Center of Concern Awards
2023 Awardees
Volunteer of the Year
Frank Volante, Arlington Heights
In recognition of volunteers of the Center of Concern who are exemplary in volunteering their time and energy, this award is presented to those who support agency efforts through active participation in programs or services to support the community.
2020-2022
2022 Ignatian Volunteer Corps, Erin and Marilyn
2021 Paula Mack, Park Ridge
2020 Donna Donovan, Park Ridge
2020 Center of Concern Teen Board
2010 - 2019
2019 Mark Miller, Niles
2019 Joe Pomilla, Park Ridge
2018 Inge Serpe, Park Ridge
2018 Joanne Toenings, Park Ridge
2017 Sharon Bollinger
2017 Nancy Geraci
2016 Chuck Manson
2015 Eric Strauts
2014 Carla Surma
2013 Carol Gonzalez
2013 Karen Gembala
2013 Richard Skadow
2013 Eric Strauts
2012 Len Scheller
2012 Barbara Skadow
2012 Nancy Buckely
2011 Josephine Schumacher
2010 Gregg Ness
2010 Mary Ann Bradley
2010 Rudy Smolka
2000 - 2009
2009 Stan Jenczyk
2009 Margaret McGrath
2008 Audrey Nankervis
2008 Crystal Sonin
2008 Al Herbert
2007 Pat Sniezek
2007 Beverly Conrad
2007 Lynda Hartwig
2006 Krystna Prochenski
2006 Rich Kryswonos
2006 Bob McCarthy
2006 Cindy Tauber
2006 Char Meyer
2005 Sharon Fitzsimmons
2005 Steve Schneider
2005 Marily Schueman
2005 Jim Schurder
2004 Kay Ross
2004 Margaret Warren
2004 Ellen Upton
2004 Rose Kowols
2004 Dottie Pinto
2003 Mary Valentine
2003 Kim DiFranco
2003 Larry Abramovitz
2003 Mary Polizzi
2003 Joe Pawlick
2002 Dorothy Hummel
2002 Midge Smith
2002 Nancy Stuercke
2002 Karen Epps
2001 Mary Lusignan
2001 Dorothy Reif
2001 Mary Schaefer
2001 Rev. David Jones
2001 Carla Robelli
2001 Leta Smith
2000 Cathy Davitt
2000 Dorothy Olsen
2000 Carol Taylor
2000 Irwin Borchew
2000 Elinor Traharne
1990 - 1999
1999 Sue Konopka
1999 Jill Cukla
1999 Chuck DiFranco
1999 Jane Baldoni
1999 Cydelle Rosenberg
1999 Helen Walanski
1999 Chick Clarke
1999 Hugh Baxter
1998 Arlene Arthur
1998John Endres
1998 Ruth Kelly
1998 Owen Muellner
1998 Marily Duschl
1998 Bob Jensen
1998 Grace Vinopal
1998 Karen Wallace
1997 Lois Jensen
1997 Lynn Lohr
1997 Margaret Mathels
1997 Mary Smilanic
1997 Gene Lies
1997 Pat Schorr
1996 Frances Batman
1996 Estelle Dean
1996 Mary Longbrake
1996 Lowell Nelson
1996 Juan Santana
1996 Leo Berman
1996 Ann Marie Gamble
1996 Len Scheller
1995 Amy Ciampi
1995 Stan Jenczyk
1995 Peggie Mielke
1995 Ann Scheller
1995 Millie Brower
1995 Carol Dillenbeck
1995 Chris Piccoli
1995 Margaret Walczak
1994 Delores Barton
1994 Bonnie Dal Ponte
1994 Elsie Halm
1994 Joe Kotek
1994 Bill Paine
1994 Bob Bisgard
1994 Rosemary Dewey
1994 Fr. Greg Hinton
1994 Dorothy Liptak
1993 Eleanor Anderson
1993 Herb Gross
1993 George Heinrich
1993 Anne & Timothy Johnson
1993 Charlotte Ogorek
1993 Florence Sallwasser
1993 Norma Cherry
1993 Joan B. Hall
1993 Arnold Jensen
1993 Jim Lennon
1993 Bill Paine
1993 Ann Yates
1991 Chuck Baldoni
1991 L. Richard Chase
1991 Julie Keller
1991 Mary Schurder
1991 Maretha & Roger Smith
1991 Leo Berman
1991 Ruth Geils (posthumously)
1991 Abe Linderman
1991 Barbara Skadow
1991 Irene Urban
1990 Mary Carlson
1990 Dale Piper
1990 Dorothy Luptak
1990 Loretta Oehler
Dee Heinrich Award
Peggy Brzezinksi, Des Plaines
This award honors the Center of Concern founder Dorothea “Dee” J. Heinrich and is presented to a longtime volunteer who continues the pioneering spirit of outstanding leadership, teamwork, and vision that Dee Heinrich brought to the agency and community.
