“Fall In Love With Caring”
October 21, 2011 at Giovanni's
Raffle winners:
Grand Prize - Kathleen Kelly
2nd Prize - Ted Thomas
3rd Prize - Sergio Suarez Casas
“SPIRIT OF CARING WINNERS HONORED BY
CRUSADER COMMUNITY HEALTH”
Crusader Community Health announced the winners of the annual “Spirit of Caring” awards at its 39th anniversary event, “Fall in Love with Caring” held on October 21st at Giovanni’s. The event attended by 470 persons also featured an autumn themed dinner, live and silent auction items, and a raffle.
Crusader Community Health initiated the “Spirit of Caring” awards in 1992 to honor special individuals and organizations in our community who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in caring for others. This year ten individuals and 12 organizations were nominated for the award by family and friends in recognition of their care and concern for others. Crusader Community Health presented the Twentieth Annual “Spirit of Caring” awards to: John Mink, Cheryl Marshall and Bill Roop. The organization award went to the Rock River Valley Pantry.
John Mink
A dedicated, compassionate and vocal leader, John Mink has enriched our community through decades of service to many organizations through his support of fund development, board leadership, significant donations and the ability to inspire a high standard of giving from numerous donors in our community. Highlighted service includes 35 yrs with Rosecrance Health Network, over 20 yrs at the Rock Valley College Foundation, 39 yrs with Rock Valley Kiwanis and 6 yrs with Wesley Willows Retirement Community. Recipient of the Rosecrance Castle Award and the Association of Fundraising Professionals award for Outstanding Community Service, John's gifts to our community are viewed as "immeasurable". It is John's "sincere passion and generous spirit that sets him apart. He has personally committed his time and resources to enriching our community for many".
Cheryl Marshall
Numerous organizations depend on the talents of this nurturing leader, often found behind the scenes working tirelessly to ensure funding is secured to support the services many depend on in our community, Cheryl Marshall has and continues to dedicate herself to benefit "many people, not just a few". Her contributions include CCH Board and Chairman of two major events, Our Saviors Church President, The MILL Fund Development Chair, Visiting Nurses Assoc. Vice Chair, CASA Volunteer, Contact 24 hour Crisis Intervention Board Chair and the United Way Campaign Volunteer to name a few. “She is an inspiration to all. If only all people could have a sense of appreciation and commitment for the community from whence they came, how better our world would be."
William C. Roop
Through the leadership and guidance of Mr. William Roop as President and CEO of Alpine Bank, it has become "the largest local community bank serving Winnebago and Boone counties. Helping to build strong local businesses thus building a stronger community. Reflected in this leadership are the immeasurable contributions Mr. Roop has given of himself to local organizations including Chair of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, First Vice Chairman of Swedish American Health System Board of Directors, Chairman of the Rockford Boys and Girls Club and Chair of the Rockford Area Crime Stoppers. In 2006, Mr. Roop was recipient of the Rockford Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer. "For nearly 40 years, Bill has worked alongside his employees, his customers and his fellow community members in an effort to make Rockford a better place to live". A mentor to leaders and an inspiration to leaders to come Mr. Roop "sees challenges as opportunities and works to execute solutions that have demonstrative outcomes".
Rock River Valley Pantry
35 years and hundreds of thousands of individuals served, the Rock River Valley Pantry has grown to be the largest community food pantry in Northern Illinois. Providing nutritious balanced meals is the work of over 60 volunteers per week who provided 650,000 meals last year alone. The Pantry has also become a leader in advocacy and education in its mission to not see one person go hungry in our community through its founding of the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition, partnering with the U of I Winnebago County Extension office and its involvement with the Master Gardeners in creating the Plant-a-Row for the Hungry which inspires gardeners to donate their excess produce which equaled over 13 tons of fresh produce for the pantry last year. "Hunger is not an issue that is easily identified but it truly exists for a surprising number of neighbors in our community.through all the years one fundamental belief has remained, we are a community, we care about one another and we all have the responsibility to help those less fortunate".
Special thanks to: PINNACLE SPONSOR: BMO Harris Bank; Premier Sponsor: SwedishAmerican Health System; Major Sponsors: Cord Construction, NEXUS Office Systems, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford Health System; Dinner Sponsor: Giovanni’s; Patron Sponsors: Riverside Community Bank, Woodward; Benefactor Plus Sponsors: Furst Staffing, VIKING Chemical, Williams-Manny; Flower Sponsor: David Hagney Architects; Benefactor Sponsors: Alpha Controls, Rockford Orthopedic Associates, Savant Capital Management, Inc.; Publicity Sponsors: Rockford Register Star, WTVO-TV, and WNIU/WNIJ. For more information contact the Crusader Community Health Foundation office, phone 815-490-1620 or visit the website: www.crusaderhealth.org.
The Crusader Community Health is a community based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to serve the Rock River Valley area with quality, primary health care for people in need. Services are available on a sliding discount basis. Crusader Community Health operates out of four locations: Crusader Community Health on West State Street-Woodward Campus, 1200 West State Street, Crusader Community Health on Broadway-Uram Building, Broadway & 7th, Crusader Community Health Belvidere, 1050 Logan Avenue, Belvidere and Crusader Community Health Loves Park, 6115 North Second, Loves Park.