 |
| JoAnn Slezak, 2010 B & B co-chair, was visiting from her new South Carolina home and surprised everyone by attending the luncheon. Here she is with Heather Laughman, a busy mom who balances kids' activites, ALCW secretarial duties and co-chairmanship of Operation New Start. |
 |
| Nancy Newell is our "sunshine lady", the one who so graciously sends out cards on special occasion. She is looking forward to her son's New Year's Eve wedding. Thanks to VP membership Trish Reider for all she does, from welcoming new members to planning today's delicious luncheon menu from Taste of Home. |
After a hectic autumn of coats fittings,
kitchen and backpack deliveries, reading in schools and the massive undertaking that is Books & Brunch, members relaxed and kibitzed with friends. Doesn't everyone look well-rested and fabulous!
The captions are by no means a full biography of any member's ALCW involvement, but just
some "off the top of my head" recollections. We missed and value those members who weren't at the luncheon and know your involvement is just as important as those mentioned here.
As I took photos and gazed around the room at all the wonderful women present and those absent but in our thoughts, I felt honored to be a part of such a group that truly cares for the less fortunate and generously gives their time to help. Writing a check is easy compared to the countless hours it takes to personally fit one child at a time into a coat and make each one feel valued with a special word or two. We may never know the difference we truly make in a child's life beyond the material things we provide in winter wear, books or kitchen essentials. These things could be the impetus to higher learning or what it takes to keep them out of a shelter and on to a better life.
So as we ring in 2012, wherever we may be, let's raise a glass to ALCW and the beginning of a new year. -- Marianne Cortopassi
 |
| Three ladies who are active in every aspect of Assistance League - Becky Moats, Phyllis Young and Linda Legner. Becky is always ready to lend a helping hand with a big smile and kind words. Phyllis, Operation Early Reading co-chair, is the 2011 Ada Edwards Laughman Award recipient, coined ADA for the rest of this blog entry. Linda, our professional writer, B & B author liaison, Operation School Bell co-chair and 2009 ADA, lives next door to hostess Meg Cooper and remembers welcoming Meg to her back door while still knee deep in boxes. What a friendship that has become! |
 |
| Caught long time friends Laurie Cleary and Pat Mrozek catching up on their children's lives. Laurie, VP Donor Development, was the 2010 B & B co-chair and continues to be an integral part of the fundraiser. Pat's vibrant personality makes her a great B & B raffle ticket sales person and ALCW volunteer. |
 |
| Many people tried to take my camera, but only one succeeded so here I am (Marianne Cortopassi) with Diane Kurtz and Mary Parsons. Diane is a newer member who has jumped right in (to everything). Mary is co-chairing Operation New Start with Heather and getting involved with local food pantries and our collaborators. She is always our best membership ambassador, encouraging her many friends to join ALCW. |
 |
| Trish Reider with Joanna Williams, our immediate past treasurer who gladly pitches in to help Ricki Lessig when needed. Dee Dugo, a former B & B chair, is using her business savvy to upgrade our image with everything from magnetic name badges to ALCW bags for B & B attendees. |
 |
| Carla Feinkind is chatting with Ly Hotchkin, an ALCW supporter and friend to many. Ly is former director of The Hinsdale Community House and well respected in the community. Carla hardly skipped a beat as ALCW president following a serious surgery. She is a caring and dynamic leader who likes shaking things up and bringing out the best in everyone. |
 |
| Ricki Lessig is our accounting whiz, very adept at managing the financial end of ALCW, researching new ideas and procedures and best of all, she always answers email questions within minutes. Ricki, 2008 ADA, is with Diane Mrozek (see more about Diane below) and JoAnn Slezak |
 |
| Past presidents Madelon Pearlman (2004-2006) and Marguerite Spangehl (2008-2010) launched a profitable eBay venture with Usha Swamy. These ladies are always a good source of information and ideas. |
 |
| Kathy Motherway, a newer member has become an avid volunteer and friend to all. Marie Rossi travels alot but always comes home to ALCW. Last winter, she recommended ALCW as the recipient of the Edgewood Valley Country Club's holiday bazaar, a simple act that put $4,000 in our coffers and a nice holiday luncheon for members who attended. Thanks, Marie! |
 |
| Dee Dugo with Linda Gonnella, Operation School Bell co-chair. Linda is a founding member of the Chicagoland Chapter AND our signature Books & Brunch fundraiser. Members rallied around Linda this fall when her husband Lou "the miracle man", became seriously ill - then recovered. |
 |
| Heather Laughman with Maureen Hegarty, one half of the amazing and amazingly calm Books & Brunch leadership team. "Mo the dynamo" in ability and personality has worn many hats during her ALCW years and was the VP Membership who welcomed me in. |
 |
| I could write a book about these ladies. Marie Raffl knows everyone in the western suburbs, from shop owners to florists to friends - and uses her persuasive skills for the good of ALCW. She is our immediate past secretary, 2007 ADA and one of our most enthusiastic volunteers. Meg Cooper, the other half of the B & B leadership team, is current VP Event Fundraising, a past president (2006-2008) and most likely, has held every board position at one time or another. She is also a efficient graphic designer and website whiz. I would be inclined to say, "Meg never sleeps", but after sharing a room at the National Conference, I know she does. |
 |
| An uninvited guest tried to crash the luncheon, but munched on some parsley instead. |
 |
| Diane Mrozek with Maureen Hegarty. Diane, a 2006 ADA and the current VP Philanthropy, knows how to get things done. Everyone was skeptical when she planned a raffle basket wrapping in her basement a couple weeks before B & B, but it happened and our baskets were the most beautiful ever - the silent auction was great too. Diane also has a soft spot in her heart for the Canticle Place residents and planned the Operation Friendship Secret Santa visit with Betty Cronin - among all the other things she does, including enlisting her husband, son and friends to move coats from our storeroom to the office Thanksgiving weekend! |
 |
| Everyone was happy to see Roseanne Nash at the luncheon, shown here with Marguerite Spangehl. Roseanne has bounced back from some health issues and comes out to support ALCW when she can. |
 |
| Marie Raffl and Madelon Pearlman |
 |
| Kathy Motherway and Diane Kurtz |
 |
| Mary Parsons and Becky Moats |
 |
| Judy Casten with Carla Feinkind and Meg Cooper Judy, immediate past VP Donor Development and Ly Hotchkin's very good friend, has cultivated valuable relationships for ALCW within the greater Hinsdale community. We missed Judy at B & B, but she was doing something of far greater importance, supporting a friend with cervical cancer, who was paddleboarding on the Ganges River to raise money and awareness. To learn more, go to http://starryganga.com/ |
 |
| No rest for the money people! Ricki Lessig and a very serious Joanna Williams find it easy to work after a little wine, good food and the great camaraderie of ALCW friends. The rest of us went home and took a nap. |
