Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield Honors Youth Leaders with 4th Annual Steve Adams Award Chloe’s Crew Recognized, Along with 4 Young Local Students

April 7, 2011 (Winnetka, IL)  At its weekly lunch meeting at the Winnetka Community House, the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield presented the fourth annual Steve Adams Young Citizens Award to Chloe’s Crew and four local students who contributed to the charitable foundation’s work.

Chloe’s Crew is a non-profit charitable organization created to remember and honor Chloe Swama.  “Everyone has a light inside of them, sometimes that light is harsh or even glaring! But then there are those who glow with a warm and radiant light. That kind of individual is rare and has the ability to illuminate others. One such person was Chloe Sawma, a little girl with a generous and giving spirit,” said Joan Evanich of the Rotary Club while presenting the award. 

“Chloe was a fourth grader at Sacred Heart School when she lost her battle with brain cancer.  Warm and empathetic before she was diagnosed, she continued to think of others even while her own struggle was most difficult, said Ms. Evanich.  “ Seeing a homeless man outside the hospital where she received her chemo treatments inspired her to bring him lunches.  Seeing other sick and unhappy children inspired her to provide hope and encouragement.  Chloe’s Crew was established to continue her legacy of giving and love; to continue her mission of impacting the daily lives of people in need through random acts of love and kindness. Chloe’s light shines on.”

In accepting the award on behalf of Chloe and her crew, Chloe’s mother Victoria Sawma told the club stories about Chloe’s empathy and “service above self” approach to life.  She also introduced Ryan Flanagan, Annie Poggioli, Kiersten Joyce, Mary Kate Byrne, students at Sacred Heart School who initiated a fundraising project with handmade bracelets which were sold at the first annual Skip in the Park family event held last fall.  All proceeds were donated to the Chloe’s Crew fund for providing random acts of kindness and basic essentials for those in need.

The Steve Adams award is named after community leader/volunteer, Steve Adams who was the embodiment of “Service Above Self.” Steve’s particular interest was the youth of Winnetka and Northfield. He served on the Winnetka School Board, the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood and was instrumental in making the Schmidt-Burnham Log House a learning resource for the community. The award is given by the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield each year to children of Winnetka and Northfield in grades 5-8 who have participated in a significant service project that has positively impacted our local, national or international community. Service project categories include: Environment, Literacy/Education, Disaster Relief, Community Improvement, Public Health/Safety and Aid to People in Need.  A permanent plaque with the names of each annual recipient is on display in the Winnetka Community House.

The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield meets Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:30 at the Winnetka Community House for lunch and a speaker.  Membership is open to service oriented residents and workers of the area.  Guests are welcome to attend.  To learn more about the club, its schedule of lunch programs and its charitable and service programs, visit www.wnrotary.org.