Schaumburg celebrates its top volunteers for 2010

Schaumburg volunteers come from all walks of life and from every age group, literally.

At the Volunteer of the Year awards luncheon on Tuesday at Chandler's restaurant in Schaumburg, a 106-year-old nearly stole the show.

Lottie Rhoades, a Friendship Village resident, was nominated by three separate people for crocheting winter caps for a relief organization that sends them to people in need in Third World countries.

This year alone, she has crocheted more than 70 caps, and has another one started, she told guests at her table.

Judges for the Volunteer of the Year Award broke from the event's 23-year tradition and awarded her a special recognition plaque, honoring her lifetime of service to others.

Schaumburg trustee Jack Sullivan served as master of ceremonies. He was so moved by her story that he briefly left the podium to give Rhoades a kiss on the cheek.

"I think you're magnificent," he told her.

Just as inspiring were the volunteer efforts of Schaumburg High School senior Lisa Caponigri, who won the youth category.

The honors student is an active member of the school's Students Helping Others club, but she is most passionate about volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association.

Her mother succumbed to a rare form of memory loss, called primary progressive aphasia, at the age of 47, and it left Caponigri wanting to do something to help others afflicted with the disease.

"The Alzheimer's Association provides support for other types of brain injury, and they helped my father when my mother was diagnosed," Caponigri said.

A Schaumburg couple, Larry and Rene Netzer, won as the adult Volunteers of the Year. Together they work behind the scenes at the Prairie Center for the Arts Foundation, helping with everything from concessions and fundraising events, to serving as ushers.

They also volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life in Schaumburg, Omni Youth Services and at Our Savior's United Methodist Church.

"Our specialty is fundraising," Rene Netzer said, "but mostly we like working with people."

Ala Carte Entertainment operates several restaurants and clubs in the Northwest suburbs, ranging from Chandler's and Moretti's in Schaumburg, to Famous Freddie's Roadhouse in Mount Prospect.

What patrons may not know is their 23-year commitment to providing transportation for persons with disabilities, to recreational and Special Olympics events.

Staff members hold a golf outing each year that raises money for the Northwest Special Recreation Association, based in Rolling Meadows, which partners with 17 communities.

Ala Carte also hosts the party every year after the Special Olympics Spring Games track and field meet, which draws more than 700 athletes from the Northwest suburbs.

"Ala Carte Entertainment is committed to enhancing the quality of life for Schaumburg residents," said Justin Sienkiewicz, a staff member with Northwest Special Recreation Association, who nominated the group.