Palatine Township Presents TOPS Awards at 167th Annual Town Meeting

Palatine Township presented the yearly TOPS Awards during the 167th annual Palatine Township Town Meeting, held on April 12, 2016.

The awards were presented by Palatine Township Supervisor Sharon Langlotz-Johnson. The specific awards, recipients and information on why they were chosen to receive the award are listed below.

Outstanding Community Service:

• Jack Benzo: A member of Boy Scout Troop 182 and an Eagle Scout, Jack Benzo of Palatine created a Butterfly Garden on the north side of the Palatine Township Center, 721 S. Quentin Road, for his Eagle Scout project in 2015. The garden provides a safe haven for the Monarch Butterfly; the population of these butterflies has decreased by 90-percent over the last several years.

Outstanding Individuals:

• Pat Dormann: For the last seven years, Pat Dormann has volunteered countless hours to assist with the Apple Tree Campaign, by assisting with the sorting of school supplies from donors and participated in distribution to in-need Palatine Township children. She also is a consistent volunteer/donor for a number of other Township outreach programs.

• Don Van Cleave: For the last 10 years, Don Cleave has come to the Township Center two times per week, and volunteered to help with a variety of tasks. He helps sort and stock the food pantry, and even takes out the garbage when needed, as well as delivers donations and drives the Township truck.

Outstanding Business:

• Kerry Lavelle and Lavelle Law: Since 2004, Lavelle Law Charities has played a leadership role for the Palatine Food Drive. Each fall, Lavelle Law team members establish drop-off locations where residents can donate nonperishable foods, in addition to collecting, loading and delivering the donations to the Township-all of which help to stock the food pantry for several months each year.

Outstanding Volunteer Service Organization:

Palatine Jaycees: For the last 58 years, the Palatine Jaycees have participated in, and provided services to the Township through volunteering and donating to several of the outreach programs, including Apple Tree, Adopt-A-Family and Thanksgiving Baskets.

Palatine Township Patriot Award:

• Bill Pohlman: This award is given to an individual or group who has contributed to Palatine Township and the community. Bill Pohlman was recognized for his lifetime membership as a Palatine Jaycee, and countless volunteer positions he has held since moving to Palatine in 1981. Those include volunteering for the Rotary Club of Palatine, Palatine Jaycees, American Legion, Journeys the Road Home, Little City and PHD, among others.

The TOPS Awards were established by Palatine Township in 1999, and the Patriot Award was first given out in 2015. The 2015 recipient was Kathy Allegretti, who was recognized for her community volunteerism.