Fox River Valley Chapter presents DAR community service award
The Fox River Valley Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution announced in April that Barbara Pagano of Huntley is the recipient of the DAR Community Service Award.
She was recognized her for outstanding voluntary achievements Feb. 16 when she was presented with a certificate for “Excellence in Community Service” and a DAR Community Service pin.
Pagano has numerous voluntary accomplishments throughout the community. She has been involved in AAUW Crystal Lake Branch for many years, having served as Branch President, Historian, Membership Chair, Fundraising Chair and Social Chair. She led the way for a new initiative of Bookfriends International, the “Girls Hygiene Project,” to provide teenage girls in Africa with hygiene kits. To do so, she gathered support and materials from her affiliate organizations, including AAUW and the Girl Scouts.
Pagano's volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois spans 30 years. MaryBeth Markwell, the Recruitment Specialist for GSNI said, “All of us here — have and always will — hold Barbara in the highest esteem. The countless hours of her dedication and passion are the best way to describe Barb.”
Early on Pagano organized a Girl Scout troop and later served on the Fund Development Committee and the Board of Directors. She helped to develop career exploration opportunities for girls and the chance to experience a living history presentation of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girls Scouts in the United States.
She has served on the board of the Top of Illinois Veterans Stand Down and facilitates the annual Stand Down for Veterans in Rockford, Illinois. President Ron Sodko said, “Barbara cannot be thanked enough for her boundless energy and countless hours she puts towards the veterans of our community.”
As a member of the Shepherd of the Prairie Church in Huntley, Pagano serves as a worship assistant, head of the Altar Guild Ministry, leader of the young girls' group called GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), and leadership team member for the Youth and Confirmation Program. She has served as vice president of her church's women's group WELCA.
Senior Pastor Mark Boster said, “More than anything else, Barb serves out of her love of Christ and her servant heart. She pours her love for others into all she does in life.”
The Community Service Awards Committee was established by the DAR National Board of Management for recognizing outstanding, unpaid voluntary achievements, through benevolent, civic or heroic service or by organizing or participating in community activities. These are awards of recognition that honor individuals, groups of people, or organizations who have contributed to our community in an outstanding manner.
DAR members are committed to volunteer service throughout their communities. To learn more about DAR, visit www.DAR.org. To learn more about DAR membership and Fox River Valley Chapter, https://www.facebook.com/FoxRiverValleyDAR/. For information on joining the DAR and assistance with the application process, contact Chapter Registrar Joan Longmire at geniejoan@comcast.net or 847-961-6381. Other questions may be directed to Chapter Regent Laurie Sutherland at frvdar@gmail.com. Learn more about Illinois DAR at http://www.ildar.org/