DuPagePads 2016 Volunteers of the Year
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DuPagePads 4,000 volunteers are vital to our mission to end homelessness. Last year DuPagePads volunteers donated 66,868 hours – the equivalent of 32 full-time employees. For the past five years, DuPagePads has requested nominations for our Volunteer of the Year Award. A committee selected the winners who were awarded plaques and given special recognition.
Bob Brown
Group: Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church
Years Volunteered for DuPagePads: 22+
Bob Brown assists wherever he is most needed. Taking ownership of his task, Bob recruits and trains back-up volunteers for the days which he is not able to be there-which one nominator mentions, is not very often. Recently, he has been instrumental in overseeing laundry services which keep the sites hygienic. “Bob is the backbone of our set-up and clean-up teams. We could not get the job done without him,” one nominator wrote.
Brian Hendricks
Group: First United Methodist – West Chicago
Years Volunteered for DuPagePads: 25+
Brian Hendricks has been volunteering for more than 25 years and was an influential force in the congregation becoming an overnight site. As the site coordinator, Brian recruits and organizes volunteers for his congregation. If there is ever a shortage of volunteers, Brian will work an extra shift or stay through the night. He visits with all of DuPagePads program participants. “Brian is the most loving and compassionate volunteer I have ever worked with. He is the glue that keeps our site going and makes us all better,” one nominator wrote.
Dave Morrissey
Group: First United Methodist – West Chicago
Years Volunteered for DuPagePads: 25+
Dave Morrissey has been a leader at the First United Methodist Church for over 25 years, assisting with both the opening and clean-up shifts. Despite having challenging work obligations, Dave always adjusts his schedule so that he can volunteer. In addition to his dedication, Dave shows compassion to all of DuPagePads program participants. “When I was recovering from health issues, Dave covered my 3-4 shifts per month, in addition to the shifts he was already committed to. I don’t know what I would have done without him, he is my ‘volunteer of the year,’ ” one nominator wrote.
Bob Spitzer
Group: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church – Glen Ellyn
Years Volunteered for DuPagePads: 7
Bob Spitzer participates as the Support Coordinator October-April and is a Site Coordinator over the summer. He volunteers for the challenging-to-fill overnight shifts. Not only has Bob inspired his team, but he has mentored other group leaders on best practices. An advocate for our mission, Bob has recruited other faith-based communities, some of whom have gone on to host their own overnight site. “Bob truly has a heart for the homeless and spends a fair amount of his personal time counseling and supporting DuPagePads participants. He is one of the most dedicated people I have ever met,” one nominator wrote.
DuPagePads is currently seeking volunteers for the summer months; contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information: 630.682.3846, ext. 3500 or volunteer@dupagepads.org.