Des Plaines Community Foundation Presents 4th Annual Sadie Rose Leadership Award For Students
The Des Plaines Community Foundation recently awarded its fourth annual Sadie Rose Leadership Award targeted to junior and senior high school students. Zach Nelson of Des Plaines was this year's recipient.
This is the fifth year the Foundation has offered the Sadie Rose Leadership Award. Sadie Rose Argus was awarded the first leadership award in 2014 in recognition of her tireless contributions to the Des Plaines Community Foundation.
"The Sadie Rose Argus Leadership Award was established to recognize young individuals who volunteer and share their time and talents with the Des Plaines Community Foundation (DPCF)," said Rich Holke, president of the Foundation.
Zach Nelson graduated from Maine West High School this May and has devoted many hours to community service through his Eagle Scouts and volunteer activities.
Examples of his service include serving numerous dinners at Bessie's Table, collecting worn out American flags for a friends of eagle project, helped clean out Salvation Army disaster relief kitchen trucks for another eagle project, donations to the Maine Township Food Pantry, and hosting dinners for the homeless as well as donating toiletries.
He also contributed to the canned food drive for Des Plaines Self Help Pantry as well as volunteering for organizations such as Feed my Starving Children, the Salvation Army and serving at W.I.N. .G.s sorting donated clothes for hours.
Nelson plans to earn his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree and plans to serve his community through teaching younger generations. He wants to teach general music, drama, or high school choir.
He aspires to be a positive role model in the community through teaching, leading and service.
"We appreciate all the work Zach did over many years to help us distribute meals to the home bound residents in Des Plaines on Thanksgiving Day," said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the Foundation. "Zach made thousands of people a little less lonely and a little happier with greetings and good food."
Last year an award of $1,000 was given to David Charewicz, a former Elk Grove High School student. Charewicz opted to not except the prize and instead he re-donated the scholarship money back to the Foundation.
The Sadie Rose Argus Leadership Award is given to a student every June in recognition of their efforts and volunteer hours directly related to carrying out the mission, programs and services of the Des Plaines Community Foundation.
Winners will be cited for: program leadership; recruitment of youth for volunteer activities; exhibiting exemplary character, and creating new opportunities for individuals in Des Plaines that enhance quality of life. There are no resident requirements.
"We believe that helping our young adults obtain a college education is an investment, not only in the future of our youth, but also in the future of Des Plaines," Holke said.
"The scholarship was created to help bring juniors and senior high school students' postsecondary assistance for those who volunteer and help the DPCF carry out their mission, programs and services," he said.
The award amount is determined by and at the discretion of the Des Plaines Community Foundation committee. This is the fourth year the Foundation has offered this new scholarship.
Issued by the board of trustees, a maximum of $2,000 will be paid to a postsecondary education institution selected by a student who earns this recognition.
The Sadie Rose Argus Leadership Award may or may not be granted annually. However, the award amount must be dedicated and set aside and identified as a dedicated resource for the award and/or future awards.
"This award was established in honor of Sadie Rose Argus due to her tireless contributions to further the mission of the DPCF," said Holke.
There is no application for the award. Eligible juniors and seniors may be nominated by the D Des Plaines Community Foundation executive director, Des Plaines Community Foundation Board members or a community member directly impacted by the Des Plaines Community Foundation's work and by students providing that service.
Those nominated will be reviewed by the nomination committee that will consist of a minimum of four Des Plaines Community Foundation trustees.
The committee will be judging the student efforts and volunteer hours directly related to carrying out the mission, programs and services of the Des Plaines Community Foundation.
The leadership the student provided, including, but not limited to the recruitment of other youths for volunteer activities and the exhibit of exemplary character.
The foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.
Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee, Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee, Intergenerational Program Committee, and Seasons of Service program Committee.
The foundation has no paid employees and is 100-percent volunteer. Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible contributions as well as from other foundations.
Students considered for future scholarship program must complete an application, which can be downloaded at www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org/scholarship.
For tickets to the annual September 7 Rivers Casino fundraiser go to www.DPCharties.org or www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org or call Rosemary Argus at 847-297-4932 or 847-525-5566. The 2018 Casino Fundraiser will feature the local 7th Heaven band as entertainment.