MILITARY CO-HERO
Presented by: FlagSource
Presented to: Lt. Jonathon Monken

Lt. Jonathon Monken

A 1998 graduate of St. Charles High School, Lt. Jonathon Monken graduated West Point Military Academy in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Kosovo, where he served as Military liaison with local community and school officials.

In that capacity, he became extremely concerned about the poor condition of the schools he visited and founded the Kosovo Education Initiative in response. Jon worked to secure financial backing from numerous sources including his father's Rotary Club in St. Charles. Eventually, he collected $20,000 which was then distributed to superintendents of the local Muslim and Christian schools alike.

In February '04, Jonathon was deployed to Iraq where he worked as Support Platoon Commander for a base that serves 600 outside Baqubah. To ensure the physical and mental health of the soldiers, it is essential for them to have access to exercise equipment - equipment which was lacking at that particular base. Again in response to a very real need, Lt. Monken "went to work" and through fund-raisers back home, was able to purchase in excess of $5,000 worth of exercise equipment which was subsequently shipped to his base.

And those are just the highlights of numerous service projects Lt. Monken has performed both in this country and abroad. He is currently stationed in Vilsek, Germany, with the 2nd Battalion of the 63rd Armored Regiment in the First Infantry Division, which is why he was unable to join us today.
In his stead, Jon's parents Jon and Virginia are here to accept the award on his behalf. Understandably, they are quite proud of their son. So are we!

MILITARY CO-HERO
Presented by: FlagSource
Presented to: John Carr

John Carr

A Vietnam veteran, Batavian John Carr first became involved with veterans' assistance by volunteering to drive veterans to their appointments at Chicago area veterans' hospitals. That commitment eventually led to a career which has culminated in his current position as superintendent of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission.

Operated for veterans by veterans, the Commission helps county veterans secure educational benefits, GI home loans, disability compensation, pensions, DVA hospitalizations and more. Additionally, the Commission provides non-emergency transportation to veterans' medical centers and operates an emergency financial assistance program.

Aside from providing faultless leadership for day-to-day operations of the Commission, John has spent the last five years on a personal mission -- the planning and construction of a permanent memorial to more than 800 Kane County veterans who died in the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam, Gulf War and Iraq. His relentless research has yielded the name, date and place of death, and place of burial plus two sources of verification for each and every veteran honored.

Culminating his life-long dream, the $800,000 memorial was dedicated November 11, 2004. To be sure, none of this would have happened had it not been for the personal commitment, leadership and hard work of John Carr, co-winner of this year's Military Hometown Hero Award.

COMMUNITY SAFETY HERO
Presented by: Shodeen Family Foundation
Presented to: Fred W. Tichenor

Fred W. Tichenor

Officer Fred W. Tichenor is a part-time police officer with the Elburn Police Department and has been since 1994. He also serves as the department's representative member of the Kane County Fire Investigation Task Force as well as an evidence technician and investigator. That in itself is admirable.

But that's in no way all Officer Tichenor does to insure the safety of his fellow citizens at the county, state and national levels.
Fred has also been a full-time fireman with the Geneva Fire Department for 14 years, serving as a lieutenant and specializing in Arson Investigation and Scuba Rescue.

He's also been a part-time police officer with the Sugar Grove Police Department for the past three years. There, he also serves as an investigator in addition to his patrol duties.

And still that's not all he has done to keep the public safe. A 23 year veteran of the U.S. Army, he served at one time or another as a member of the 1/509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, 389th Military Intelligence Unit, 223 Military Police Company, 12th Special Forces Group, 20th Special Forces Group and Special Operations Command Central.

Fred's sense of duty peaked on 9/11 when, in response to the terrorist attacks, he volunteered to go back to active duty to defend his country. His wish was granted and he subsequently served in Afghanistan and Iraq for a year.

In short, when it comes to patriotism, Fred "bleeds red, white and blue." When it comes to heroes, he's even more impressive!

COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO
Presented by: Havlicek Builders
Presented to: Robert Miller

Robert Miller

A former major league pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds, Bob Miller is also a Chairman Emeritus of the Major League Baseball Alumni Association. In fact, he is credited with rescuing the Association from sure financial ruin and, thereby, saving the pension of thousands of retired players.

It's this same can-do spirit and effectiveness that Bob brings to every project he undertakes, including many to benefit numerous charities, organizations and agencies - Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, Northwestern Memorial Cancer Center, Special Olympics of N.E. Illinois, Athletes Against Drugs, Norris Cultural Arts Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Walter Payton Cancer Foundation and the Ron Santo Juvenile Diabetes Golf Classic to name but a few of many.

Possibly Bob's strongest attribute is that he inspires others to do more by being a living example of achievement for the sole purpose of benefiting others. Indeed, dispensing good will has become his way of life just as going from one worthy cause to another has become his purpose.

If it seems like Bob Miller is "everywhere," that's because he is. And he no doubt will continue to be as he works to enrich and strengthen many organizations in our communities and elsewhere. Wherever he turns up, however, it's a safe bet someone will be better off for it.

Few people can say that. Bob Miller lives it as evidenced by his selection as the 2005 Community Impact Hero.

