Tom Christiansen Named to Community Service Honor Roll

The Des Plaines Park District named a new member to the Community Service Honor Roll at the Park Board meeting in January. Tom Christiansen was recognized for dedicating his time, talents, and energy over many years of service to the Park District, the City, and the community of Des Plaines.

Donald Miletic, Executive Director of the Des Plaines Park District, presented Mr. Christiansen with his award, and praised him for the innumerable hours he has spent volunteering for Des Plaines service organizations and at countless community events. Tom has been an integral part of the Taste of Des Plaines, Fall Fest, the Izaak Walton League, and a wide variety of Chamber of Commerce events, including a long tenure as Santa at City Hall, the Des Plaines Public Library, Lake Wonderland and Winter Wonderland. Christiansen is a former Alderman from the 2nd Ward of the City of Des Plaines, and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Concern, and as President of Des Plaines History Center Board of Trustees.

In order to be eligible for the Community Service Honor Roll, a non-paid volunteer must live within the Des Plaines Park District or City of Des Plaines boundaries during their time of service to the community. The award is presented every two years. Past recipients have included Donald Rosedale (2013), Steven Adams and Karen Briskey, (2011) Bob Neil and Margaret Polovchak (2008), Carol Shannon (2006), and members of the Special Events Commission, Youth Commission, Youth Sports, Des Plaines Garden Club, and School Districts 62 and 207.

Mr. Christiansen’s name now appears on two Honor Roll Plaques located at the Park District’s Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., and the Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St.

For more information about the Community Honor Roll, call Donald Miletic at 847-391-5700.

Photo: Gene Haring