CHARACTER COUNTS! Annual Recognition Breakfast
Every spring the Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition sponsors a breakfast to recognize members of the community who live, work or attend school in Bloomingdale who exhibit outstanding character. Each honoree is nominated with a description of the pillar of character that he exempliflies. The May 9th breakfast was held at Bloomingdale Golf Club. Pictured above are the 2010 CHARACTER COUNTS! Recognition recipients (from left to right): Terri Zak, Presey Espinosa, Frank Cook, Rene Frost, Sue Wigg, Sophie Schultz, Sam Galante, Liz Kotwas, Tom Hong, Jessica Wigg, Vi Ferguson. Not pictured Linda Beagley, Sherry Douglas and Judy Gordon.
Linda Beagley - Linda is known for her many years of devoted service to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. In addition to this, in 2007, 2008 and 2009 Linda used her vacation time to participate in mission trips to East Africa to serve as a nurse to a very poor and needy population in Naivasha, Kenya. Linda not only made use of her own nursing skills, knowledge and faith, but helped share her expertise and spirituality with others far from her home, exemplifying the Pillar of Caring.
Sherry Douglas - As a member of the Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition for 10+ years, Sherry enthusiastically served the Coalition, taking on advanced character training to better apply her skills in the community. Sherry served many years as the Coalition Treasurer, and is now in her second year as the Coalition Chair.
Presey Espinosa - Presey is a very familiar face at Winnebago School, assisting in three classrooms, and providing ongoing support throughout the school year with yearbook, book fair, market day, library helper and first grade reading helper, etc.
Violet (Vi) Ferguson - Vi performs volunteer work at the Bloomingdale Township Senior Center every day in the gift shop, as a bingo caller, answering phones, etc. Vi is a lovely person who cares deeply for our Senior Community.
Rene Frost - Over the years Rene has generously given hours of her free time each week to help the busy teachers at Winnebago School with cutting, laminating and photo copying tasks. No matter what the weather, she goes the extra mile to support Winnebago School.
Sam Galante - In 2008, the 8-year old volunteered to help with the Lion's Club Walk-a-Dog-a-Thon, raising funds for companion dogs for persons with disabilities. The young man was so moved by how the trained dogs help people in wheelchairs, that he volunteered again in 2009, surprising the Lion's Club with a donation of $54, which he raised during the year collecting scrap metal. With the help of family members, neighbors, and friends, Sam continued to raise funds, which he donated to the Lions Club, the Midwest Council for Children with Disabilities (MCCD), and the National Association for Downs Syndrome (NADS). To date they have raised $546 collecting scrap metal. In March of this year, Sam shaved his head to raise funds for St. Baldrick's Foundation for pediatric cancer, and raised $2200. (Sherry Douglas presents Sam with his award.)
Judy Gordon - Judy has been caught numerous times over the years picking up garbage along the path in a Bloomingdale park. Without fail, Judy can be witnessed picking up someone else's garbage and throwing it away so that our park remained clean.
Tom Hong - Tom served on the Bloomingdale School District 13 Citizens' Advisory Committee and later on the Bloomingdale School District 13 Board of Education, involving much time and commitment. As the former store manager for our local Jewel Food Store, Tom demonstrated top-notch customer service, working hard alongside his employees. Tom consistently supported local organizations, hired local youth and in general, encouraged involvement with our community.
Liz Kotwas - Thirty-year veteran teacher at Erickson Elementary, Liz is always willing to mentor fellow teachers. Liz's commitment to Erickson and her students extends after hours and into the weekends, thinking of new ideas and lessons. Liz remains committed to professional development, and to caring for each and every student.
Sophie Schultz - For many years, Sophie has daily taken a Pace bus to and from her home to the Senior Center, rain or shine. Here she volunteers for the DuPage Senior Citizens Council "Meals on Wheels" program, preparing meals for homebound seniors in the Bloomingdale community. Sophie is a wonderful caring person, dedicated to our senior community.
Sue & Jessica Wigg - Last fall a father was killed in a car/motorcycle accident. As part of the healing process his son and daughter longed for a quilt created from their father's numerous motorcycling t-shirts. Sue & Jessica Wigg through the Bloomingdale Quilt Club offered to create the quilt. This mother-daughter team created two wonderful quilts as a gift of caring and concern for strangers they never met.
Rooster's Restaurant New to the program this year, is the Bloomingdale Business of Character Award, which was presented to owner Frank Cook and manager Terri Zak of Rooster's Restaurant. Rooster's received the award in recognition of the quality customer service demonstrated by their staff, and for their ongoing support and commitment to the Bloomingdale community through their dedicated and generous service in various community events, such as the Library Fish Fry, Bloomingdale Historical Society, Bloomingdale Police Department, etc. Pictured left to right: Frank Cook, Terri Zak, Sherry Douglas and Nancy Butler.