MEDICAL HERO
Presented by: Delnor-Community Hospital
Presented to: Dr. Karen Maloney

Dr. Karen Maloney

A respected St. Charles dermatologist by day, Dr. Karen Maloney is being recognized as the 2005 Medical Hero mostly for what she does on her off hours.

Nominated last year for her work with "A Light to the Nation," a host program for Ukranian orphans living in the United States, Dr. Maloney this year began a personal crusade to help the homeless.

Using a donated van which she converted to a functioning medical van on wheels, Dr. Maloney makes weekly trips to downtown Chicago to feed and care for homeless children and adults alike.

In addition to cooking large quantities of food herself, she also collects an assortment of gently used clothing and brings the items to people living on the streets. Not surprisingly, Dr. Maloney has also been known to house some homeless families in St. Charles, as well.

Recently, she acquired a school bus which she is now converting into a mobile hotel for the needy, a place where they can find temporary shelter, heat and food when need be,

Remember - this is all in addition to her day job as a busy Tri-Cities physician!

Congratulations, Dr. Maloney, for all you have done to deserve being named this year's Medical Hometown Hero. You may not do this work for accolades, but you deserve them nonetheless!

EDUCATION HERO
Presented by: Colonial Cafe & Ice Cream
Presented to: Glenwood School House Parents

Glenwood School House Parents

Glenwood School focuses its services on a very specific population - children whose futures are threatened by their surroundings.
These children may come from single-parent homes, impoverished environments, or both. Their parents may be coping with serious issues - illness, abuse, divorce and desertion to name but a few - while also struggling with many community-related problems like gangs, drugs, and violence. Left to their own devices, these at-risk children could easily succumb to a life of academic failure, substance abuse, crime.

While the Glenwood children are blessed with many people who positively impact their lives, none are more important than their House Parents - married couples with children of their own. They become extended families to the Glenwood students and, in the process, not only support them in their social, emotional, moral and physical development, but also provide active role models for healthy relationships.

To be sure, being a Glenwood House Parent is no easy task. Each couple is charged with 10 to 12 children (in addition to their own). Many have even left lucrative jobs just so they can positively impact the lives of young people. For them, the price of such commitment can be especially staggering.

Unless you consider the results - young people who feel respected and valued, families made proud by the accomplishments of their children, and children who grow into successful adults capable of making positive contributions to society. We owe the House Parents at Glenwood School a big debt of gratitude for those results, which is why they have been chosen to be the first-ever winners of the Education Hero Award.

YOUTH GOOD SAMARITAN HERO
Presented by: Gordon Flesch Co.
Presented to: Nick Perez

Nick Perez

Even better than a Hometown Hero, Nick Perez is the embodiment of brotherly love - quite literally, in fact.

By all accounts a shy teenager, Nick has nonetheless captured the attention of adults for the kindness, caring and patience he shows his brother Richie on a daily basis.

Perhaps the best way to describe this year's Youth Good Samaritan is to quote from the nomination form submitted by Ellen Huxtable of Batavia: "Nick's youngest brother is a special needs third grade student. Every day, Nick meets Richie at 3:25 to take him home. While this alone is an admirable commitment, what makes Nick truly special is the great maturity he demonstrates and the great love he obviously has for his brother.

Nick is never abrupt or impatient, even if the temperature is below zero or there is a downpour in progress. He is unfailingly gentle and caring, bundling up his brother or holding the umbrella over Richie while he himself goes hatless and unprotected. He also rejoices in Richie's accomplishments, proudly pointing out that while his family is bi-lingual, Richie is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and ASL.

Without pretention, Nick demonstrates the daily caring, good samaritan spirit to which many of us aspire but most fall short. What's more, he does it all without fanfare and without expectation of recognition. He is truly an inspiration to all of us who have the privilege of witnessing his commitment, caring and kindness in action."

We couldn't have said it better - or be more proud to recognize Nick Perez of Batavia as the 2005 Youth Good Samaritan!

ADULT GOOD SAMARITAN HERO
Presented by: Zimmerman Ford
Presented to: Doug Peterson

Doug Peterson

Approximately 15 years ago, Doug Peterson of Maple Park suffered a brain aneurysm. That he survived the often fatal event is itself a miracle. But the story doesn't stop there.

On March 22nd, 90-year-old Maple Park resident Alice Schroyer was stopped at a railroad crossing waiting for a Union Pacific train to pass. Somehow, her 1991 Buick Century rolled forward and clipped the passing train. As a result, her car was dragged for approximately 1,500 feet before becoming stuck on the tracks with her pinned inside.

Despite having residual mobility problems caused by the aneurysm, Doug was somehow able to respond when, on his way to the Maple Park Post Office, he saw a seemingly abandoned car on the rail road tracks in the path of a second speeding freight train. He went home, called 911, and on his way back to the post office suddenly heard faint cries for help coming from the car.

Though the details remain foggy, Doug was somehow able to grab Ms. Schroyer and pull her to safety seconds before the second train hit her car. Though car parts went flying, both she and Doug survived. Had he not intervened, Ms. Schroyer would have faced certain death.

If Doug Peterson's actions aren't the living definition of an Adult Good Samaritan, we'd be hard pressed to say what is. He was at the right place at the right time with the right amount of courage and that's precisely why he's a Hometown Hero we're proud to celebrate.