SuperSibs! founder wins national nod for good works
Melanie Goldish's story isn't new, but her energy and humanitarian efforts just earned her national recognition.
Goldish beat out nine finalists and was named to the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame. She'll take home $10,000 and a $5,000 charitable donation. Online voting from June through August determined the winner, who is recognized for having indomitable charitable spirit.
"It's just wild and exciting, it's just an honor and wonderful opportunity for SuperSibs!," Goldish said.
The Hoffman Estates resident founded SuperSibs! in 2002. The group has helped more than 10,000 children whose siblings suffer from cancer. About 350 volunteers help SuperSibs! send comfort packages to sooth children, ages 4 to 18, coping with a brother or sister suffering from cancer.
Goldish drew inspiration for the group after her older son, Travis, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia; she wanted to build a support system for her younger son, Spencer, coping with watching his brother suffer.
After a bone marrow transplant Travis is recovering. Friends, family and the pink and fuzzy Energizer bunny mascot surprised Goldish in June with news she was a finalist. It was an emotional time as Travis graduated from Plum Grove Elementary School that same day.
Fremd High School graduate Kendra Nickel nominated Goldish for the award after volunteering for SuperSibs! Now a student at Elon University in North Carolina, she calls Goldish a role model, and one of the forces who showed her the benefits of community service. She's continued to volunteer in college. Goldish works full time out of the Rolling Meadows office.
"Her energy is amazing," Nickel said.
Goldish beat out hundreds of applicants, and credits community support, including the backing of Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod and Rolling Meadows Mayor Ken Nelson, for her success. Also her fellow members at Temple Beth Tikvah in Hoffman Estates were always behind Goldish.
The level of community commitment from the field of award competitors impressed Goldish. She particularly was impressed by "Girls on the Run," a program created by a North Carolina woman who helps build self-esteem among girls ages 8 to 12.
"It was astounding to see what people achieve in their lives," she said.
Goldish plans on donating the $5,000 back into SuperSibs! The $10,000 will go toward college for her sons, as well as orthodontics. Goldish's children aren't eligible for the scholarships SuperSibs! awards.
She'll travel to Energizer headquarters on Sept. 20 in St. Louis and meet baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., who'll give her the award. Goldish is excited to meet Ripken, whose streak of consecutive games played for the Baltimore Orioles helped earn him entrance to the baseball Hall of Fame. Though not an Orioles fan, Goldish diplomatically refused to divulge where her Chicago baseball allegiances fell.
"I know better not to get into that," she said.