Elgin teacher named Marklund’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year
When Elgin resident Alison Smith was a teenager at Larkin High School, she took a class to learn more about students with special needs. One student in particular, who was a resident of the Little Angels Center for Exceptional Care facility in Elgin — now known as the Marklund Wasmond Center. Alison got to know Matt really well and it turned into a special friendship.
Fast forward more than a decade, and Alison, now an elementary special education teacher herself, was named Marklund’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year. In fact, her old chum Matt helped present the award using a specialized communication device at Marklund’s recent volunteer Appreciation Brunch.
“When considering this honor, we look for individuals who do more than just volunteer at Marklund,” said Melanie Toth, Marklund’s volunteer engagement specialist. “Previous winners of this volunteer of the year award actively recruit others to join in the ‘Marklund Magic.’ This year’s winner does that and more. She always answers the call to our needs at Marklund not just at our Elgin location but also at Bloomingdale and Geneva.
“She not only provides twice monthly pet therapy with her beautiful dog, Dolan, she volunteers for activities, holiday decorating, baseball games, and has made volunteering a family gathering, incorporating her church and even fourth- and fifth-graders from her school’s Service Club, which she co-leads,” Toth said. “This spring, she invited Marklund residents from Geneva and Elgin to participate in an ‘Egg-stra-ordinary Easter Egg Hunt’ organized by herself and her church for individuals with disabilities. I could go on and on about this selfless volunteer and what she means to Marklund.”
“I am so honored to accept this today, especially with Matt being here,” Alison said. “He was the one who first introduced me to Marklund, and the ‘Marklund Magic’ we all experience when we’re there.”
In accepting her award, Alison noticed that her dog Dolan received a special “Volunteer of the Year” bandanna. “I truly appreciate all the staff does and being able to share the love and joy I have for him with my friends at Marklund.”
Marklund is a nonprofit organization with locations in Elgin, Geneva and Bloomingdale that serves children and adults with severe and profound disabilities. To learn more about volunteering, visit www.marklund.org/volunteer.
2024 Special Honors
• Event Volunteers — Ana Armbruster and Abbie Winfrey
• Resident’s Choice — Barb Harper
• Volunteer Group of the Year — Glenbard West High School boys wrestling team
Top Volunteer Hours Served:
• Ami Dalwadi — 96 hours at Marklund Wasmond Center, Elgin
• Tom Hahn — 130 hours at Marklund Philip Center, Bloomingdale
• Reese Peck — 155 hours at Marklund Hyde Center, Geneva
Most Hours Served by a Volunteer in 2024
• Evan Clark — 577 hours at Marklund Hyde Center’s Community Day Services Program, Geneva