Philanthropists to be honored at Glen Ellyn banquet

Folks from around DuPage County who devote their efforts to helping others will get their due at the seventh annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.

The West Suburban Philanthropic Network will celebrate their good deeds at 11 a.m. today at Abbington Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn.

"Part of our mission is to advance philanthropy in our community," said Brad Warren, co-chairman of the event. "Recognizing those people who have made a significant impact is a great way to encourage philanthropy for everyone."

Every year, the group accepts nominations of people and groups that donate their time and money to nonprofit organizations; the board then makes a selection in a number of categories.

This year, those categories include philanthropists of the year, philanthropic leadership award, humanitarian of the year, nonprofit volunteer of the year, corporate philanthropic award, nonprofit executive of the year, professional grant maker of the year and WSPN distinguished service award.

"It always amazes me how new names come up every year," Warren said. "When you think you've honored a lot of people in the community already, there's always somebody else."

For more information on the lunch, or to purchase tickets, contact Warren at (630) 858-0100.

The winners for this year are:

• Thomas and Shirley Myers, of Elmhurst, philanthropists of the year, for providing endowments funds to various organizations, such as high schools;

• Barb Hudson, of Western Springs, philanthropic leadership award, who has worked with organizations such as School District 101, Foundation for Educational Excellence and the Thomas Ford Memorial Library;

• Mayor Pete DiCianni, Elmhurst, humanitarian of the year, who spent his time in 2008 making trips to Springfield to get a bill passed that mandates insurance coverage for autistic children;

• Mary Schulte, Naperville, nonprofit volunteer of the year for DuPage PADS, who spends time at the night site and has served as a board member;

• Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Rosemont, corporate philanthropic award, members of which have given their time to Naperville Park District to rid the city's Riverwalk of invasive species;

• Mary Ellen Durbin, executive director of People's Resource Center in Wheaton, nonprofit executive of the year, who oversees the group that serves more than 22,000 low-income residents every year;

• Judy Schaefer, Sara Lee Foundation of Downers Grove, professional grant-maker of the year, who oversees grants that address causes such as hunger, nutrition, healthy lifestyles and diversity; and

• Dave McGowan, DuPage Community Foundation of Wheaton, WSPN distinguished service award, who has been part of WSPN for more than 10 years as part of succession planning, planned giving for endowment growth, fundraising as a career and our glorious differences: raising funds from diverse cultures.