Glenbard West wrestling team named Marklund’s Volunteer Group of the Year
The Glenbard West High School Wresting Team was recently named Marklund’s 2024 Volunteer Group of the Year.
Held at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago, the event celebrated those who volunteer at any of Marklund’s residential or school locations in Bloomingdale, Elgin and Geneva.
“This special gathering is our way of saying thank you — from the bottom of our hearts — for the incredible generosity, time and compassion you bring to Marklund,” said Nikki Osterloh, manager of volunteer engagement. “Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission, and the impact you make reaches far beyond the hours you give.”
In presenting the Volunteer Group of the Year award, Melanie Toth, Marklund’s volunteer engagement specialist, noted: “Teamwork means working together with others to reach a common goal. It’s about helping each other, sharing ideas, and using everyone’s strengths to succeed. The 2024 Volunteer Group of the Year not only help each other in their sport, but came together several times to work with the staff and residents of the Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale. They served as course marshals during Marklund’s 5K event, decorated the interior of the building for the winter holidays, worked on crafts with the residents, and even came back to open holiday gifts with the residents.
“To our surprise, even having our Community Gift Opening Day on Christmas Eve didn’t deter this group from showing up to partner with residents once again,” noted Toth. “It’s a joy to celebrate the kind of teamwork that transforms ambition into impact and an honor to name the Glenbard West Boys Wrestling Team, and their coaches — who encourage teamwork on and off the mat — as our 2024 Volunteer Group of the Year!”
The team members and coaches who attended the event were surprised by the announcement and happily held up a large banner given to them announcing their win, which they intended to hang at their school.
“I’m so proud of these young men for always stepping up when we’ve asked to volunteer at Marklund,” said coach Pat McCluskey. “It is an opportunity to give back to the community, and gives them a chance to realize that not everyone can do what they do without some support from others. We look forward to continuing to volunteer at Marklund in the future.”
Marklund is a nonprofit organization with locations in Elgin, Bloomingdale and Geneva, that provides residential, educational and day services to children and adults with profound developmental disabilities, and those on the Autism spectrum. To learn more about volunteering, visit www.marklund.org/volunteer.