Hearts of gold: From teaching music lessons to planting gardens, Arlington Heights neighbors give back
Ten individuals — and dozens of others on a longstanding summer festival volunteer committee — are among those with the biggest hearts in the Village of Good Neighbors.
Arlington Heights’ special events commission honored the 2026 Hearts of Gold recipients during a banquet luncheon Feb. 22 at Rolling Green Country Club.
It’s the 28th year for the annual awards that recognize those who make a positive impact on the village.
Here are this year’s winners in 11 award categories, chosen by members of the volunteer commission through nominations submitted by community members:
Mentor — Chris Lavidas
Lavidas is owner of Breaking Grounds in Music, a music school that serves students from early childhood through senior adulthood. Having started teaching drum lessons out of his parents’ basement in 2003, Lavidas has mentored many young people, several of whom have gone on to notable musical careers. He also designs interactive music programs for people in memory care, assisted living and senior centers.
Best Neighbor — Mike Relaz
Relaz, a Vietnam veteran and carpenter, gives freely of his time and talents to countless civic and charitable projects, including work with the Arlington Heights Garden Club and WINGS. His projects have included making rain barrels, birdhouses and gardens at schools, museums, veterans’ posts and homes for individuals with disabilities.
Educator — Lisa Smorczewski
Smorczewski, a teacher at Westgate Elementary School, believes education extends far beyond the classroom walls, so it’s no surprise to see her regularly attend students’ sporting events, piano recitals, dance performances and other special occasions. After her students advance to the next grade, Smorczewski makes a point to stay connected by hosting special lunches. She started the getting-to-know-you effort five years ago, when she looked for ways to strengthen bonds and in-person interactions as the school community emerged from the pandemic.
Young at Heart — Sharon Adams
Adams is the longest-serving member of the village’s senior citizens commission, helping to guide the volunteer panel through many changes affecting older adults and providing historical perspective as the village advances its Age-Friendly Arlington Heights initiative. A steady voice who has helped shape goals centered on aging well, inclusion and accessibility, Adams was also co-chair of the Frontier Days festival and played a pivotal role in the foundation of Lake Arlington.
Heroic — Molly Wolfe
Wolfe has served in a number of volunteer roles, starting when her kids were in school as Girl Scout leader, classroom parent, auction chairperson and school board member at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish. She also led food supply drives for the homeless at PADS, and is involved in Little Sisters of the Poor. And after bringing Eucharist to a homebound woman, Wolfe became a friend who has assisted with finding housing, completing Medicaid paperwork and arranging for full-time care, among other needs.
Young Champion — Shane Smith
Smith, a junior at Saint Viator High School, contributes more than 100 volunteer hours annually as an Eagle Scout, track and field coach and leader of altar servers at Saint James Parish. He also led a project to handcraft 14 wooden music stands for the school jazz band. At Viator, Smith performs in band and jazz band; is on the football, wrestling and track and field teams; and founded the Mahjong and culinary clubs that have become hubs of cultural exchange and friendship.
Volunteer — Kurt Winter
Winter is a longtime OMNI board member and past president who has helped the organization through funding shifts, the pandemic and surging mental health needs. He led strategic transformations of rebranding, digital modernization and resource development for the nonprofit that provides counseling to children, teens and families. Winter is also a youth basketball, baseball, softball and soccer coach, and member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the University of Illinois College of Media, where he helps link students’ classroom learning with real-world experience.
Community Spirit — Wyatt Nelson
Nelson launched Wyatt’s Dog Company during the pandemic, creating his own special recipe of handmade, all-natural, gluten-free, human-grade dog treats. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a mission to empower others with special needs and pay it, forward with proceeds benefiting local charities. Those include The Buddy Foundation and the Animal-Assisted Therapy Program at Northwest Community Hospital, where Nelson is a grateful patient. He is also a volunteer for the American Legion, Habitat for Humanity, Northwest Suburban Special Recreation Association and WINGS.
Business Leader — Mike Driskell
Driskell is executive director of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. He was instrumental in the creation of the Makerplace, which is located in the original library building on Belmont Avenue. The branch location features 3D printers, a variety of tools for wood burning, glass etching, embroidery and more, and even boasts a professional kitchen and sewing machines. Driskell — who worked his way up from IT department to director of administration and then executive director in 2018 — leans on his background in engineering to build the library’s floats for the annual Fourth of July parade. A former president and current member of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, Driskell is incoming president of the Rotary Club.
Kenneth M. Bonder Beautification — Sandra Vliet
Vliet is a volunteer with the Soil-Mates after-school garden club at Thomas Middle School, where raised beds have been built, gardens of flowers and vegetables planted, and student enthusiasm is in full bloom. She teaches concepts such as environmental preservation, pollinators, native diverse flowers, sustainability, the danger of invasive plants and the need for clean water. Vliet earned Master Gardener certification through the University of Illinois Extension program, having completed more than 300 hours of volunteering at Thomas.
Pam Stocking Community Service — Frontier Days Inc. Festival Committee
The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that runs the five-day Fourth of July weekend festival that fills Recreation Park was founded 50 years ago at the nation’s 1976 bicentennial. What began with a modest stage, carnival and handful of activities has evolved into a full-scale event featuring free entertainment on three stages, 13 food booths, races, water fights, arts and crafts, a large carnival and a wide range of family-friendly activities for all ages.