Keeping Jeanine's memory alive

On behalf of our family and the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Literacy Fund Committee, we sincerely thank all who made our annual 5K G.L.O.W. Run (Give Literacy an Opportunity to Win) on June 6 such a huge success.

We especially thank the 2,000 runners and walkers (the maximum we could allow) for their participation and enthusiasm.

We thank Mayor Emeritus George Pradel, who started the runners, greeted them at the finish line, and presented the awards to the winning runners and best "glow" costumes. Thanks, too, to Briana Reilly for singing of the National Anthem, and our emcee, Ray Kinney.

This event could not take place without the cooperation and commitment of the numerous sponsors, donors, volunteers, the city of Naperville, the Naperville Police Department and run organizers Tracey Nelson, Christine Roy and Kathy Brown.

We thank the management, residents and businesses of 5th Avenue Station for allowing us to occupy their parking lot that afternoon and evening. We also thank the residents along the race route who joined in the festivities by decorating their homes and cheering on the runners.

It was our honor to present five grants totaling $40,360 to Naperville schools and the DuPage Children's Advocacy Center. The run is the major fundraiser for the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Literacy Fund. Money raised makes it possible for the fund to continue to award grants to the public and private schools in Naperville School Districts 203 and 204.

We continue to be deeply touched by the outpouring of support and dedication from this community, and we thank all for helping us keep Jeanine's memory alive in a positive and caring way.

Pat and Tom Nicarico

formerly of Naperville