Oak Trace Senior Living in Downers Grove honored with second Leaders’ Cup Award

“Oak Trace has got this prized award, and we’re not giving it back. And our family will continue to benefit from the community’s generosity,” said Dan Harrington, executive director of Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove, in February 2024.

His prophecy came true in February 2025.

Last year, Harrington boasted about his team having earned the inaugural Leaders’ Cup Award. The recognition honors the highest percentage of team members contributing to The Lifespace Foundation. Oak Trace, one of 16 Lifespace senior living communities nationwide, just received its second consecutive Leaders’ Cup Award.

“Having earned this award two times in a row is testimony to how the team at Oak Trace feels about our community,” Harrington said.

The Lifespace Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charity that was first introduced in 1992 to support the health and well-being of the residents and staff of Lifespace Communities.

The primary initiatives supported by the Lifespace Foundation are benevolent care that guarantees a home for life for the residents if they outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own, life enhancements for above-and-beyond capital and programming projects, scholarships for team members, an end-of-the-year appreciation fund for qualifying staff, and financial assistance for team members experiencing emergencies. The funds come predominantly from resident donors and team members, and money raised at Oak Trace remains within Oak Trace.

In addition to being proud in the aftermath of accepting the award, Harrington was also wet. And bald. He fulfilled a promise he made that he would shave his head and do a cannonball into Oak Trace’s pool if they earned the award again this year. He gleefully delivered on his promise.

“I’m so proud of the generosity of our team. I can’t wait to see what happens to me next year when we win again,” he said.

Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove is set on more than 40 acres of landscaped grounds featuring gardens, walking paths, ponds and abundant green space. Oak Trace has private independent living apartments, as well as assisted living, memory care, skilled care and rehabilitation. The Life Care Community offers guaranteed lifelong care with predictable costs. Oak Trace is owned by Lifespace, a not-for-profit organization with more than 45 years of experience in senior living. To learn more about Oak Trace, visit OakTraceSeniorLiving.com.