Above / The Education Center will honor Stephanie Jones Kastelic and Jeffrey Kastelic with its “Kids Best Friend Award” during festivities on October 14 at the Hilton.
On October 14, The Education Center of Developmental Resources once again will host the annual Kids’ Best Friend Benefit and Awards Dinner, a time to highlight the contributions of individuals who support the community.
The six 2016 honorees are:
- Kids’ Best Friend Award –Jeffrey and Stephanie Jones Kastelic
- Outstanding Community Leader Award – Commander Ken Parcel
- Making a Difference Award – Kitty Ryan
- George and Pat Pradel Humanitarian Award- Nick and Teresa Ryan
“Naperville is blessed with individuals who do so much to help others,” said Dr. Michael Litow, founder and executive director of The Education Center. “Once again we want to spotlight the efforts of local people who give back to the community and make the world a better place for kids and families.”
Kids’ Best Friend Award
This year’s Kids’ Best Friends are Jeffrey and Stephanie Jones Kastelic. The Kastelics are well known in the community for their volunteer work with numerous nonprofits and church groups. Jeff has coached Naperville Little League and has been deeply involved with Knights of Columbus at St. Raphael Catholic Church.
Stephanie serves on the board of directors for Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center and the committee of the “Silent Samaritan Breakfast.” She has been a dedicated member of the St. Patrick’s Residence Guild since 1996, serving as treasurer and vice president for over 12 years. She has also chaired and co-chaired the guild’s largest fundraiser, the St. Patrick’s Day Party. A former board member of the Ecumenical Adult Care Center, Naperville United Way, and Naperville Community Outreach, Stephanie is also known to many families as the thoughtful co-owner and pre-planning consultant at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home. (See featured photo at top.)
Outstanding Community Leader Award
Commander Ken Parcel of the Naperville Police Department says he is humbled to receive the Community Leader Award. His 27-year career on behalf of youth and families has been exemplary.
After years of working to stop a heroine spike among teens and dealing with kids in crisis as a detective in charge of youth investigations, Parcel wanted to also work with kids on a friendlier turf. He joined the board of KidsMatter and soon took a leadership role in brainstorming and promoting what is now known as the KidsMatter Skaters’ Picnic. This annual event takes place at the Centennial Beach Skate Park during the Last Fling.
Making a Difference Award
Kitty Ryan, assistant superintendent for elementary education for Naperville Community Unit School District 203, is this year’s recipient of the Making a Difference Award. She has served as assistant superintendent for almost a decade and began her career in District 203 as a third grade teacher in 1988.
In her role as the assistant superintendent for elementary education, Kitty supervises early childhood through fifth grade elementary principals and works to support the day-to-day operations of Naperville District 203 schools. This highly respected educator advocates for programs that empower students, parents, staff, and the community. Kitty Ryan also volunteers with the Nicarico Fund for Literacy and serves on the board of directors of the DuPage Children’s Museum.
George and Pat Pradel Humanitarian Award
Teresa and Nick Ryan are being honored with this year’s George and Pat Pradel Humanitarian Award. While many local residents know Nick as the co-founder of the Marquette Companies and Teresa as managing broker/owner of Ryan Hill Realty, friends who know them well recognize this successful couple as inspiring humanitarians for their tireless work on behalf of children, families – and nature. Both of them live by the credo, “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” They both have a passion for young people and believe in giving them a “hand up” through education and opportunity and helping families to envision and realize their dreams.
Together, the Ryans have been involved coaching youth sports teams with the Naperville Park District, supporting the YMCA, and working with volunteers at Community Christian Church to help missions in the Philippines and Africa and to fight illicit trafficking of girls in those countries. They are also involved in their church’s Student Community (StuCo) Program. Members of StuCo helped form Food Fight which has provided over one million meals worldwide. The Institute for Community recently expanded internationally, supporting the mission of Casa de Luz in Honduras which provides education and family support services.
The Kids’ Best Friend Awards Benefit
The Kids’ Best Friend Benefit and Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, October 14, in the Hilton Lisle/Naperville Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $125 per person and include a cocktail reception, dinner, and live and silent auctions. The reception begins at 5:30PM.
For more information, contact the center at (630) 420-7807 or visit www.theeducationcenter.org. The Education Center is located at 113 East Van Buren in Naperville.
Story and photos submitted by Clare Communications for The Education Center.
