Lake Forest Salutes the Volunteer Leader of the Year

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

On Friday May 4th we held our “Volunteer/Leadership Appreciation” event with nearly 100 attendees from more than a dozen nonprofit groups in Lake Forest –

• 4th of July Parade Committee
• STARS
• Senior Advisory Group
• Kiwanis
• Soroptimists International
• Pet Adoption Center
• LF USMC Support Committee
• Chamber of Commerce
• Grab and Go First Responder Support Group
• Boys and Girls Club
• Sun and Sail Women’s Club
• Chamber of Commerce
• Lake Forest Garden Club

At the meeting we introduced the “Mayor’s Award for the Volunteer Leader of the Year”, a tradition which Mayor Pro Tem Basile and I hope continues. I nicknamed it “The Drink”, in honor of Myron Drinkwater who was a volunteer at the Senior Center and in the Parade Committee, and who passed away just a few months ago. Myron’s picture accompanies this article, in addition to the award winner.

It wasn’t easy choosing a winner. So many people do so much. Many of them participate in several groups –

• Stan Yombo – Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce
• Col. Tom Cagley – Council and LF USMC Support Committee
• Larissa Clark - Parade Committee and Recall Committee
• Jean Mastropietro - Soroptimists and Parade Committee
• Anne Breuer - Soroptimists, Garden Club, HOA 1 Board
• Tibby Montgomery –Soroptimists and Parade Committee
• Patti Farina - Soroptimists and Parade Committee
• Diane Ealy - Chamber of Commerce and Soroptimists

“Only a life lived for others is worth living.” — Albert Einstein

But one person stood out for several reasons – length of service, diversity, and central role.

JOHN IRISH

No one can imagine the 4th of July Parade without John Irish. He has been at the helm for more than a decade. And the 4th of July Parade has not been his only service. He was on the Parks Commission and also served on the Citizen Traffic Advisory Group. Our City is much richer as a result of John’s selfless actions. And although she didn’t receive the award, everyone knows that John would never be able to do what’s he’s done without his wife, Rosalie.

"I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.” — Thomas Jefferson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest where he serves as Mayor. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His Twitter handle is @DrJimGardner. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a town hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be May 17 at 7 pm at the Lake 1 Clubhouse (Ridge Route).