Northwestern Grayslake volunteer honored by organization for seniors

Northwestern Grayslake volunteer and Grayslake resident Karen Lenzen has been honored as among the “best of the best” of local volunteers by the Lake County Council for Seniors.

The organization presented the award to 15 area seniors, ages 55 and up, at its 29th annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

After working for a credit union for 29 years, Lenzen has dedicated herself to giving back to her community and helping others. A lifelong Lake County resident, she joined the growing volunteer program at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.

Because she lives in Grayslake, she chose to do most of her volunteer hours at the hospital's Grayslake campus.

“Throughout the years, I have gone to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital for surgeries, childbirth and emergency room visits,” Lenzen said. “The hospital always has been there for me, and now I am able to be there for someone else. It's a truly wonderful feeling.”

Lenzen has worked for more than a year as a greeter at Northwestern Grayslake, providing incoming patients with directions and guidance during their visits, helping patients in and out of wheelchairs, and providing check-in services to make visits more efficient.

Interacting with patients is the most rewarding part of the job for Lenzen.

“I truly enjoy my time at Northwestern Grayslake,” she said. “Throughout my time there I have not only seen the facility grow tremendously, but I have watched the transformations as patients heal, expectant mothers give birth and children grow up.”

The LCCS gave out the awards in honor of Older Americans Month, which is celebrated each May.

“Karen is a great example of the tremendous benefits that just one dedicated, experienced person can bring to an organization,” said Carolyn A. Guthman, executive director of the LCCS. “By highlighting the great work of Karen and other local seniors, the LCCS aims to help the community understand the importance of being a volunteer.”

The LCCS is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan senior advocacy group, which has been considered the “Voice of Lake County Seniors” since its founding in 1973. The organization has more than 300 members and has honored more than 400 outstanding Lake County seniors in the past 28 years.

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital currently has 452 volunteers. In 2010 alone, they dedicated 34,567 hours to service.

Go to lfh.org/volunteering_opportunities to learn more about opportunities to volunteer at NLFH.