2020-2022
2022 Martha Luzio, Park Ridge
2021 Christine Perille, Park Ridge
2020 Mike McGrath Park Ridge
2010 - 2019
2019 Myrna Fogarty Park Ridge
2018 Sue Beaumont Park Ridge
2018 Suzanne Dahm Park Ridge
2018 Eric Strauts posthumously Park Ridge
2017 Adrienne Timm
2016 John Maag
2015 Beverly Conrad
2014 Jay Kuchel
2013 Al Herbert
2012 Mary Lusignan
2011 Jim Schurder
2010 Larry Abramovitz
2000 - 2009
2009 Rev. David Jones
2008 Kim DiFranco
2007 Ann Scheller
2006 John Endres
2005 Kay Jarzombek
2004 Mary Smilanic
2003 Bob Bisgard
2002 Len Scheller
2001 Lowell Nelson
2000 Kurt Litscher
1990 - 1999
1999 Josephine Conlon
1998 Mike McAllister
1997 Mary Maroney
1996 Kurt Litscher
1995 Abe Linderman
1994 Barbara Skadow
Excellence in Leadership
Chris Pesche
This annual award recognizes a community member who has exemplified leadership through invested involvement with the Center of Concern and has assisted our agency envision the future, identify paths to success, and carry out our mission to help those in need.
2020-2022
2022 Rudy and Cindi Smolka, TOWN
2021 Alfons and Tina Boshenz, Park Ridge
2020 Kathryn Puetz, City of Des Plaines
2010 - 2019
2019 Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri
2018 Mike Charewicz, Des Plaines
2018 Larry Friel, Park Ridge
2017 Senator Laura Murphy
2016 Don Smith, Alderman City of Des Plaines
2015 Frank Ahern 2014 Jim Blue
2000 - 2009
2000 Barb Skadow & Family
Partner of the Year
Rivers Casino Des Plaines and
Maine Township High School District 207
This award honors a local community organization that has supported the mission of the Center of Concern. The award is presented based on financial assistance, in-kind support, volunteer work, and positive interaction with the community and Center of Concern clients.
2020-2022
2022 Cook County Department of Public Health
2021 Niles Senior Center and The Webb Foundation
2020 AgeOptions
2010 - 2019
2019 Blowitz Ridgway Foundation
2019 Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
2018 Russell & Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust
2017 20 Century Club of Park Ridge
2017 Abra Prentice Foundaiton
2017 Des Plaines Public Library
2016 Park Ridge Garden Club
2016 Judge James, Hoban & Fischer
2015 Park Ridge Community Bank
2014 Presence Health
2013 Maine Township
2012 St. Paul of the Cross
2011 20th Century Club of Park Ridge
2010 St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
2000 - 2009
2009 Harris Bank 2008 Fred & Nancy Gillick, Gillick Realtors
2007 Mary Frances Hegarty Law 2006 Baird & Warner
2005 Allstate Foundation
2004 St. Paul of the Cross
2003 Des Plaines United Way
2002 Retirement Research Foundation
1990 - 1999
1999 Lutheran General Hospital