Bensenville chamber honors volunteers

Adults are good at patting each other on the back for doing good deeds. But sometimes they forget to recognize youth for many of those same accomplishments.

However, that that's not the case with the Bensenville Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The organization recently recognized a number of local business leaders and community volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

Like many other chambers, Bensenville dishes out a variety of these awards each year. They include Volunteer of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Community Service Awards. But this year, the chamber spiked its awards ceremony with a dose of thoughtful youth.

It presented Sean Newman, a senior at Fenton High School, with its new Youth Volunteer Award this month.

"I'm humbled," Newman said.

During his high school career, the 17-year-old has accumulated more than 400 hours of community service. Most notably, he's spent his summers and part of his winters volunteering as a camp counselor at the Tourette's Syndrome USA Camp in Ingleside.

"I just like the experience," Newman said. "I want to be a music educator when I get out of college. That's why I like working with the kids."

He also spent time playing the piano for residents at Sunrise Assisted Living in Bloomingdale and volunteering for his high school's spring musical.

Other volunteers and business leaders honored include:

• Val Karg, Jan Crowe, Nancy Quinn, Tyrone Kalogeresis and Patti Johnson named Volunteers of the Year for their work on planning the 2007 Fourth of July Parade. They are each a member of the village's Fourth of July Parade Committee. Bensenville leaders called the parade one of the best Bensenville has ever seen.

• Colleen McEvoy, owner of Hair Shapers Inc. in Bensenville, received the Business Person of the Year Award. She was recognized for her contribution to the Bensenville business community by supporting numerous chamber and community events. She has operated her business in downtown Bensenville for more than 35 years. McEvoy is also a motivational speaker, an author and remains active with her church.

• Jill Rodriguez, director of the Bensenville Community Public Library, received the Community Service of the Year Award. She was recognized for more than 30 years of outstanding service to the community. That includes working with the Youth Services Coalition and the Bensenville Intergovernmental Group. Rodriguez has also been one of the leading advocates of Character Counts, a nationwide initiative to promote good character.