Long Grove's Robinson honored by Shelter Inc. board
As a managing partner of the tax firm Grant Thornton, Jeffery Robinson of Long Grove takes an analytical approach to most issues. But one year after serving on the board of Shelter Inc., it was the human side of the agency that hooked him.
The nonprofit provides emergency and foster care placement for emotionally and physically abused children.
"Shelter is a wonderful organization wholly dedicated to doing all it can to be sure that children have the right opportunities to grow into responsible adults without baggage that neglect and abuse can cause," Robinson said.
"It is a horrible situation for any child to have to suffer from, and without Shelter, many children would have never had appropriate opportunities to grow and prosper."
Robinson remained on the board for 13 years. During that time, he was treasurer, vice president and ultimately president. On Nov. 20, at Shelter's Charity Ball, officials singled him out for their highest honor, the Paul Buckholz Award.
"We are so grateful for the passionate and unwavering support of Jeff Robinson," said Guy Eisenhuth, president and CEO of Village Bank & Trust in Arlington Heights, and treasurer of Shelter's board. "Jeff's caring and humble character makes him the obvious choice to receive this year's Buckholz Award."
More than 200 people attended the gala, held at the Schaumburg Hyatt Regency. Guests stepped into a "Carnaval Spectacular," with striking décor, music by the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, and the painting of abstract performance artist Elliott From, of Art Beat Live.
Shelter held its first charity ball in 1988, forming partnerships with local businesses to help expand their facilities.
The late Robert Galvin, then-President and CEO of Motorola, was the first honorary chairman. It took eight years, but in 1996, Shelter was able to open its boys group home in Palatine and to this day remains the only community-based, emergency group home for adolescent boys.
Shelter later added the Jennings Home for Girls in Schaumburg. The homes often provide a cooling-off period for families who are experiencing parent-child conflicts, adolescents running away from home or a family crisis such as eviction, divorce, unemployment, homelessness, parental or guardian hospitalization and domestic violence.
As their facilities have expanded, however, so has the need. Last year alone, the agency served nearly 3,000 infants, children and adolescents in need of immediate help and placement.
This year's proceeds were earmarked for Shelter's Healthy Families initiative, which provides home visits to first-time parents, emphasizing children's well-being and positive parenting.