial and error, for example overwatering, then learning how to correct their error.
All in all, the girls made this a priority and something that required time each and every day. Their efforts were recognized in the newspaper and acknowledged by Mount Prospect residents who didn't even know them but read about the garden and nominated them because, as one said, #8220;This is what a Shining Star is.#8221;
To these girls, who learned about life and community service by growing 650 pounds of vegetables when they planned for 100, our gratitude we give.
Mike Jensen, Youth Service Award
Mike has been a longtime volunteer with the Mount Prospect Park District baseball program. He has served on the board and coached. He has done everything from scheduling umpires to raking fields, and he organizes everything from the beginning of the season to the end.
He is out checking fields at 5 or 6 a.m. and he is always the last to leave. He handles questions and concerns from coaches and parents; he is the go-to guy for everything baseball-related. Mike is easy to be around, smiling and cheering on the kids and always has a good word.
The many, many nominations that came in for Mike mostly talked about his time with the baseball program, but he actually coaches two other sports. He does all this because he wants a full and genuine experience for the kids.
Darcy Nichols, There Ought To Be More People Like This AwardFor more than 25 years, Darcy Nichols has lived and worked at the Centennial Apartments. As resident manager, she does more than daily duties to run those buildings in a respectable and safe way. Darcy gives the residents a feeling of security and independence; she knows all residents and their families and friends who visit. She treats everyone with respect and kindness. She has the patience of a saint and greets everyone with a smile and a good word, going above and beyond what is required of her.
Residents who move in without family may seem at a loss; however, Darcy makes sure she has contact with them to ensure they have resources to make decisions and have transportation for doctor appointments and shopping. She also makes sure there are activities and plans to offer residents something to do during the day. She is the friend and caretaker and support system many need at this transitional time of their life, and she does it all unconditionally, with their best interests in her heart.
Jitrenda #8220;Jay#8221; Patel, Unsung Hero Award
Jay Patel opened his Subway at 1705 W. Algonquin Road in August 2010, one year after Community Connections Center opened. Within months of his arrival, he became a No. 1 supporter of whatever has been needed. Without hesitation, and without notice, he jumps in to provide sandwiches to staff and volunteers for major events (sometimes these are huge numbers, more than 200.)
More importantly, he is genuinely concerned about residents and wants to help provide a good experience for visitors to the center, always providing plastic bags for materials and giving out cookies. He always offers coupons and assistance, and those warm, fresh-baked cookies are always a hit.
His employees are also attendees at some of the educational offerings at the center. He is instrumental in the success of the center because he is supporting it as an employer and helping his employees while, at the same time, giving volunteer time and donations to the center attendees, staff and volunteers.
He is certainly someone who cares very much about helping others and does so because he believes it is the right thing to do.
Steve Shaffer, Champion For Youth AwardSteve Shaffer is a physical education teacher at Lions Park Elementary and a coach at Lincoln Middle School. Staff and parents appreciate this longtime teacher for his genuine insight into his students. He focuses on skill-building, teamwork and good character.
He believes in his students and shares his enthusiasm and optimism with them.
He encourages them to try, no matter what level they are at, and he teaches the importance of improving everyone on a team rather than the triumph of a few. His students and athletes both are committed to learning from him because of his authentic, caring approach.
He makes P.E. about fun and fitness for all and leaves no child behind. It is for this and so many other reasons that Steve Shaffer is this year's Champion for Youth.
William Starr, Star Spangled AwardBill Starr wants to share his patriotism with others; he is one proud American. As commander of the American Legion, he is often asked to make an appearance in uniform, and whether he does this on behalf of veterans, Legionnaires or for himself, he seems grateful to do it.
Bill is a military retiree with more than 30 years of active duty, inactive Reserve or in the active Reserve. He served in Vietnam in 1969-70 and led teams in Bosnia in 1996 and Kosovo in 1999. He retired from U.S. Army Special Operations as a lieutenant colonel in 2000.
Bill is very supportive of Mount Prospect service clubs and activities that take place in town. He walks the walk and talks the talk about our country's history and takes pride in knowing it and sharing it.
Jane and Frank Whitecotton, Good-Better-Best Neighbor AwardJane and Frank Whitecotton are a friendly, neighborly couple. They certainly are the type to help someone in their neighborhood, whether it be a car problem or shoveling snow. They are giving and caring and do things with no expectation of anything in return. They are also very helpful at church, doing neighborly things. Any project that needs a volunteer, they are happy to help.
Frank is a real handyman and has helped Trinity United Methodist Church over the years with anything that needs fixing. Together, they give considerable time and support to the Trinity Community Outreach's annual rummage sale. They help it to be successful by organizing, sorting and selling.
They truly are a couple who do neighborly things for others and they usually are doing it together #8212; which complements their special relationship. Jane needed a kidney and, of course, Frank was the donor.