Fremd volunteer takes active parenting to new levels

It's not easy to get Tim Maher to talk about his volunteering. That's because the Palatine resident doesn't do it for the glory.

"He shies away from recognition of any kind, and that's why I think it would be so neat to feature him in your article," said Marina Scott, who nominated Maher for Volunteer of the Week. "I spoke with my administrative team and we all thought immediately of the same volunteer."

As the school bell rings in another year, Scott, who is the principal at Palatine's Fremd High School, has seen Maher in action in countless ways around the school. His volunteer history with Fremd began back in 2002, when he helped with a pompom sectional tournament.

He was later asked to become a board member for the Fremd Booster Club.

"He is here at Fremd constantly to respond to all the last-minute questions and problems as they arise," Scott said. "In the process of doing his job, he is always the first to step forward to help others with their jobs."

Maher said he believes in volunteering as a way to stay active in a child's education.

"We need to a part of their lives and be there for them," he said.

Maher has been "there for them," meaning his three children and the other kids at school, from the start of their educational careers. First, he helped with the Kindergym exercise program at Hunting Ridge School in Palatine.

"I was the only man, and I think the kids appreciated having a dad around," Maher said. "They got a kick seeing that."

Also at Hunting Ridge, Maher helped out with computer class and reading programs. Of course, he was always on hand for the school picnic and here-and-there events.

"I was around the school so I could relate better to my kids and not get the one-word replies when you inquire how school was," Maher said. "I could say I saw so-and-so, or whatever, and it would open up a field of communication that might not have been there otherwise."

As his children grew, Maher's volunteering followed. At Fremd, he has been a part of the $125,000 the booster club raises for the school. He has worked the post-prom event and chaired the membership committee, purchasing committee and the chain gang (marking football downs) committee. He has also overseen the concessions committee, which operates at most school functions.

"Last year, he ran and organized the concession stand for the boosters," Scott said. "This is a huge job and requires the coordination of a lot of schedules and multiple contacts with other volunteers. People have done it in the past but I don't think anyone has done it quite like Tim. He goes above and beyond in so many ways."

Maher's entire family, including his wife, Cindi, daughters, Stephanie and Caitlin, and son, Matthew, have all volunteered with him. Stephanie and Caitlin volunteer at Indiana Wesleyan, where they attend college. Matthew is part of a worship team and also volunteers at his church.

"I think the old African saying, 'It takes a village to raise a child,' is correct," Maher said. "You don't want to look back and wish you spent more time with your kids. No one ever says, 'I spent too much time with my kids.'

"I know I will never be sorry that I didn't spend enough time with them."

Of course, school doesn't corner the market on Maher's volunteering. The maintenance mechanic also belongs to CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). He has also helped at Relay For Life. Additionally, he works a soup kitchen in Chicago and is part of the building maintenance team at Willow Creek Community Church.

"There are not too many people around Fremd who haven't come across Tim and mention what a hardworking and selfless volunteer he is," Scott said. "He is one of those people that everyone wants in their organization because he is truly a worker-bee."

Maher said he volunteers to serve God. He said, "Our pastor says, 'Get off the sidelines and into the game.' I like to live by that."