Judson U. names D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award winner

Judson University's annual Community Prayer Breakfast, held in honor of Fox Valley civic leader and event founder D. Ray Wilson, welcomed more than 260 local community service volunteers on Wednesday, May 4.

Berlean Miller Burris was keynote speaker for this year's event. She has had dual careers in nursing and theological education, earning numerous awards and fellowships as well as degrees from Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago and Moody Theological Seminary. Her publications focused on empowering educationally disadvantaged and minority students. She continues to serve the citizens of Chicago through community efforts. Most recently, her new book, "Just Stand: God's Faithfulness Never Fails," follows her journey when her husband, former Sen. Roland W. Burris, was appointed to the U.S. Senate from Illinois and experienced political attacks on his personal integrity.

Congratulations go to Donna Anderson who was announced as the recipient of this year's D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award.

Nominated by Julie McClendon of the YWCA, Donna Anderson has provided leadership and guidance that was instrumental in a community-wide effort to make health care available for those without health care insurance or unable to afford health care through the formation of the Greater Elgin Family Care Center.

Donna's leadership was instrumental in gathering needed local and state funds for the capital and operational start up monies. She continued to raise awareness to community leaders for those who needed access to health care in the Elgin area.

Since opening its doors in July 2001, Greater Elgin Family Care Center has provided medical services to 18,000 area residents. Nearly 14 years later, she has continued in service to the Greater Elgin Family Care center by serving as board chair for eight years.

During this time, Donna also volunteered to empower women and families at the YWCA Elgin, serving as board president for three years and on the board for another seven years.

She was the founding mother of YWCA Elgin's signature event, "Queen for the Day," and founded the Leader Luncheon Tea, held one week before the annual awards program, and continues to serve on several YWCA committees.

Donna has served as a board member to Hamilton Wings, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote ethics and leadership for youth through the arts. Throughout these times, Donna has also served in many leadership and volunteer roles at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin.

In remembrance of his faithful service to the Golden Corridor community, Judson instituted the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award, to be presented annually to a local individual who volunteers for the greater good of the community.

The award is given to an individual from the Golden Corridor, which is made up of Elgin, East Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Bartlett, Hoffman Estates and Barrington. The recipient has been nominated by a community member and then selected by a committee.

Other nominees for this year's award included Cherie Murphy, nominated by Sean Stegall, City Manager for Elgin, in honor of Murphy's dedicated service to several Elgin organizations; and Shirley Schrade, nominated by Sgt. Geoffrey Pretkelis of the Bartlett Police Department, for Schrade's volunteer service to the Bartlett Police Department for more than 15 years.