Park Ridge resident Mary Lusignan named Center of Concern Volunteer of the Year

The Center of Concern, a Park Ridge not-for-profit known for its work with the elderly, named Park Ridge resident Mary Lusignan as its Dee Heinrich Volunteer of the Year at its annual meeting at the Park Ridge Senior Center on May 3.

Center executive director John McNabola said that Lusignan, a volunteer since 1999, plays "a pivotal role" at The Center by managing a computer database that tracks services rendered to clients. "Mary's computer savvy, positive can-do attitude, and willingness to help" also led to Lusignan working on grant writing, fund raising appeals, and other projects, McNabola said.

Lusignan is retired from Baird & Warner. She is an active member of the Park Ridge Twentieth Century Club, which has a long history of donating baked goods and other gifts to Center clients at Thanksgiving and other holidays. The Twentieth Century Club of Park Ridge was named The Center of Concern's 2011 Community Partner in December.

The Center's Volunteer of the Year award is named after Dee Heinrich, who founded The Center in 1978. The Center of Concern offers services for seniors, housing solutions, and counseling for individuals and families. The Center also provides friendly visitors for the homebound and other volunteer opportunities in the office and in the field. The Center's web site is www.centerofconcern.org. Its phone number is 847-823-0453.