An Exemplary Volunteer

" Practise your humanity daily. Practise that truth. Let it power your decisions, let it inspire your thoughts, let it shape your ideals. Then you will soar. You will fly. And you will help others soar and fly." Yo Yo Ma

Joan Eickelberg was a volunteer for Chess Without Borders for several years allowing her to develop a special relationship with other youth and adult volunteers. She was a unique artist who combined rare qualities of generosity, care, a fierce interest in people and intelligence.

Joan was introduced to chess by her family who immigrated from Germany. However although she said " it was my dream to open a chess club" there was hardly anyone playing chess in the area. Joan was a curious person, very alert to her environment and people around her. One day in 2008 while grocery shopping in a neighborhood close to her she was delighted to notice a chess photo exhibit there. She pursued this lead and connected with Chess Without Borders, a local grassroots chess program in the northwest suburban area of Chicago. The program was created by a young student, Rishi Sethi with the mission of combining chess education with service and philanthropy. In 2007 GM Shuman adopted the program as it had expanded to over 20 local schools. Joan loved the concept of combining chess with youth entrepreneurship. She became an active participant in all chess activities and soon started her own chess club at St Matthews Lutheran Church with the help of her husband Henry and other volunteers. Both Joan and Henry advanced their chess knowledge and learned along side their club members. Joans enthusiasm was infectious and soon she organized official USCF chess tournaments at the church that gave many players an opportunity to advance their chess skills. Over 80 students participated in the tournaments each time and 100% of the proceeds from the tournaments were donated to charity each time.

Joan and Henry were remarkable volunteers. Not only were they the organizers of the club but they cultivated valuable friendships and supported Chess Without Borders in all its endeavors. She was charismatic and attracted other volunteers. She recruited her grandchildren to volunteer. In fact the logo of Chess Without Borders was designed by her granddaughter Jessica and Joseph Ridgway has stunned many families with his chess photographs over the years. To visit Joseph's photography go to: https://www.jlridgwayphoto.com...

Joan being entrepreneurial herself she was fascinated by youth learning to serve and always generous about mentoring youth volunteers. She loved "the idea of using chess to raise funds and teach kids how to love service". She was so active even on her wheelchair that sometimes the batteries would go out but she was undaunted.

Joan was always curious and involved in the lives of others. In her last conversation months before she died she was delighted that youth volunteers were helping a young Sudanese refugee family assimilate in the US by arranging donations for furnishing their home. They needed a 2nd hand car and Joan suggested "have a chess tournament to raise money for a car. I wish I could help".

To make her wish come true Chess Without Borders will host a charity chess tournament at Grove Avenue Elementary School on September 10th 2022. All proceeds after expenses will be donated towards purchasing a 2nd hand car for this refugee family. Talented cook Zein Bertacchi will make her homemade special middle east dishes on site so please join us for a meal if not for chess.

Continuing in the tradition of supporting youth entrepreneurs Barrington High School students, James Zhang and Anthony Zhu will be the project leaders for the tournament.

Here is a short video about Joan:

Please contact chesswob@gmail.com for details or visit www.shulmanchess.com for registration.