The DuPage Community Foundation Celebrates Volunteers
From board and committee members, to writers and editors to office workers and helping hands at a mobile food pantry, some of the most critical team members of The DuPage Community Foundation are its volunteers. "We absolutely could not do business without them," said Foundation President David McGowan. "They are a significant part of who we are, and I am grateful for their contributions to the success of the Foundation."
The Foundation's volunteer pool is more than 100 strong and grows every day. The following are profiles of some of our volunteers, who have also shared why The DuPage Community Foundation is their charity of choice to benefit from their service hours.
Phil Cabrera
"I became connected to The DuPage Community Foundation more than five years ago and it makes me feel good," said Phil Cabrera, international treasurer for McDonald's Corporation and
one of the Foundation's board members. Cabrera spends a portion of his free time in this volunteer position because it's important to him to have a connection to his community. Cabrera, who now lives in Naperville, came to the United States from Cuba when he was 10.
"I've traveled a great deal in my life, personally and for business. I like the Midwest and DuPage County. There aren't a lot of places in the U.S. like it. It's a great place to raise a family and to be involved in your community. I believe in the work that the Foundation is doing here. I respect it and I'm glad to be a part of it," Cabrera added.
Mary Leah Prazak
"When you're used to working and you retire, you have time on your hands," said Mary Leah Prazak, office volunteer at The DuPage Community Foundation.
Prazak believes in the mission of the Foundation and has been volunteering every Tuesday morning since 2012. She also volunteers at the People's Resource Center and Beebe Elementary School in Naperville, where she worked for 23 years. She and her husband, Don McGowan, live in Lisle.
"I've always wanted to volunteer. I know it's what everybody says but it's true. I want to give back to my community. Volunteering helps keep me busy and involved. I love it," Prazak said.
Sally Winger
Sally Winger is a recent addition to the Foundation's "Bright & Early DuPage" initiative committee but she has also been coming into the office to volunteer with other projects.
"I saw an article in the newspaper about 'Bright & Early DuPage' and I was interested immediately. Because of my background, I thought I should be an advocate for the young children of DuPage County," said Winger. A retired elementary school teacher, Winger also volunteers at her son's school. She and her two children live in Lombard.
Ted Utchen
Ted Utchen volunteers whenever the Foundation's newsletter or annual report is ready for proofreading. A retired attorney, Utchen is an advocate for "the reader" and helps Foundation staff deliver better messages to its target audiences by reading Foundation information with a curious eye. Utchen is a resident of Wheaton.
"Celebrate Service" is the theme of the 2014 National Volunteer Week. The DuPage Community Foundation salutes and celebrates its volunteers April 6-12, 2014, during the national week, and during the other 51 weeks of the year as well. We thank them for their invaluable dedication and service.
About The DuPage Community Foundation:
The DuPage Community Foundation seeks to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County by fostering philanthropy, connecting donors to area needs and building community partnerships. Based on the American virtues of volunteerism and philanthropy, the Foundation fosters a legacy of support for the people of DuPage County by making grants to not-for-profit organizations working in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. Since its inception, the Foundation has built its endowment to more than $50 million and
awarded more than $17 million in grants to not-for-profit agencies serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond.
Established in 1986, The DuPage Community Foundation is a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) organization to which contributions are tax deductible. It was created to benefit the people of DuPage County and receives contributions and bequests into a permanent endowment from individuals, corporations, organizations and foundations wishing to make lasting contributions to the people of DuPage. The earnings on these funds are then used, in accordance with donor wishes, for the Foundation's grantmaking and community leadership activities.
For more information about the Foundation, or to arrange future media opportunities, please contact Joelyn Kott, marketing & communications officer, at (630) 665-5556, extension 19, or jkott@dcfdn.org.