Schaumburg resident named Outstanding Young Person
The Illinois Jaycees selected Schaumburg resident Christopher Schiel as an honoree of its Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois awards program.
The Outstanding Young Persons program annually recognizes young people throughout Illinois who excel in their chosen fields and show a great commitment to their respective communities. Schiel, 37, is being recognized in the category of Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment.
Schiel is the owner of Schaumburg's Xtra Mile Running, whose mission is to provide people with the tools, knowledge and support to help them achieve their goals. It has been nominated as one of the Top 50 Best Running Stores in America.
Xtra Mile Running hosts a fall and spring Couch to 5K program for all ages, as well as a summer running program for children that ends at the Roselle Race to Stop Hunger 5K and food packing event for children in need.
The store also hosts an annual Christmas Run, which includes a food drive to support a local church. In June, the organization partners with the Schaumburg Park District to host Global Running Day at Volkening Lake.
The company has been recognized by School District 54 for being one of its key partners in 2019 by sponsoring the local Run to Read 5K, the Addams 5K and other events. Xtra Mile Running also recently was named co-host of the local Run for the Roses 5K, formerly on the CARA Race Circuit and now entering its 26th year.
Schiel earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Business Administration, with a specialization in Human Resources Management, from American InterContinental University. He lives in Schaumburg with his wife, Christina, and children, Michael and Sophia.
"Since the day we opened our doors in 2018, Xtra Mile's vision has been to create a closely-knit community here in Schaumburg," said Schiel. "The fact that I was nominated and have received this award is a wonderful way to recognize all those who have contributed to nurturing this phenomenal community. This award truly belongs to them."
The Illinois Jaycees will recognize this year's honorees at an awards banquet May 2 at the Wyndham Springfield-City Centre. The event is supported by friends and employers of the honorees, local Jaycee organizations, Illinois businesses and the Illinois Jaycees Charitable Foundation.
Friends, local businesses and organizations can offer congratulations to the honoree and support the program by purchasing space in the banquet program. For more information, visit www.iljaycees.org/toyp-2020.
Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its inception in 1920. The goal of the not-for-profit organization is to provide members a means to reach their full potential through networking and personal growth opportunities and is ideal for proactive young people ages 18 to 40.
Members enhance a variety of skills as they work together to plan and run civic and individual development activities in their home communities and chapters. Illinois is the largest Jaycee state in the United States.
To locate a chapter near you, email servicecenter@iljaycees.org.